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At Ongig, we like to celebrate all people. So I created this list of 50+ inclusive quotes about diversity and inclusion to celebrate our differences.
They are from CEOs, world leaders, writers, actors, activists, and more. I hope enjoy these inclusiveness quotes!
Quotes About Diversity and Inclusion in the Workplace
Many organizations have achieved business success by motivating the best talent from diverse groups. Let’s start the list with some inclusivity quotes and quotes about inclusion and diversity at work:
“D&I needs to be something that every single employee at the company has a stake in.”
— Bo Young Lee, Uber Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer
“We’re at a moment in time when companies aren’t going to tolerate not having a diverse slate; it truly puts them at risk”
— Ayana Parsons, Korn Ferry Board Leader
“You can’t categorize diversity based on what a person looks like. It’s what that person can do for the organization.”
— Charles K Poole, Author
“We know that diversity can sometimes be more uncomfortable because things are less familiar – but it gets the best results.”
— Megan Smith, Chief Technology Officer of the United States and Assistant to President President Barack Obama
“We have a very diverse environment and a very inclusive culture and those characteristics got us through the tough times. Diversity generated a better strategy, better risk management, better debates, and better outcomes.”
— Alan Joyce, CEO of Qantas
“Diversity and Inclusion is a competitive advantage that a smart leader would not overlook.”
— Brian Ka Chan, Human Rights Activist
“Many conversations about diversity and inclusion do not happen in the boardroom because people are embarrassed at using unfamiliar words or afraid of saying the wrong thing — yet this is the very place we need to be talking about it. The business case speaks for itself — diverse teams are more innovative and successful in going after new markets.”
— Inga Beale, British Businesswoman (former CEO of Lloyd’s London)
“If you hire only those people you understand, the company will never get people better than you are. Always remember that you often find outstanding people among those you don’t particularly like.”
— Soichiro Honda, Japanese Engineer
“Diversity, or the state of being different, isn’t the same as inclusion. One is a description of what is, while the other describes a style of interaction essential to effective teams and organizations.”
— Bill Crawford, Psychologist
“Diversity really means becoming complete as human beings – all of us. We learn from each other. If you’re missing on that stage, we learn less. We all need to be on that stage.”
— Juan Felipe Herrera, Poet
General Quotes About Diversity
Here are some general quotes about diversity, including our favorite “our differences make us stronger” quote and quotes about embracing differences:
“Strength lies in differences, not in similarities.”
— Stephen R. Covey, American Educator & Author
“Infinite diversity in infinite combinations…
— Commander Spock, Star Trek
symbolizing the elements that create truth and beauty.”
“When we’re talking about diversity, it’s not a box to check. It is a reality that should be deeply felt and held and valued by all of us.”
— Ava Duvernay, American Filmmaker
“Our ability to reach unity in diversity will be the beauty and the test of our civilization.”
— Mahatma Gandhi, Indian lawyer
“The minute we become an integrated whole, we look through the same eyes and we see a whole different world together.”
— Azizah Al-Hibri, American Philosopher
“A diverse mix of voices leads to better discussions, decisions, and outcomes for everyone.”
— Sundar Pichai, CEO at Alphabet
“If you believe, as we believe, that diversity leads to better products, and we’re all about making products that enrich people’s lives, then you obviously put a ton of energy behind diversity the same way you would put a ton of energy behind anything else that is truly important.”
— Tim Cook, CEO of Apple
“Diversity is about all of us, and about us having to figure out how to walk through this world together.”
— Jacqueline Woodson, American Writer
“We need to give each other the space to grow, to be ourselves, to exercise our diversity. We need to give each other space so that we may both give and receive such beautiful things as ideas, openness, dignity, joy, healing, and inclusion.”
— Max de Pree, American Writer
“Diversity may be the hardest thing for a society to live with, and perhaps the most dangerous thing for a society to be without.”
— William Sloane Coffin Jr., Peace Activist
“If you haven’t hired a team of people who are of color, female, and/or LGBT to actively turn over every stone, to scope out every nook and cranny, to pop out of every bush, to find every qualified underrepresented founder in this country, you’re going to miss out on a lot of money when the rest of the investment world gets it.”
— Arlan Hamilton, Founder and Managing Partner of Backstage Capital.
“Diversity is not how we differ. Diversity is about embracing one another’s uniqueness.”
— Ola Joseph, Author & Speaker
“A lot of different flowers make a bouquet.”
— Muslim origin
“We are all different, which is great because we are all unique. Without diversity life would be very boring.”
— Catherine Pulsifer, Author
“Diversity is the magic. It is the first manifestation, the first beginning of the differentiation of a thing and of simple identity. The greater the diversity, the greater the perfection.”
