Diversity is not just about ticking boxes or celebrating it once a year during Pride Month or International Women’s Day. It is about fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace culture that embraces every individual for who they are. In our experience, diversity in organizations extends beyond gender and ethnicity — it includes age, abilities, background, perspectives, and experiences that enrich a workplace.
Organizations that actively invest in diversity and inclusion programs in the workplace see measurable benefits. Studies show that a diverse and inclusive workforce is more innovative, collaborative, and high-performing. The benefits of a diverse team are evident in decision-making, productivity, and employee engagement. However, for leaders looking to build an inclusive workplace culture, it is crucial to embrace and celebrate diversity throughout the year — not just on select occasions.
But what does diversity in the workplace really mean? Is it just about hiring more women employees? Does it center around celebrating LGBTQIA+ team members? Or is diversity and inclusion an umbrella term that recognizes and appreciates every team member who makes up the very DNA of an organization? From sexually and culturally diverse employees to differently-abled team members — and everything in between — true diversity is about valuing the unique contributions of every individual.
Addressing diversity in the workplace requires more than just policies — it calls for cultural transformation. One of the most effective ways to spark meaningful conversations about diversity is through storytelling. And what better way to do that than through movies? We have noticed that visual storytelling has the power to bring aspects of diversity in the workplace to life, helping teams reflect on different perspectives and embrace a broader understanding of inclusivity.
Our latest LinkedIn poll sheds light on this very topic. It revealed that 75% of people believe that diversity represents something deeper than just gender and sexual diversity. Workplace diversity is about looking beyond perceived differences and celebrating the talent and skillset that each individual brings to the table. For leaders to truly embrace diversity, it is essential to cultivate a culture of belonging — one where every team member feels valued, included, and heard. In fact, a survey by the American Journal of Psychology revealed that the human need to belong is as fundamental as our need for love.
The question that follows is: How can leaders enable such a culture?
Before diving into the nuances of building an inclusive culture, let’s take a moment to reflect on the many shades of diversity. And since we humans are visual creatures, what better way to explore this than through movies that celebrate the different colors of diversity?
So, let’s take a closer look at 9 must-watch movies that showcase diversity in its many forms.
Related Read: How to Make Your Diversity Training Effective?
1. 12 Years A Slave
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A movie that received critical acclaim equal to its box office success, 12 Years A Slave is a masterpiece in action. A biographical period drama film, it is the movie adaptation of the 1853 slave memoirs written by Solomon Northup. Born a free New York state African-American man, Northup was kidnapped by two conmen in 1841 and sold into slavery. His memoir describes the life that followed. Northup was forced to work on plantations for 12 years, before being finally released.
This story sheds a heart wrenching but much needed light on the horrifying condition that African American people sold into slavery faced. A moving film, it portrays the atrocities slavery put millions of African-Americans through through in a beautifully tragic lens. And even though, racism as an issues, predominantly remains synonymous with the United States, it is actually a global problem. The colonization of thousands of countries in the past has had long-term ramifications in the form of deep-rooted mental conditioning. And, for society and organizations to truly progress, we need to weed out our own individual conditioning, as well as the prevalent discrimination based on race and ethnicity.
2. Milk
Another biographical film, based on a real life journey, Milk takes us through the challenges and victories faced by Harvey Mail. Milk became the first openly gay person to be elected as a member of a public office in California. A human right activist, Milk spent his entire life fighting against the prevalent homophobia in California. Milk went on to receive numerous accolades from film critics and even won eight Oscar nominations at the 81st Academy Awards. The film was preceded by a 1984 documentary based on. the life and the aftermath of Milk’s assassination, titled ‘The Times of Harvey Milk.’
3. The Intern
Age may not often be a talked about topic when it comes to organizational DEI, but that doesn’t take away from the fact that it is an indispensable part of diversity and inclusion. The Intern, even with comic punch lines and feel good aura manages to bring the topic of ageism to light. Written and produced by Nancy Meyers, the film stars Robert Dinero and Hathaway as the lead actors.
