Welcome to the May edition of Diversity Inc. We are thrilled to feature Matt Kenney, our podcast guest and blogger. As a self-described ‘recovering hockey player’ turned marathon runner, LGBTQ+ and disability advocate, and ambassador for the You Can Play Project, Matt opens up about his journey from a closeted hockey player to an advocate for visibility, inclusion, and resilience. We have also rounded up the latest resources and upcoming training to fuel your DEIA journey.
Explore this month’s fresh insights and join us as we expand our perspectives through learning, dialogue, and authentic experiences.
The CCDI team
DEIA practitioners have already taken the next step to position themselves as a diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility change maker by joining the first cohort of the CCDI DEIA Pathways English program. There is still time to join the French session designed to equip you with practical tools, real-world insights, and the necessary skills to champion and build workplace initiatives.
In this episode of Leader Talks with Sartaj Sarkaria, we sit down with, Barry Alexander and Gavin Barrett, two trailblazers in Canadian marketing, to discuss the power of embracing DEIA (diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibilities) as a growth strategy. Rather than treating DEIA as a box to check or a defense measure, our guests share how DEIA can become a driving force behind business success.
Available now at your preferred podcast platforms, or visit us at: https://ccdi.ca/en/podcast
In this episode of Leader Talks with Sartaj Sarkaria, we welcome Matt Kenny, the self-described ‘recovering hockey player’, marathon runner, and 2SLGBTQIA+ advocate, to discuss how he navigates life as a disabled, queer immigrant. Tune in to hear all about Matt’s experience playing hockey, why he decided to leave the sport, and navigating life in the United States as a gay immigrant with a disability.
Available now at your preferred podcast platforms, or visit us at: https://ccdi.ca/en/podcast
The CCDI Glossary of DEIA terms is a reference and starting point for terms, language, and ideas used in diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA).
The 2026 edition is the result of a collective effort by CCDI employees and valued community supporters. Together, the collaboration focused on adding new terms, removing outdated terms, and refreshing existing definitions.
The comprehensive Diversity Calendar has been updated with the most current dates and information. Replace your previous copy with the latest version of this valuable reference for recognizing and celebrating the tapestry of cultures and beliefs within your organization.
Employer Partners can access the expanded PDF and digital iCalendar (ICS) formats from the Knowledge Repository. You must be logged into the Knowledge Repository to access these resources.
Why visibility matters: A gay athlete’s journey through hockey, Multiple Sclerosis, and resilience
In this reflective blog, Matt Kenny shares his experiences growing up inside the world of competitive hockey, a culture built on toughness, silence and a very specific version of masculinity. From the outside, it looked like everything he had ever dreamed of: the wins and losses, the locker room, the shine of fresh ice, the feeling of belonging to a team, a family, chasing the same goal. Eventually, the weight of that silence became too heavy. He walked away from hockey entirely. Not because he stopped loving the game, but because he could not imagine a version of the sport where he could exist honestly inside it.
Together we are shaping more equitable workplaces, schools and communities through our Employer Partners, moving towards a truly inclusive Canada. Join us in extending a warm welcome to our newest Employer Partners.
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