— Thomas Berry , Cultural Historian
“Corporate social responsibility is measured in terms of businesses improving conditions for their employees, shareholders, communities, and environment. But moral responsibility goes further, reflecting the need for corporations to address fundamental ethical issues such as inclusion, dignity, and equality.”
— Klaus Schwab, Founder of The World Economic Forum
“What we have to do… is to find a way to celebrate our diversity and debate our differences without fracturing our communities.”
— Hillary Clinton, Politician
“It is time for parents to teach young people early on that in diversity there is beauty and there is strength.”
— Maya Angelou, Poet & Civil Rights Activist
“We have become not a melting pot but a beautiful mosaic. Different people, different beliefs, different yearnings, different hopes, different dreams.”
— Jimmy Carter, 39th U.S. President
“The greater the diversity, the greater the perfection.”
— Thomas Berry, Cultural Historian
Quotes About Diversity of Thought
Here are a few famous diversity quotes on thoughts and quotes about diversity and being inclusive:
“The freedom of thought is a sacred right of every individual man, and diversity will continue to increase with the progress, refinement, and differentiation of the human intellect.”
— Felix Adler, American Professor
“We need diversity of thought in the world to face the new challenges.”
— Tim Berners-Lee, Computer Scientist
“In today’s interconnected and globalized world, it is now commonplace for people of dissimilar world views, faiths and races to live side by side. It is a matter of great urgency, therefore, that we find ways to cooperate with one another in a spirit of mutual acceptance and respect.”
— Dalai Lama, Tibetan Buddhism Spiritual Leader
Funny Inclusion Quotes and Inclusion Sayings
As with many great things in society, the topic of diversity and inclusion can be savored with humor, as we celebrate our beautiful differences. Enjoy these funny quotes about diversity and inclusion:
“Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.”
— Albert Einstein, Physicist
“Blessed are the weird people: poets, misfits, writers, mystics, painters, troubadours for they teach us to see the world through different eyes.”
— Jacob Nordby, Author
“The point isn’t to get people to accept that they have biases, but to get them to see [for themselves] that those biases have negative consequences for others.”
—Theresa Mchenry,
VP HR of Microsoft Americas
“We could learn a lot from crayons; some are sharp, some are pretty, some are dull, while others bright, some have weird names, but they all have learned to live together in the same box.”
— Robert Fulghum, Author
“Embrace diversity: don’t hate on her because she is green.”
— Star Trek, TV Show
Short Inclusion Quotes
Sometimes meaningful quotes about diversity and inclusion are short and sweet, here are a few of those quotes about diversity and inclusion:
“Always remember that you are unique. Just like everyone else.”
— Margaret Mead, Cultural Anthropologist
“Everyone person is a new door to a different world.”
— Unknown
“Diversity is a fact. Inclusion is an act.”
— Zabeen Hirji, Global Advisor
“By domination you will not know life, only by inclusion you will know life.”
— Sadhguru, Author
“We are less when we don’t include everyone.”
— Stuart Milk, Human Rights Activist
Quotes About Inclusion (and Diversity)
Here’s a list of DEI messages and quotes about diversity and inclusion:
“We have to stop thinking about diversity and start thinking about inclusion.”
— Viola Davis, Actress & Producer
“Inclusion is not a matter of political correctness. It is the key to growth.”
— Jesse Jackson, Civil Rights Activist
“Diversity is being invited to the party; inclusion is being asked to dance.”
— Vernā Myers, American Activist
“When we listen and celebrate what is both common and different, we become a wiser, more inclusive, and better organization.”
— Pat Wadors, Chief People Officer at Procore
” Diversity is the mix. Inclusion is making the mix work.”
— Andres Tapia, Global Diversity & Inclusion Solutions Leader
“Inclusion and fairness in the workplace . . . is not simply the right thing to do; it’s the smart thing to do.”
— Alexis Herman, American Politician
“Diversity is a fact, but inclusion is a choice we make everyday. As leaders, we have to put out the message that we embrace, and not just tolerate, diversity.”
— Nellie Borrero, Senior Global Inclusion & Diversity Lead at Accenture
“We all have the ability to promote a culture of acceptance and inclusion — and that is something I believe every leader has a responsibility to do. It starts with having a dialogue until we are all comfortable and no longer have the fear of saying the wrong thing.”
— Inga Beale, British Businesswoman (former CEO of Lloyd’s London)
“Inclusivity means not ‘just we’re allowed to be there,’ but we are valued. I’ve always said: smart teams will do amazing things, but truly diverse teams will do impossible things.”
— Claudia Brind-Woody, IBM Executive
“I would not worship a God who is homophobic […] I would refuse to go to a homophobic heaven. No, I would say, ‘Sorry, I would much rather go to the other place.’”
