May 13th 2024.
In 2021, Joy E. Mason was moved to take action after the murder of George Floyd by the Minneapolis Police Department. As the founder of Optimist Business Solutions, she saw an opportunity to make a positive impact in her community through Six Sigma methodology. Thus, the Six Sigma Racial Equity Institute was born, providing Black women and Black Latinas with the opportunity to develop their skills and uplift their communities.
The goal of the institute is to promote Six Sigma certification and training for two groups that are often underrepresented in the field: Black women and Black Latinas. These individuals are often excluded from such opportunities and face barriers such as cost and inequitable policies. By equipping them with Six Sigma knowledge and tools, the institute aims to empower these women to become leaders in their workplaces and communities, using data-driven approaches to tackle racial inequities.
Currently in its fourth cohort, SSREI has been a tremendous success, thanks to the leadership of Joy Mason. In an interview with the Indianapolis Recorder, Mason explained that her passion for continuous improvement, support for women, and commitment to the Black community all came together in 2021, leading her to create the institute. She believes that it was her calling from God to address equity in this way, and she is dedicated to seeing Black women succeed.
The impact of the program has been significant, with 67% of past participants reporting a pay raise and 33% receiving a promotion after completing the Green Belt program. Additionally, 100% of the most recent cohort reported gaining new problem-solving skills, and 92% said the program exceeded their expectations in terms of improved leadership confidence. These outcomes are crucial in the pursuit of justice and equality, as well as closing the pay gap for Black women.
For Mason, the most rewarding aspect of the institute is seeing Black women thrive. She hopes that through SSREI, people will see that there are innovative ways to advance diversity and equity, with benefits for all involved. By empowering Black women, employers gain additional capacity to address equity gaps, and communities benefit from a more equitable workforce. Ultimately, Mason's goal is for Black women to experience personal and professional transformation, with the added bonus of a salary increase from applying their new skills.
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