How Whitney A. White Is Shaping a Reduced-Bias Future

Meet Whitney A. White, the Co-Founder and CEO of Equity Commons, a pioneering force in combating implicit bias. 

Whitney’s commitment to creating more equitable environments shines through Equity Commons’ immersive approach, which cultivates radical empathy and effectively addresses implicit bias. Built on a foundation of cutting-edge technology and interdisciplinary research, they are redefining diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) training. By integrating VR-enabled sensory immersion and perspective-taking, she and her team have been able to forge a proprietary training model that has proven to resonate deeply. Looking ahead, Whitney’s vision for Equity Commons involves expanding its influence from core workplace training to more deeply tackling bias in sectors like hospitality.

We asked Whitney about the problem Equity Commons solves, how her past experiences contribute to how she operates as an entrepreneur, and what’s next for her and her company.

Q: Tell us the story behind your company’s founding. How and why did you start working on Equity Commons?

A: The founding of Equity Commons emerged from a deep understanding of the pervasive yet often hidden nature of implicit bias. We recognized that if left unchecked, implicit bias can have devastating effects on an organization, permeating every facet of the business. Our motivation to create Equity Commons stemmed from the realization that implicit bias is a systemic problem that impacts critical performance indicators like profitability and retention. With a strong desire to offer a solution, my Co-Founders and I embarked on a mission to help companies replace traditional DEI training with a vividly immersive experience with measurable impact. Our approach allows us to fast-forward society to a future without bias by using cutting-edge technology and established discussion-based learning. Through Equity Commons, we are dedicated to creating equitable industries, empowering organizations within those industries to confront and address implicit bias head on.

Q: What problem does Equity Commons solve? 

A: My business addresses the pervasive issue of implicit bias by offering creative strategies. Traditional DEI training often struggles to effectively tackle this invisible problem. That's why we have developed a proprietary blend of virtual reality-enabled sensory immersion, perspective-taking, and body illusion experiences that allow users to experience what it’s like being someone from a different gender, racial, or socioeconomic group than their own. This builds radical empathy that has been proven to reduce implicit bias. We encourage companies to trade in their traditional implicit bias training methods for our immersive VR experiences, which leave lasting impressions and contribute to creating a world free of implicit biases. 

Q: What are some of the most meaningful impacts Equity Commons has had so far? 

A: Equity Commons has made significant strides in creating meaningful impact through our work, especially with our collaboration with the American College of Cardiology (ACC). As a part of ACC’s Annual Scientific session, we developed a simulation aimed at raising awareness and mitigating the effects of implicit biases toward transgender patients at a cardiologist's office.

We created a virtual reality experience to immerse participants in a simulated healthcare environment. Through this immersive experience, the disturbing consequences of implicit bias in healthcare settings were brought to light. More than 140 individuals actively engaged with Equity Commons at the Health Equity Hub and underwent the virtual reality experience, gaining first-hand insight into the challenges faced by transgender individuals due to implicit bias in the doctor's office.

The results were encouraging, with an overwhelming majority of respondents (94.87 percent) reporting increased awareness of implicit bias, and 86.32 percent expressing a commitment to implementing changes based on their newfound understanding. Participants unanimously recognized the virtual reality experience as a profoundly impactful tool for comprehending implicit bias, emphasizing the significance of the work Equity Commons is doing.

This work is a reminder that the American healthcare system continues to subject the transgender community to biases and to a lack of understanding among healthcare professionals. By leveraging technologies like virtual reality, we successfully shed light on the challenges faced by transgender individuals, promoting empathy and ultimately fostering positive change in the pursuit of equitable healthcare treatment.

Q: What makes Equity Commons different from other similar companies in the industry?

A: Our holistic approach to addressing implicit bias. While implicit bias is not a new concept, we recognized the need for a new and comprehensive approach. Unlike traditional training methods that tend to be inconsistent and solely discussion-based, our program fills the gaps by providing a vividly immersive and impactful experience. In fact, a Harvard Business Review article referenced a study that “found that [unconscious bias] training did not change biased behavior” and other studies “revealed that the training can backfire: Sending the message that biases are involuntary and widespread—beyond our control, in other words—can make people feel they’re unavoidable and lead to more discrimination, not less.”

We go beyond theoretical content and slides to create a training experience that feels real and consequential to participants. Our focus on incorporating technology, such as virtual reality-enabled sensory immersion and perspective-taking, sets us apart from traditional DEI training offerings. At Equity Commons, we are committed to providing a transformative and effective approach to combat implicit bias.

Q: In what ways has your upbringing or past experiences contributed to how you operate as an entrepreneur?

A: Growing up, my mom always emphasized that if I saw something I didn’t like I should do something about it, as opposed to complaining about the situation. That was my fuel in founding Equity Commons. I, along with Leslie Alvarado and Dr. Aubrey J. Grant, recognized the detrimental effects of implicit bias on everyday lives, organizations, and society as a whole. We decided to do something about it. 

Since then, we have expanded our reach to assist organizations in a wide array of  industries, working toward creating more equitable workplaces, outcomes, and communities. My upbringing and experiences have shaped my vision and drive to make a difference through Equity Commons, empowering me to lead with a deep understanding of the importance of combating implicit bias and creating positive change.

Q: What have you learned about building a team and a support network around yourself?

A: One of the most crucial lessons I've learned about building a team and a support network is the importance of fostering a culture of trust and transparency. This foundation is the bedrock of the successful team I’ve built at Equity Commons. I urge my team to prioritize open and honest communication by having team members share their thoughts, concerns, and ideas. By creating an environment where everyone feels heard and supported, we foster collaboration, innovation, and professional growth. Regular team meetings, one-on-one check-ins, and 360 feedback sessions provide the necessary platforms for transparent conversations. This culture of trust allows our team to work together cohesively, overcome challenges, and achieve our shared goals that ensure our main purpose of ending implicit bias is at the forefront of all we do.

Q: What’s next for you and your company?

A: Moving forward, we are expanding our focus areas to not only include the medical field, but also incorporating implicit-bias training in core workplace trainings throughout corporate America, as we know that addressing this issue is essential for creating inclusive and equitable organizations. Additionally, we are actively working on tackling implicit biases in the hospitality industry, where a Harvard study found people with “Black-sounding names” have a harder time booking on Airbnb.  Our proprietary, experiential technology enables individuals to develop radical empathy and reduce implicit bias.

Whitney is a member of Dreamers & Doers, an award-winning community that amplifies extraordinary women entrepreneurs and leaders by securing PR, forging authentic connections, and curating high-impact resources. Learn more about Dreamers & Doers and get involved here.

The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

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