LET’S BUILD A BETTER WORKPLACE.
Equity. It recognizes that we all have different circumstances and allocates the exact resources and opportunities needed to reach an equal outcome for us all.
Equity requires action.
These are challenging times. The workplace is evolving into what it needs to be in order to have healthy strong business reflecting the evolution of our population.
This requires mindful strategic attention to employee groups but also processes.
Welcome to measurable action. Welcome to Equity Activations.
You want your business to be sustainable and thrive. What do you need?
Talent Acquisition That Builds Community and Brand Loyalty
Picture a recruitment process that not only attracts top talent but also fosters lasting connections and elevates your employer brand. With our support, you can design inclusive hiring strategies that resonate with candidates from a variety of different communities, ensuring long-term retention and alignment with your values.
Learning & Development Programs That Transform Operations
Visualize training initiatives that go beyond compliance and checkboxes. Instead, they empower employees with actionable skills, boosting productivity and strengthening team dynamics. We create learning programs tailored to your operational goals, making growth a part of your culture.
Employee Engagement That Drives Business Strategy
Imagine employees who feel seen, heard, and valued—driving innovation and strategic growth. Our engagement strategies are designed to integrate employee voices into decision-making, enhancing satisfaction and organizational performance.
“T. Tara Turk-Haynes is more than a DEI Consultant. It goes without saying that she is an expert in historical context around diversity, equity, and inclusion, but she also dives into the way that we as humans interact, how our brains work, why we think the things we may think, and how we can work together and collaboratively to be better. The way that she facilitates a room of executives, employees, consultants, HR leaders, etc is like watching a wizard wave a wand; it's indescribable that talent she has for weaving together humanity with business in a manner that allows for both safety and curiosity.” - Anessa Fike, Fractional Leader/Author
“..I am a practitioner and am well aware of how important it is for those that operate in this space to bring their stick to the fire (African proverb). T.Tara embodies that with grace, insight, and poise. Her ability to draw in participants, distill direction/recommendation, tease out gaps and missteps is artful. Which in most times, especially now, is a gift that cannot be overlooked…” Torin Ellis, founder of the torn ellis brand
“Tara is an engaging, knowledgeable, and compassionate speaker.” - Arthur Chan, DEI Leader
Who Am I?
Photo by Damu Malik Photography
I believe storytelling isn’t just an art—it’s a strategic tool that shapes culture, builds inclusion, and drives business success. Workplaces, like great stories, are strongest when every voice is valued and every perspective contributes to the bigger picture. As a strategist, builder, and champion for equitable and inclusive workplaces, I help organizations turn equity from an initiative into a business advantage—where people and companies don’t just coexist, but thrive together.
As the Founder of Equity Activations, I help companies go beyond surface-level diversity efforts, embedding measurable equity strategies into Talent Acquisition, Leadership Development, and Organizational Culture. I believe in equity as action, not aspiration—turning intent into scalable, systemic change that delivers lasting impact.
At Leaf Group, I led Talent Acquisition and Inclusion strategies, designing data-backed programs that strengthened hiring pipelines, expanded access to development, and built equitable assessment frameworks. Under my leadership, the company launched high-impact ERGs, inclusive leadership committees, and systemic policy shiftsthat wove diverse perspectives into the fabric of its brands—not just improving representation, but driving real business growth.
Beyond individual organizations, my influence extends to enterprise-wide equity strategies, including my time as Chair of the DEI Council at Graham Holdings Company. My thought leadership has been featured in Lars Schmidt’s Redefining HR, Fast Company, and on stages at Culture Amp’s Culture First, RecFest, and other industry-leading conferences.
I believe the future of work belongs to companies that can tell a better story—one where inclusion, innovation, and impact are embedded into the very DNA of how they operate. My mission is to help organizations write that next chapter by building equitable, sustainable workplaces that don’t just check a box, but transform how people and business succeed together.
- T. Tara Turk-Haynes - Founder/Consultant
“Partnering with T. Tara Turk-Haynes is a game-changer. Her deep expertise and genuine passion for equity shine through in every aspect of her work. Tara’s professionalism and collaborative spirit have been instrumental in driving our initiatives forward. Her insights and guidance are invaluable, and her unwavering commitment to inclusivity makes her an exceptional ally. Working with Tara is always transformative experience.” - Rocki Howard, Founder/Chief Diversiologist of Diversiology. lO
CONSULTING.
Whether you have long term or short projects, we provide consulting packages to fit your needs.
-
Activate equity, inclusion, and belonging across your organization. With process reviews, microconsulting, customized upskilling, and strategy reviews, we help you design and implement DEIB strategies that align with your culture and goals.
-
Empower your organization with strategic talent solutions. Whether you need fractional support, microconsulting, team upskilling, or comprehensive strategy building, we tailor our services to optimize your talent acquisition and management processes.
-
Transform your workforce through impactful learning initiatives. Our services include fractional support, microconsulting, process reviews, and strategic planning to ensure your training programs deliver measurable results.
-
Empower your organization with strategic talent solutions. Whether you need fractional support, microconsulting, team upskilling, or comprehensive strategy building, we tailor our services to optimize your talent acquisition and management processes.
GUEST SPEAKING.
The fact that we are here and that I speak these words is an attempt to break that silence and bridge some of those differences between us, for it is not difference which immobilizes us, but silence. And there are so many silences to be broken. - Audre Lorde
Guest speaking is a dynamic way to build community, share lived experiences, deepen our understanding of each other, and inspire collaboration and growth. Explore the topics below to see how I can help your organization use story telling to connect people to business goals.
-
In this conversation, we learn why inclusion in leadership is important to be impactful and how to practically model inclusion in our daily work lives.
-
Learn actionable strategies for embedding diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging into your hiring processes to attract and retain top talent.
-
Engage in critical conversations about the experiences of Black women in the workplace and explore actionable strategies for advocacy and equity.
-
Employee Resource Groups can be invaluable to an organization - not just as a means of community support but also as advisors to business growth and opportunities for professional development.
-
What is your why for creating equity in the workplace? Once you have that, how do you design a program that promotes equitable practices for everyone in the workplace?
“Tara is my go-to person for all things DEI. I like that she understands the theory, but I LOVE that she's a practitioner. It's hard to find someone who understands how to implement equitable practices in a way that is realistic and conducive to running a business. Tara knows how to do this because she is close to the actual work of Talent Acquisition, Employee Engagement, and day-to-day People Operations. That's why when I want advice that goes beyond what sounds good, I turn to Tara; she gives advice that you can actually implement.” Rhona Pierce, Trainer/Speaker/Talent Acquisition Expert
Contact us.
Click here to schedule your free consultation call.
Are you an individual looking for career guidance? Click here to schedule some time with me. Rates are posted.
No sales or product calls please.
“Tara is my first call when someone asks for DEI activation and facilitation of education not just because of her expertise. It's her heart. It's how she looks at issues. How she connects with leadership. How she tells the story that brings everyone along the journey. She is the energy organizations have needed to create change in corporate America. I could not recommend working with her more.” Katrina Kibben, Three Ears Media
“Tara is a powerhouse in the HR and DEI space, known for her ability to captivate audiences with her insights and advocacy. As a keynote speaker and practitioner, she not only knows her talk but consistently backs it up with data and research. As a co-emcee of our Culture First Global Leaders Forum, a contributor to our thought leadership content, and an engaging panelist, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion. Tara’s unique ability to champion the underdog and articulate transformative ideas makes her a standout leader and an invaluable voice in our community. When she speaks, people listen. And her big chunky glasses have become a staple!” - DeMario Bell, Community Builder/Evangelist