Readership for Leadership
A book club to empower leaders to become agents of change in their organization.
Workplaces need leaders that are confident in their ability to connect with people of all backgrounds and role model inclusive behaviour.
There are not many venues for male leaders to explore new perspectives, ask questions about how to embody inclusive practices at work, or network with other leaders on a similar journey across industries.
We’ve created that space at B.O.O.K. Club.
B.O.O.K. Club—Beyond Our Own Knowledge—invites men and male-identifying folks to join a 11-week cohort of peers, dig into a curated book, and connect with each other to unpack what we’ve read, and unlearn something new about our privilege and perspectives in the world.
What Your Leaders Get Out Of It
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Curated Book
Each quarter is a new opportunity for exploration, discussions, and connection without expectations or bias. The chosen book is kept a mystery in advance to challenge members to explore perspectives that they might not delve into on their own.
We make it simple for you — we will deliver the book to your leaders’ inbox or front door in the format of your choice.
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Expert Facilitated DEI Discussions
Each quarter offers two 60 to 90-minute discussions facilitated by DEI professionals that have been reading alongside the participants.
Outside the discussions, participants have access to a private forum where there is no such thing as a ‘dumb’ question with weekly discussion question prompts with the experts and other participants sharing experiences.
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Personal & Professional Growth
B.O.O.K. Club is centred around developing Deliotte’s six inclusive leadership skills.
Your organization can see the results —we offer pre- and post-assessments that visualize members’ inclusive leadership competencies, making their growth during B.O.O.K. Club tangible.
What to Expect
Process
Pricing Structure
5 seats — $500
10 seats — $950 (5% OFF)
15 seats — $1,350 (10% OFF)
20 seats — $1,700 (15% OFF)
We offer organizations different plans to suit their needs and size. There is the option to reserve 5, 10, 15, or 20 flexible seats that can be used all at one quarter or spread out two quarters.
What People Are Saying
“The team makes it easy and straightforward to participate while encouraging everyone to be involved to the level of their comfort. The book choices are outside of what I would normally read which has been - which has been helpful to challenge my thinking and get me out of reading things that simply confirm my views. The facilitated discussions really made the books come to life and I’ve very much appreciated the connections and learning along the way.”
— Jeff, Founder & CEO
“This program is well structured to be flexible and low stress, while also creating space for great conversations. Facilitators are excellent and getting to hear directly from one of the authors was the icing on the cake. Highly recommend to all.”
— Joel, Manager, Technology Strategy & Transformation
“What I respect the most with this club is the safe space created so I can learn about the topic selected. The books selected cover topics I would not feel comfortable talking about outside this group as I would fear being scorned for saying the wrong thing. In B.O.O.K. Club, I feel safe to be open about my thoughts on the subject. I come away with more knowledge, empathy, and personal growth to the point I would feel comfortable talking about the subject outside this club. It is a place you can challenge your inner biases, ask questions you feel awkward about, and enjoy learning about something new.”
— Stephen, Senior Credit Analyst
See the Results
Change can be difficult to see when you’re in the middle of it. Our pre and post assessments help you see just how far you’ve come on your journey to becoming an inclusive leader.
Based on Deloitte’s six inclusive leadership traits, B.O.O.K. Club has developed an evaluation tool which helps you explore your unique areas of strength and room for improvement.
These six traits enable leaders to operate more effectively within diverse markets, better connect with customers, access a wider spectrum of ideas, and empower individuals in all their diversities to reach their full potential.
Our Reading History
We cover what’s front of mind and happening in the world today, as well as what's left out and forgotten. Leaders need to keep an eye on the ball, and where it's going.
Need a copy for yourself? Check our B.O.O.K Club leftovers.