— Desmond TuTu, South African Anglican bishop and theologian
Inspirational Quotes About Diversity
A well-structured modern organization is often characterized by a rich tapestry within a diverse workforce. Below are a few quotes about diversity and inclusivity that pack an inspirational diversity message:
“Don’t tolerate me as different. Accept me as part of the spectrum of normalcy.”
— Ann Northrop, Journalist
“To get real diversity of thought, you need to find the people who genuinely hold different views and invite them into the conversation.”
— Adam Grant, American Science Author and Professor
Quotes on Culture Diversity
Here are a few diversity sayings and quotes about diversity culture:
“We have the ability to achieve, if we master the necessary goodwill, a common global society blessed with a shared culture of peace that is nourished by the ethnic, national and local diversities that enrich our lives.”
— Mahnaz Afkhami, Iranian-American Human rights activist
“Make a career of humanity. Commit yourself to the noble struggle for equal rights. You will make a better person of yourself, a greater nation of your country, and a finer world to live in.”
— Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., American political philosopher and civil rights activist
“If you haven’t got the best talent, you’re not going to be the best. If you’re not representing properly the available pool of talent, then you’re missing an opportunity.”
–Alex Wilmot-Sitwell, partner at Perella Weinberg Partners’ Advisory
“Cultural differences should not separate us from each other, but rather cultural diversity brings a collective strength that can benefit all of humanity.” Also: “Intercultural dialogue is the best guarantee of a more peaceful, just and sustainable world.”
— Robert Alan, American writer, artist and social activist
“It is not our differences that divide us. It is our inability to recognize, accept, and celebrate those differences.“
—Audre Lorde, American writer and civil rights activist
“Our cultural strength has always been derived from our diversity of understanding and experience.”
— Yo-Yo Ma, French-Born American Cellist, United Nations Messenger of Peace
We need to reach that happy stage of our development when differences and diversity are not seen as sources of division and distrust, but of strength and inspiration.
— Josefa Iloilo, Former President of Fiji
“Where unity is missing between individuals, the resolution may be simple, but where diversity of interest is dictated by the underlying social, economic, political, or other structure of an interaction or relation, the problem of consensus and cooperation can become correspondingly complex.”
—Sun Tzu, Chinese military general, writer and, philosopher
Note: You can find more D&I quotes about equality in our post 50+ Awesome Quotes about Equality [Women, Race, LGBTQ, and More].
Inclusion and Diversity Quotes From Books
When it comes to sourcing amazing quotes, we can’t quite ignore the rich literature contributed by inspirational authors.
Here are two excerpts from books with elements of diversity and inclusion that guide readers on the root cause of love within the human family. These well-written (and somewhat abstract) narratives describe the various experiences in the lives of many people, beyond the narrow confines of his individualistic concerns to foster a sense of true belonging.
A Perfect Chord by Dr. Melanie Lotfali
The children’s book portrays diverse individuals in the making of a perfect chord (humanity as a whole). Through child-friendly inclusive language, Dr. Lotfali depicts individuals as musical notes with different tunes and having those different notes harmonizing as one.
“Each bird’s note was different from the others. Each note was beautiful. Together they made the perfect chord.”
Can You Learn to Be Lucky? By Karla Starr
Karla’s book explores unseen biases that lead to negative consequences as people embark on different roads in their lives. The insightful read unravels unconscious biases and the basic characteristic of human society known collectively as “luck.”
“Exposure to different people and experiences opens doors that would otherwise remain closed.”
Do you have any favorite quotes about Diversity & Inclusion?
This is a dynamic DEI quote list, and we want to keep adding to it. If we missed any of your favorite quotes on diversity, email Heather@ongig.com to get them added to this post.
Why I Wrote This?
Ongig’s mission is to transform your job descriptions to attract diverse talent. Our Text Analyzer software analyzes every word of your job descriptions to help support D&I in hiring.
Shout-Outs:
- Best Diversity & Inclusion Quotes (by Susanne Ricee)
- 100 Thought-Provoking Company Culture Quotes (by Vantage Circle)
- Inspirational Quotes from Bright Minds In Business and Inclusion (by Ellevate Network)
- 12 Empowering and Uplifting Quotes on Diversity & Inclusion (by Preston Ni M.S.B.A.)
- 30 Insightful Quotes on Racism and the Power of Diversity in Society (by Monique Valeris)
- How Covid Changed Executive Recruitment—Perhaps for a Long Time (by Emily Glazer)
- South Africa’s LGBTQ community hails rainbow warrior Desmond Tutu (by Yahoo! News)
- 20 Quotes Praising Cultural Diversity (by University of Florida International Center)
