Challenging structural barriers. Championing inclusive leadership.
At Aurora, we believe that achieving racial equity in the workplace is not simply a matter of ethics—it is a strategic business imperative. Breaking the Brown Glass Ceiling: Unlocking Racial Diversity in Business Leadership is our latest white paper, authored by Aurora co-founder Ngozi Weller. It draws on rigorous research, lived experience, and a deep conviction that organisations must do more—and do better.
Despite decades of diversity initiatives, racially minoritised professionals remain significantly underrepresented at senior leadership levels. This paper explores why these inequities persist—and, crucially, what practical steps organisations can take to dismantle them.
What the Paper Covers:
Persistent Disparities: UK and US data that lays bare the racial leadership gap—and why good intentions are not enough.
Unpacking Systemic Barriers: The role of affinity bias, exclusion from networks, and opaque promotion practices.
Dispelling the Pipeline Myth: Evidence that qualified racially diverse talent exists—and is often overlooked.
The Case for Trickle-Down Equity: Why transformation must begin at the top to have lasting impact at every level.
Proven Solutions: From sponsorship and structured recruitment to setting representation targets and embedding accountability.
Real-World Case Studies: Insights from companies such as Netflix and Salesforce who are leading the way.
Why It Matters
This is not about diversity for diversity’s sake. Racially inclusive leadership drives innovation, improves performance, and strengthens trust—within teams, with customers, and across society. The evidence is clear: equity is good business.
A Message to Business Leaders
Breaking the Brown Glass Ceiling is not about symbolic gestures. It is about embedding inclusion into strategy, structure, and systems. That starts with leadership. We invite you to read the paper, reflect deeply, and take deliberate, data-informed action.
“Truly equitable workplaces don’t emerge by accident—they are designed with intention, accountability, and courage.”
— Ngozi Weller, Director & Co-Founder, Aurora
📩 Connect with us: [email protected]