Summer 2022: Being Heumann by Judith Heumann
Winter 2022: Delusions of Gender: How Our Minds, Society, and Neurosexism Create Difference by Cordelia Fine
Fall 2021: The Culture Map: Breaking Through the Invisible Boundaries of Global Business by Erin Meyer
Summer 2021: Sorted: Growing Up, Coming Out, and Finding My Place (A Transgender Memoir) by Jackson Bird
Spring 2021: The Sum of Us: What Racism Costs Everyone and How We Can Prosper Together by Heather McGhee
Winter 2021: From the Ashes: My Story of Being Métis, Homeless, and Finding My Way by Jesse Thistle
Fall 2020: Invisible Women: Data Bias in a World Designed for Men by Caroline Criado Perez
Winter 2022: Praying to the West: How Muslims Shaped the Americas by Omar Mouallem
Spring 2020: Invisible Man, Got the Whole World Watching: A Young Black Man's Education by Mychal Denzel Smith
You're in Good Hands
Equity Leaders has been leading conversations in male-dominated industries to deeper engage leaders in gender equity as well as broader diversity and inclusion initiatives since 2017.
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Jake Stika
As Next Gen Men's Executive Director, Jake is a passionate speaker and facilitator focused on gender-based issues related to the social and emotional development of young men, the health and well-being of men in communities, and gender equity in workplaces.
Jake was named one of Avenue Magazine’s Top 40 Under 40, as well as having earned recognition from Ashoka, the British Council, and the Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion.
He is also a proud advisor to the Calgary Immigrant Women's Association, Canadian Women & Sport, as well as the Calgary Women's Emergency Shelter.
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Trevor Mayoh
Trevor is a diversity, inclusion, and violence prevention professional working on disruptive and transformative projects in diverse regions and sectors around the world.
Trevor works with government and corporate partners on deconstructing gender norms and creating innovative violence prevention programming.
He has spent a lot of time in hospitality, technology, extractive, and post-secondary organizations internally and externally to help foster more inclusive, safe, and successful environments.
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Logan Churchill
Logan grew up in the suburbs outside Toronto, and come from a family of South Slavic and Celtic ancestry. Now, he’s based in Toronto, having recently moved from Montréal.
Last spring, Logan completed a Master of Arts in Political Science at Concordia University and also holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Anthropology from McMaster University. Right now, he’s working as a researcher and curriculum developer in the equity, diversity, & inclusion industry.
Logan is a musician, guitar builder, record collector, hockey lover, big Lord of the Rings fan, and teller of dad jokes.
FAQs
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A new perspective, a new ally/partner in learning & unlearning, new knowledge, skills, and attitudes to apply. Any of these are possibilities, but you’ll get out of it what you put into it. If you show up with the courage to be vulnerable in admitting that you don’t know all there is to know, there can only be growth. Plus you’ll have our team cheering you along the way!
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Yes. This initiative is for male-identified individuals.
Equity Leaders specializes in engaging leaders in male-dominated industries to better engage with gender equity as well as broader diversity & inclusion initiatives as this is a struggle for many organizations.
From our experience, there is value in both mixed-gender spaces, as well as gender-specific spaces and in this case, we’re taking the onus of doing our learning & unlearning, as men, to bring to the bigger table after.
Besides, women are twice as likely to be taking part in these types of book-related dialogues already — instead of yelling over each other about sports, let’s yell over each other about something that matters.
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Joining a free book club is always an option! This is an investment (or company-sponsored) in one’s own personal and professional development.
BOOK Club is supported by professionals with experience across sectors working to advance equity. Participants will be able to ask questions and dig deeper than they might in an informal study group.
Having skin in the game encourages people to follow through with their commitments to read the book and have the discussion. Time & money well spent!
Plus, Equity Leaders is a social enterprise of Next Gen Men so proceeds from BOOK Club inevitably support Gr. 7-9 boys in having these sorts of learnings & conversations at their age.
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Yes, BOOK Club is online.
We meet via Zoom in small groups of 4-5. Participants also have access to a private online forum to discuss and ask questions as they read.
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Other than they’re pretty sweet guys to have a virtual beverage with?
Jake, Trevor, and Logan have had a lot of combined experience as men of the dominant narrative (read: male, pale, not quite stale…yet) doing equity work. They each have personal journeys that sparked their passion for doing this work. They experience the struggles and tensions in doing this work.
No man is an island, and we’re here to help.