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BIPoC Committee
BIPoC Committee
Our Mission
The BIPoC Committee is dedicated to fostering an inclusive, equitable, and respectful working environment for all our members; we aim/pledge to contribute to a more just and equitable working environment where all members can thrive and feel fully included.
We strive to:
- Bring awareness about racial and cultural issues by providing resources and training to enhance understanding and combat biases.
- Work towards ensuring that the voices and perspectives of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color are heard, valued, and represented at all levels.
- Offer support to our members by addressing their needs and concerns and advocating for their professional growth.
- Attract and retain members through a healthy hiring practice, while also promoting proportional representation at all levels.
- Assess and contribute to McInnes Cooper’s progress towards its diversity and inclusion goals and policies, while identifying areas of improvement.
In 2021, Halifax McInnes Cooper’s BIPoC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour) members organized and formed the firm’s BIPoC committee. Since then, the committee has grown and now includes BIPoC members from all offices across the Atlantic Region.
The committee’s mandate includes collective efforts to eliminate discrimination at all levels by:
- Providing a community and support system for BIPoC members,
- Identifying issues that affect different BIPoC communities,
- Advocating for cultural change; and
- Learning, celebrating, and sharing the histories of our BIPoC members.
The committee recognizes there are multiple dimensions and unique challenges given the complex and intersectional nature of diversity, equity and inclusion.
Members of the BIPoC committee are additionally active within the firm Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility (“IDEA”) Working Group and contribute their time and knowledge in advancing McInnes Cooper’s IDEA initiative as part of the firm’s strategic plan.
Members
Our members are dedicated to ensuring that the firm’s BIPOC community is recognized, heard, and included. We provide a safe environment for BIPOC members to share their lived experiences and express themselves through monthly meetings and social events. We collectively work to educate all firm members on the significance of diversity, equity and inclusion. Additionally, we collaborate with and support the community at large on BIPOC initiatives.
BIPOC members collaborate with the firm to review policies and offer insights to advance McInnes Cooper’s Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility (IDEA) initiatives. Furthermore, BIPOC members actively participate in the firm’s IDEA Working Group.
For any inquiries, please contact Angela Williams or Kemi Fagade.
Achievements
We work on various initiatives to advance our efforts. Our achievements include:
- Established a network of firm BIPoC members that offers opportunities to build relationships while supporting the firm’s IDEA objectives.
- Engaging with the Firm Management team to address issues such as improving work experience, creating a safe space for dialogue, and policy review processes for BIPoC MC members.
- Engaged with BIPOC recruitment to facilitate supportive processes and hiring initiatives.
- Attended various conferences and summits, funded by the firm, focusing on BIPoC issues.
- Created Social opportunities to have meaningful interactions with BIPoC members which includes our annual BIPoC retreat. In 2022, the annual BIPoC Holiday Reception was established to provide an opportunity for BIPoC community members of the legal profession to connect, network and cultivate a sense of community.