The movie follows the life of a 70-year-old widower who’d exudes that retirement is just not for him. This man then applies for the role of an intern fast-growing e-commerce fashion start-up in Brooklyn. The founder and CEO Jules Austin, played by Hathaway, had previously agreed to a community outreach program where seniors would intern in the firm. However, when shows up at work Jules finds it to be a inconvenient hurdle. Unsure of his suitability to the role, she refuses to give him too many responsibilities. And yet, as the movie moves forward, Whitaker not only impresses everyone, but they end forming a beautiful friendship. Their friendship brings to light the importance of looking at people through humanitarian lens, and judging them on the basis of their character and skills. Bringing the o life the ’age old’ proverb – ‘age is just a number,’ it is a light hearted take on the serious topic of ageism.
3. The Imitation Game
Another brilliant book adaptation, this one is based on the 1983 biography of Alan Turing called ‘The Enigma’ by Andrew Hot. Turing was a genius British mathematician who helped decode German messages during World War II. In fact, the film’s title is said to ‘cryptanalysis’ Turing‘s proposal for answering the single most important question baffling the British government back then –
Can machines think?
Beyond being a beautiful depiction of the science behind Germany’s perceived upper hand, it also brings to light the psychological horrors faced by the members of LGBTQIA+ community, especially during those early years. And, even though the film received some critics for apparent inaccurate portrayal of historic events, it still managed to move audience worldwide. So much so that the the LGBTQIA+ civil rights advocacy organisation, The Human Rights Campaign honored it for presenting Turing‘s legacy to a wider audience. The movie shines a subtle yet moving light on Turing’s homosexuality and his struggle to make peace with his inner demons.
4. Hale
Fondly known as the Godfather of the Disability movement in Berkeley, California, Hale Zurich is a living legend. Diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy as a child, Zurich went on to study Russian and Math at UC Berkeley in the 1970s. He also helped found Berkeley’s groundbreaking Center for Independent Living, which has become a nationwide model. Hale’s work has ever since affected everything from ramps to curb cuts, to even the way buildings are built today.
The documentary ‘Hale,’ available on Amazon Prime, was made as a part of his thesis project by Braid Bailey, also a student of Berkeley college. Growing up, he watched his father struggle with a disability caused by a horrible road accident. And so, when he came across Zurich, he knew he had to document the man’s story and legacy to the world. The sad thing about disability is that it affects everyone, regardless of their nationality, age, or gender. And for organization’s looking to build a culture of inclusivity, it is important to pay special attention to team members who might be differently abled. Their skill sets are often unmatched, and when allowed to foster those skills, they can create literal magic for the team.
5. Wonder
Wonder is a 2017 family drama film directed by Stephen Fosky. It follows the life of August ‘Auggie’ Pullman, a 8 year old living in Brooklyn.
Born with a rare medical condition that left him with facial deformity, Auggie is a kid with a heart of gold. Due to his discomfort around people and their inquisitive stares, his parents home schooled him till Middle school. The movie follows his adventures through a public middle school. A moving story, it will leave you in tears, with a warm fuzzy feeling. Auggie stands by his kindness even when faced with severe bullying, and manages to win the kids in his school over. The end scene has him standing tall at his middle school graduation, while his friends and parents cheer him on. It serves as a reminder that there’s no point in trying to fit in, when you are meant to stand out. A perfect fit for a cosy sunday evening with your kids, this movie has a beautiful message with a wonderful storyline.
6. The Old Guard
‘The Old Guard’ is a 2020 American superhero film, released on Netflix, for the global audience to enjoy. Charlize Theron, in the lead role of Andy, is a millennia old immortal who also leads a group of mercenaries with an unexplained inability to die. However, their vulnerability is suddenly exposed to the evil forces of humanity, and that’s what the movie is all about.
What makes this movie unique is that despite being mainstream, it benefits both from its intelligence, in terms of overall execution, and proud inclusivity. The movies is not only blessed with a woman of color in the director’s chair; but also has both The lead and co-lead as women. Furthermore, the muscular co-lead role has a Black actress with promising elements put in place for her presence in even future instalments. And, an unexpected shot of queer-positive representation acts as the icing on the cake.
