50+ Quotes about Diversity and Inclusion [2023 Update] (2024)

At Ongig, we like to celebrate all people. So I created this list of 50+ inclusive quotes about diversity and inclusion to celebrate our differences.

They are from CEOs, world leaders, writers, actors, activists, and more. I hope enjoy these inclusiveness quotes!

Diversity and Inclusion in the Workplace Quotes

Let’s start the list with some inclusivity quotes and quotes about inclusion and diversity at work:

“D&I needs to be something that every single employee at the company has a stake in.”

— Bo Young Lee, Uber Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer

“We’re at a moment in time when companies aren’t going to tolerate not having a diverse slate; it truly puts them at risk”

— Ayana Parsons, Korn Ferry Board Leader

“You can’t categorize diversity based on what a person looks like. It’s what that person can do for the organization.”

— Charles K Poole, Author

“We know that diversity can sometimes be more uncomfortable because things are less familiar – but it gets the best results.”

— Megan Smith, Chief Technology Officer of the United States and Assistant to President President Barack Obama

“We have a very diverse environment and a very inclusive culture and those characteristics got us through the tough times. Diversity generated a better strategy, better risk management, better debates, and better outcomes.”

— Alan Joyce, CEO of Qantas

“Diversity and Inclusion is a competitive advantage that a smart leader would not overlook.”

— Brian Ka Chan, Human Rights Activist

“Many conversations about diversity and inclusion do not happen in the boardroom because people are embarrassed at using unfamiliar words or afraid of saying the wrong thing — yet this is the very place we need to be talking about it. The business case speaks for itself — diverse teams are more innovative and successful in going after new markets.”

— Inga Beale, British Businesswoman (former CEO of Lloyd’s London)

“If you hire only those people you understand, the company will never get people better than you are. Always remember that you often find outstanding people among those you don’t particularly like.”

— Soichiro Honda, Japanese Engineer

“Diversity, or the state of being different, isn’t the same as inclusion. One is a description of what is, while the other describes a style of interaction essential to effective teams and organizations.”

— Bill Crawford, Psychologist

“Diversity really means becoming complete as human beings – all of us. We learn from each other. If you’re missing on that stage, we learn less. We all need to be on that stage.”

— Juan Felipe Herrera, Poet

General Diversity Quotes

Here are some general quotes about diversity, including our favorite our differences make us stronger quote and quotes about embracing differences:

“Strength lies in differences, not in similarities.”

— Stephen R. Covey, American Educator & Author

“Infinite diversity in infinite combinations…
symbolizing the elements that create truth and beauty.”

See Also

Zach Gihorski, JD on LinkedIn: #leadership #law #practicegreatness #pennstate #dickinsonlaw #leadingthewayZack Goytowski Lawyer Reviews - Honest 12 Customer Reviews on Zackgoytowski.komi.io70 Powerful Diversity And Inclusion Quotes For The Workplace15 Great Diversity and Inclusion Quotes for a Better Workplace | Envato Tuts+

— Commander Spock, Star Trek

“When we’re talking about diversity, it’s not a box to check. It is a reality that should be deeply felt and held and valued by all of us.”

— Ava Duvernay, American Filmmaker

“Our ability to reach unity in diversity will be the beauty and the test of our civilization.”

— Mahatma Gandhi, Indian lawyer

“The minute we become an integrated whole, we look through the same eyes and we see a whole different world together.”

— Azizah Al-Hibri, American Philosopher

“A diverse mix of voices leads to better discussions, decisions, and outcomes for everyone.”

— Sundar Pichai, CEO at Alphabet

“Diversity is about all of us, and about us having to figure out how to walk through this world together.”

— Jacqueline Woodson, American Writer

“We need to give each other the space to grow, to be ourselves, to exercise our diversity. We need to give each other space so that we may both give and receive such beautiful things as ideas,openness, dignity, joy, healing, and inclusion.”

— Max de Pree, American Writer

“Diversity may be the hardest thing for a society to live with, and perhaps the most dangerous thing for a society to be without.”

— William Sloane Coffin Jr., Peace Activist

“Diversity is not how we differ. Diversity is about embracing one another’s uniqueness.”

— Ola Joseph, Author & Speaker

“A lot of different flowers make a bouquet.”

— Muslim origin

“We are all different, which is great because we are all unique. Without diversity life would be very boring.”

— Catherine Pulsifer, Author

“Diversity is the magic. It is the first manifestation, the first beginning of the differentiation of a thing and of simple identity. The greater the diversity, the greater the perfection.”

— Thomas Berry , Cultural Historian

“What we have to do… is to find a way to celebrate our diversity and debate our differences without fracturing our communities.”

— Hillary Clinton, Politician

“It is time for parents to teach young people early on that in diversity there is beauty and there is strength.”

— Maya Angelou, Poet & Civil Rights Activist

“We have become not a melting pot but a beautiful mosaic. Different people, different beliefs, different yearnings,different hopes, different dreams.”

— Jimmy Carter, 39th U.S. President

“The greater the diversity, the greater the perfection.”

— Thomas Berry, Cultural Historian

Diversity of Thought Quotes

Here are a few famous diversity quotes on thoughts and quotes about being inclusive:

“The freedom of thought is a sacred right of every individual man, and diversity will continue to increase with the progress, refinement, and differentiation of the human intellect.”

— Felix Adler, American Professor

“We need diversity of thought in the world to face the new challenges.”

