Chefs Saqib Keval and Norma Listman of Masala y Maíz are organizing nearly two dozen restaurants in Mexico City for a pay-what-you-can day on Aug. 27 to raise awareness about gentrification driven by American and European expatriates. The initiative aims to highlight the rising cost of living and displacement of locals, and follows recent protests and a government response to regulate short-term rentals and implement rent control.

Black On Both Sides, a Detroit-based organization founded by Andre Sykes, Lisa Carielle Posey and John Neely, aims to highlight the contributions of Black and LGBTQ+ individuals in the hospitality industry. The group has transitioned from a one-time event to a business hosting long-term pop-ups and residencies, with the goal of creating a modern Black hospitality group that celebrates "Black Opulence." "We feel like the torchbearers for our ancestors; the Tom Bullocks and every unnamed Black server, Black bartender, who has come up over the past 150 years of American hospitality," says Sykes.

Chef Chad Cherry, founder of the State of Black Food movement, which uplifts Black and BIPOC chefs, is bringing his event to Tulsa this year. Cherry views food as both a connector and a catalyst, encouraging culinary professionals to use their craft as currency for change while advocating for recognition, equity and empowerment in the industry. "Black Wall Street is not just a historic place. It gives us a literal blueprint for how to succeed in today's anti-DEI climate. What Black Wall Street did -- the way they moved together, the mindset, the legacy -- that is what we've got to get back to if we want to succeed," says Cherry.

The ongoing government assault on diversity, equity and inclusion has a larger agenda than just ending workplace fairness -- it's an assault on democracy as everything from voting rights, health care and history, writes Stacey Abrams, the founder of American Pride Rises. "This is our charge: In the face of uniformity, unfairness and exclusion, we must promote DEI as an essential defense of democracy," Abrams writes.

The hotel industry faces a growing need for revenue managers with higher technical proficiency as guest behavior and technology evolve. Experts at the Hotel Data Conference stress the importance of mentorship in developing these skills, with Crescent Hotels Resorts implementing a reverse mentorship program to engage young professionals. "If you have a forced mentorship program, I find that you lose people quicker because they feel like it's more of a task than their own personal desire," said Erica Lipscomb, senior vice president of revenue strategy at Crescent. "They are the ones who are going to stay tapped in, stay connected."

With more than half of Generation Z identifying as neurodivergent, workplace communication is evolving to better support neurodivergent employees. Jennifer Hartstein, co-founder of Mental Capital Consulting, advises leaders to use clear, structured language and bullet points to reduce anxiety and increase efficiency. Employees are encouraged to advocate for their needs through specific requests and collaborative solutions.

Workaholics in your office are less likely to speak up about unethical practices, particularly in workplaces that prioritize profits over collective well-being, according to a new study from Aston University and the University of Leipzig. To combat this, leaders should discourage long hours, encourage ethical behavior and reward moral courage, writes executive coach Adi Gaskell.

Mothers often find themselves as the default caregivers when children fall ill, a situation influenced by societal expectations and traditional gender roles. Licensed clinical social worker Julie Spears contributes to a discussion about how women are typically expected to be caregivers, a belief rooted in gender socialization from childhood. This dynamic can lead to mothers missing more work and feeling overwhelmed, highlighting the need for more equitable parenting responsibilities.