In the aftermath of George Floyd’s murder, corporate America doubled down on its public intentions to be more inclusive and equitable. Yet despite the pledges it has been difficult to see which system changes have made a real difference. Then came the Supreme Court’s decision to end affirmative action—and its potential implications for corporations and their DEI practices. With DEI programs seemingly under attack and their efficacy in question, are businesses still willing to make the case for diversity?

In From Intention to Impact, Malia Lazu draws on her background as a community organizer, her corporate career as a bank president, and now her experience as a leading DEI consultant to explain what has been holding organizations back and what they need to do better. First and foremost, she recognizes that truly moving from intention to impact means targeting and changing the traditions and culture that normalize whiteness at the expense of other cultures.

From Intention to Impact shows what organizations, leaders, and people at all levels must do to create more inclusive environments that honor and value diversity. Lazu shares a seven-stage guide through this process as well as a 3L model of listening, learning, and loving that readers can use from the initial excitement of doing “something” to the frustration when the inevitable pushback comes, and finally to the determination to do the hard work despite the challenges—on corporate and political fronts. Most compelling, From Intention to Impact shows that, while commitment from the top is paramount, for DEI to be most effective, it needs to be decentralized—among managers, within teams, and across the organization.