GuideStone Financial Resources Underscores Commitment to Reflect Ethnic Diversity, Appoints Kasan Boyd as Director of Inclusion & Diversity
Written by Sunlight Radio America on July 3, 2020
DALLAS (BP) — Kasan Boyd is no stranger to GuideStone’s employees and leadership. A 14-year veteran of GuideStone, Boyd knows the organization’s needs thoroughly.
In her newest role as director of inclusion & diversity, she’ll lead GuideStone’s efforts to recruit and retain a more diverse workforce.
“I believe my purpose in life is to help people,” Boyd said. “In this day and time we all need help in understanding what is needed to eradicate these deep-rooted injustices that we see in our country and how those play out in our everyday lives. When I was approached about leading inclusion and diversity efforts at GuideStone, I saw this as the opportunity to help GuideStone show the world what it truly means to walk out Romans 12:5–8, and I knew this was God’s hand at work.”
O.S. Hawkins, GuideStone’s president, said the ministry strives to reflect the ethnic diversity of the Southern Baptist Convention and recognizes the inherent strength of a diverse workplace. The ministry’s recruiting efforts seek an ethnically diverse team through visits to college career fairs, the career website and other recruiting materials.
At the start of 2020, non-Anglo employees accounted for 17.9 percent of GuideStone employees, up from 9.8 percent at the beginning of this millennium.
“One would think that after two millennia, the words of James 2:1–13 have become optional choices instead of principles for living in Christ,” Hawkins said. “Sadly, as the events of 2020 remind us, favoritism and its close cousin racism are alive and continue to plague our nation, its institutions, and even the last place we should ever see racism, some churches. It should not be so. At GuideStone, we are working daily to ensure it is not true in our offices, and we could not be more thrilled that Kasan has taken on the task of helping us build a more diverse workforce.”
A University of Texas graduate and Fort Worth native, Boyd is well-acquainted with GuideStone’s ministry and business needs, having spent eight years as a corporate trainer and senior corporate trainer before joining the Human Resources team almost six years ago. In Human Resources, Boyd distinguished herself by partnering with different business divisions, providing employee development and coaching.
“Now is our opportunity to show the world God’s vision for inclusion and diversity — what conversations, actions and behaviors should look like,” she said. “This type of culture allows employers to be relevant and in touch with those they serve. …
“Any employer should seek a more diversified workforce if they’re planning on attracting and retaining the best talent that aligns with the mission and vision of their organization. Statistics show that diverse work environments are more innovative and productive.”
Hawkins underscored the commitment the organization has to diversity and inclusion.
“We recognize we have not yet achieved our goal to reflect the diversity of God’s Kingdom,” Hawkins said. “By His grace, and with the commitment of every senior leader of GuideStone, we will continue to become more like the Kingdom He ransomed from every nation, tribe and tongue.”
Read full report here.
Source: Baptist Press