— Tim Berners-Lee, Computer Scientist

Funny Inclusion Quotes and Inclusion Sayings

Enjoy these funny diversity and inclusion taglines:

“Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.”

— Albert Einstein, Physicist

“Blessed are the weird people: poets, misfits, writers, mystics, painters, troubadours for they teach us to see the world through different eyes.”

— Jacob Nordby, Author

“We could learn a lot from crayons; some are sharp, some are pretty, some are dull, while others bright, some have weird names, but they all have learned to live together in the same box.”

— Robert Fulghum, Author

“Embrace diversity: don’t hate on her because she is green.”

— Star Trek, TV Show

Short Inclusion Quotes

Sometimes meaningful diversity and inclusion quotes are short and sweet, here are a few of those inclusion quotes:

“Always remember that you are unique. Just like everyone else.”

— Margaret Mead, Cultural Anthropologist

Everyone person is a new door to a different world.”

— Unknown

“Diversity is a fact. Inclusion is an act.”

— Zabeen Hirji, Global Advisor

“By domination you will not know life, only by inclusion you will know life.”

— Sadhguru, Author

“We are less when we don’t include everyone.”

— Stuart Milk, Human Rights Activist

Quotes About Inclusion (and Diversity)

Here’s a list of DEI messages and quotes focused on inclusion:

“We have to stop thinking about diversity and start thinking about inclusion.”

— Viola Davis, Actress & Producer

“Inclusion is not a matter of political correctness. It is the key to growth.”

— Jesse Jackson, Civil Rights Activist

“Diversity is being invited to the party; inclusion is being asked to dance.”

— Vernā Myers, American Activist

“When we listen and celebrate what is both common and different, we become a wiser, more inclusive, and better organization.”

— Pat Wadors, Chief People Officer at Procore

”Diversity is the mix. Inclusion is making the mix work.”

— Andres Tapia, Global Diversity & Inclusion Solutions Leader

“Inclusion and fairness in the workplace . . . is not simply the right thing to do; it’s the smart thing to do.”

— Alexis Herman, American Politician

“Diversity is a fact, but inclusion is a choice we make everyday. As leaders, we have to put out the message that we embrace, and not just tolerate, diversity.”

— Nellie Borrero, Senior Global Inclusion & Diversity Lead at Accenture

“We all have the ability to promote a culture of acceptance and inclusion — and that is something I believe every leader has a responsibility to do. It starts with having a dialogue until we are all comfortable and no longer have the fear of saying the wrong thing.”

— Inga Beale, British Businesswoman (former CEO of Lloyd’s London)

“Inclusivity means not ‘just we’re allowed to be there,’ but we are valued. I’ve always said: smart teams will do amazing things, but truly diverse teams will do impossible things.”

— Claudia Brind-Woody, IBM Executive

“I would not worship a God who is hom*ophobic […] I would refuse to go to a hom*ophobic heaven. No, I would say, ‘Sorry, I would much rather go to the other place.’”

— Desmond TuTu, South African Anglican bishop and theologian

Inspirational Quotes About Diversity

Below are a few quotes about inclusivity that pack an inspirational diversity message:

“Don’t tolerate me as different. Accept me as part of the spectrum of normalcy.”

— Ann Northrop, Journalist

Quotes on Culture Diversity

Here’s a few diversity sayings and diversity culture quotes:

“We have the ability to achieve, if we master the necessary goodwill, a common global society blessed with a shared culture of peace that is nourished by the ethnic, national and local diversities that enrich our lives.”

— Mahnaz Afkhami, Iranian-American Human rights activist

Cultural differences should not separate us from each other, but rather cultural diversity brings a collective strength that can benefit all of humanity.” Also: “Intercultural dialogue is the best guarantee of a more peaceful, just and sustainable world.”

— Robert Alan, American writer, artist and social activist

“Our cultural strength has always been derived from our diversity of understanding and experience.”

— Yo-Yo Ma, French-Born American Cellist, United Nations Messenger of Peace

Note: You can find more D&I quotes about equality in our post 50+ Awesome Quotes about Equality [Women, Race, LGBTQ, and More].

Do you have any favorite quotes about Diversity & Inclusion?

This is a dynamic DEI quote list, and we want to keep adding to it. If we missed any of your favorite quotes on diversity, email Heather@ongig.com to get them added to this post.

Why I Wrote This?

Ongig’s mission is to transform your job descriptions to attract diverse talent. OurText Analyzer softwareanalyzes every word of your job descriptions to help support D&I in hiring.

Shout-Outs:

1. Best Diversity & Inclusion Quotes (by Susanne Ricee)
2. 40 Powerful Diversity And Inclusion Quotes for a Stronger Company Culture (by Vantage Circle)
3. Inspirational Quotes from Bright Minds In Business and Inclusion (by Ellevate Network)
4. 12 Empowering and Uplifting Quotes on Diversity & Inclusion (by Preston Ni M.S.B.A.)
5. 30 Insightful Quotes on Racism and the Power of Diversity in Society (by Monique Valeris)
6. How Covid Changed Executive Recruitment—Perhaps for a Long Time (by Emily Glazer)
7. South Africa’s LGBTQ community hails rainbow warrior Desmond Tutu (by Yahoo! News)
8. 20 Quotes Praising Cultural Diversity (by University of Florida International Center)

December 20, 2021 by Heather Barbour in Diversity and Inclusion