How Much Diversity Can a Place Hold?

In this episode, Sangita Kumar and Fong Marcolongo dive deep into a bold and timely question: How much diversity can a space actually hold? They explore the tension between wanting inclusive spaces and building the actual infrastructure needed to support them.

Through stories from their equity consulting work—including a gentrifying neighborhood in San Francisco and schools with mismatched staff and student demographics—they reveal how diversity isn't just about who’s at the table, but how the table is set.

They break down:

• Why identity diversity brings new ways of thinking—and new challenges

• How dominant culture norms can turn differences into perceived conflict

• Why diverse teams often struggle without shared values or tools

• What it really takes to move from performative to transformative inclusion

If you've ever felt stuck in conversations about representation, struggled with friction on diverse teams, or wondered how to support real equity without burning people out, this episode offers grounded insight, strategy, and hope.