7. One Night in Miami
A beautifully shot period film, this one takes the audience through an imagined conversation between four of the most prominent Civil Rights giants in America. The list includes activist Malcolm X, singer Sam Cooke, pro football-player-turned-actor Jim Brown, and Cassius Clay, perhaps better known as the boxer Muhammad Ali. Directed by Regina king, this movie is available in theatres and will be released on Prime in January 2021.
What makes this movie stand out is the delicate balance between the unshakeable righteousness that would serve the legacies of these men, and a soft. wide-eyed vulnerability Brought in by King’s exemplary direction. An unexpected and extremely movie, it brings to light the very real, vulnerable men behind the movement while reinforcing their eternal greatness. The movie manages to highlight a host of diversity issues – from racism, to gender inclusivity, In fact, even religious tolerance enjoys its time in the sun with ‘One night in Miami.’
8. Run
Written and directed by Anees Chaganty, child of immigrant parents from Hyderabad, Run feels like a fresh breath of air. Hollywood movies are known to frequently limit filmmaker’s of colour into telling stories of just their communities, Run stands out in every aspect. From the powerful cast to the impressive direction, it has every element required to make a jarring thriller movie.
The Hulu original story follows the life of a homeschooled teenager named Chloe, and her overprotective single mother, Diane. Diagnosed with asthma and paralysed from waits down, Chloe suffers from a host on untreatable ailments like a heart arrhythmia, hemochromatosis, and diabetes. This necessitates a strict daily routine regimen, carefully overlooked by the mother. But, it doesn’t take long before Chloe, and the audience both, realise that Diane is up to something nefarious. Deprived of the cliched jump scares, Run actually builds up and brings out the dread Chloe feels when the one person she trusts, turns out to be the one who is poising her. Both literally, and figuratively.
9. The Yellow Rose
A movie that combines two seemingly opposite worlds to portray a beautiful story, The Yellow Rose is a must watch. It follows the journey of Rose Garcia, an undocumented Filipino teenager who runs from the law. With nowhere to call home, and just a guitar case to her name, her journey is filled with melancholy and hardships. However, the strength of Diane Paragas’s direction carries the movie far beyond the expected. It effectively parallels two opposing world – the American Cowboy and the undocumented immigrant.
Diversity Is More Than Just Representation — It’s About Belonging
Watching these films reminds us that diversity is not just about representation—it’s about creating a workplace where every individual feels seen, heard, and valued. In our experience, workplace diversity is not just a checkbox for HR—it is a strategic advantage that drives innovation, collaboration, and performance.
However, for diversity to truly thrive, it must be embedded in workplace culture. Simply hiring individuals from diverse backgrounds isn’t enough—leaders must take active steps to create an inclusive environment where everyone can bring their whole selves to work.
How Can Leaders Foster a Truly Inclusive Workplace?
At FocusU, we’ve noticed that organizations that succeed in building an inclusive culture actively focus on:
- Encouraging open conversations about diversity, equity, and inclusion.
- Implementing accountability training for leaders to ensure inclusion isn’t just a policy but a practice.
- Addressing diversity and inclusion in the workplace through ongoing learning, awareness, and feedback mechanisms.
- Recognizing and celebrating diverse perspectives to foster a culture of belonging.
A truly diverse and inclusive workplace culture doesn’t happen overnight. It requires continuous effort, commitment, and an openness to change.
Related Read: How To Handle A Diverse Team Like A Pro?
Final Thoughts
Diversity in the workplace is about more than just compliance — it’s about creating a culture where people thrive, collaborate, and innovate. The benefits of a diverse and inclusive workforce extend far beyond just business results — they impact how employees feel, contribute, and grow within an organization.
By taking deliberate actions to improve diversity in the workplace, leaders can transform teams, strengthen workplace relationships, and drive sustainable success.
Which of these movies resonated with you the most? Have you seen diversity and inclusion brought to life in other films? We’d love to hear your thoughts!
