Crystal Dixon: Tackling Racism, Establishing Equity

Racial inequity in the workplace is a bane and needs to be addressed, especially in this era of globalization. Equity in the workplace ideally means equal opportunity and access to resources despite your racial or ethnic background. The end goal of the phenomenon is to elevate marginalized identities to the same level that is extended to others. Crystal Dixon, racial equity consultant and founder of Mango Consulting, LLC, has been providing local, state, and national organizations guidance on integrating inclusive excellence within their workspace.  

Academic Strides  

Crystal has a master’s degree in sustainability from Wake Forest University (WFU). During her academic pursuits, she explored the intersection of environmental racism, sustainability, and public health. Additionally, Crystal is a National Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach and serves as an Assistant Professor of Practice in the Department of Health and Exercise Science at WFU. With over a decade of experience as a professor and racial equity consultant, her expertise spans a variety of sectors that are committed to their social responsibility of achieving inclusive excellence.   

In the healthcare vertical, Crystal has participated in research that addresses structural racism in the healthcare system. She has engaged in research funded by the National Institute of Health, co-authored journal articles, and presented her work to local, state, and national organizations, such as the American Public Health Association (APHA) and the Food and Drug Administration.  

Inclusive Excellence  

There is no doubt that racism has made its way into the system and manifested itself into structures and policies. With an aim to change and disrupt the prevalent systemic thinking for equitable hiring across class, race, and gender, Crystal founded Mango Consulting, LLC. She offers customized services for her clients and delivers products to meet the unique needs of organizations looking to achieve inclusive excellence, be it in the form of speaking engagements or training sessions.   

Mango Consulting provides Assessment, Consulting, Facilitation, Speaking Engagements, Health Coaching, and The Implicit Bias Training Course, among various other services to its clients. Some of Crystal’s clients include the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, WFU, and UNC Greensboro, among others. Crystal’s Implicit Bias Training Course has been adopted by UNC Greensboro School of Health and Human Sciences to increase awareness about implicit bias in the tenure and review process.   

Awards and Recognitions  

Crystal’s services have landed her awards, recognitions, and appointments to serve on several academic and institutional boards committed to inclusive excellence. She was invited by Melissa Harris-Perry to join the team at The Anna Julia Cooper Center, where she assisted with the production of live streams in collaboration with The Nation and Community Change, among other national and international partners. Crystal was also invited to support the founders of the West End Revitalization Association in providing recommendations for the Biden-Harris Administration’s CEQ/EPA First 100-Days Initiatives.   

Crystal also completed an independent study at Wake Forest University with Melissa Harris-Perry titled Hip Hop, Feminism, and Public Health. In recognition of her impact, Crystal was the recipient of the UNC Greensboro Health and Human Sciences Contributions to Diversity Award. Her reputation has landed her an opportunity to co-teach a course with Harris-Perry at WFU titled POL210: Race, Sustainability, and Environmental Justice.  

Be a Change Agent  

Crystal believes that women of color, especially Black women, are in a much better place at present than they were historically, and she thanks VP Kamala Harris for setting the tone. Crystal believes that it is important for organizations to go beyond diversity and inclusion programs, and introduce anti-racism programs in the workplace, engage in candid conversation and reflection to create sustainable change.   

As a word of advice to women out there fighting it out, Crystal has a simple thing to say: “No one is alone in this fight for equity. Often, people try to figure things out by themselves, but we have to remember that we are not in competition with each other and need to create spaces to uplift each other. Find opportunities and share your network to promote each other. Be a force together.”