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Brittany Janay

Brittany Janay

(she/her)

Director of People, Culture & Accountability

Black woman, wife, mother, creator and holder of space and community

When asked, “what is your why?” for engaging in justice, equity, diversity, inclusion (JEDI) work, Brittany’s answer (in the tune of Tank & The Bangas) is, “I love Black folk.” For more than a decade, Brittany has served in the capacity of strategist, consultant, learning experience designer, advocate and community builder. She experiences the question “why?” as a love language and strives to embody leadership as a love practice.   In her role as Director of People, Culture, and Accountability, Brittany is responsible for stewarding a culture where BE is not only “doing the work,” but most importantly “BEing” the work in its institutional systems, policies, practices, and behaviors. Brittany’s experience consulting predominantly white institutions, coupled with her unique experiences leading within Black-led and owned institutions ignites her mission to support Black-led, equity focused organizations with co-creating strategies, systems, and cultures that align their good intentions with the impact they strive to have on the world… all in the spirit of loving accountability.  Brittany is from Baltimore, land stolen from the Susquehannock and Piscataway tribes, where she currently lives and loves up on her husband, Randy and their blended family. 

What belief took you the longest to unlearn? 

“I am not my work” is a liberated love note to self that I am constantly affirming, specifically as someone who has largely defined their identity through the lens of work, career, and accomplishments. I am unlearning this! Even as someone whose work is deeply personal and connected to my lived experiences and identities, I am remembering the beautiful, loving nature of boundaries, stillness, and rest.  

Who is part of your ancestral board of directors?

  • My grandfather, Elmer Coppage, Sr., a man of BIG Faith.
  • Ella Baker, her collective approach to leadership is admirable and…goals. When she says “a strong people don’t need a strong leader,” I feel that and I strive!
  • Toni Morrison, who boldly and beautifully serves as possibility for what it means to create beyond the limitations of the white gaze.
  • Audre Lorde, my constant reminder that “the master’s tools can never dismantle the master’s house.”
  • bell hooks, who gifts us with a beautiful framework for love, not as a mere feeling, but ethic that reveres humanity and uproots harmful systems….at the same dang time.

FRIDAY, JUNE 30 - 1:00PM ET

Join us for an engaging and interactive Zoom panel with Be Equitable team members who will discuss important issues currently facing the LGBTQ+ community, explore the power of allyship, and transforming workspaces that foster a sense of belonging for all.
Listen, learn and connect with other DEI colleagues and changemakers who every day bravely speak the truth about how together we can create a just and equitable world for all. We hope that you will join us.

This session is part of our #BE365 series which celebrates, educates, and highlights cultural moments and under-represented voices throughout the year.

Cook Ross is now BE Equitable

These past few years have been incredibly tumultuous and evolving, where we have witnessed how complex and messy our world is.

In a world of tick-a-box trainings and quick fixes, we at Be Equitable are going after something more satisfying -- we’re here for the transformations. For the forward thinkers and future leaders who know the journey is long and are still ready, we see you and we want to partner with you.

Let’s go beyond the buzzwords to create workplaces that work for people of all races, ethnicities, identities, and abilities. It won’t be neat. And it certainly won’t be simple. Our BE team is ready and committed to get it done.

As we enter this next chapter of our story, we invite you to BE bold, BE inclusive, and BE authentic to the vision you have for yourself and your organization. And together we can create workplaces that are just and equitable for all.