Anti-oppression refers to actions, theories, frameworks and strategies that challenge injustices and inequities that occur at different levels in society (e.g., interpersonal, institutional, systemic) and allow certain groups of people to overpower other groups of people. [1, 2]

Anti-racism is the active process of identifying individual, institutional and systemic racism. It seeks to challenge and change or eliminate racially inequitable outcomes and the structures that sustain inequity. [1, 2, 14]

Belonging is the feeling of security and support when there is a sense of acceptance, inclusion, identity, and safety for a member of a certain group. It is when an individual can bring their authentic self to work, when their insights and contributions are valued. [16, 17]

Belonging means full membership in an organization. When belonging is achieved, all members feel comfortable bringing their authentic selves and identities into the organization because they feel like they are connected to a greater mission.

Cultural competence involves being aware of one’s own culture, understanding the culture of others, attitudes towards other cultures, and skills to communicate and interact with people across cultures. [3]

Cultural humility involves engaging in self-reflection, acknowledging oneself as a learner and being open and willing to listen to others to understand their culture and experiences. [4, 5]

Diversity includes a wide range of characteristics and attributes in which people differ. This includes in visible ways, such as race, gender, ethnicity, and non-visible ways such as language, intellectual ability, religion, and so on. [2, 3, 6]

Equity is the absence of differential treatment and outcomes based on social, economic, demographic or geographic characteristics. Equitable outcomes require identifying and addressing unfair barriers to opportunity. Equity does not mean treating people equally. Often, differential treatment and resource redistribution is needed to achieve justice and fairness in process and outcomes. [2, 7, 14]

Implicit biases are the negative associations that occur automatically and affect our understanding, actions, and decisions. Implicit biases can even result in behavior that does not align with explicit attitudes that support equity. [8, 9]

Inclusion is the authentic action or state of including others. Inclusion appreciates the unique differences of others, their skills, experiences and thoughts. Inclusion develops a sense of belonging and empowers others to participate within a system or organization. [2, 3, 10, 14]

Individual racism are the explicit and implicit beliefs, attitudes, and actions that support or maintain racism. [11]

Interpersonal racism is the public expression of racism that occurs between people. This includes slurs, biases, or hateful words or actions. [11]

Institutional racism is racial inequity within institutions and systems of power, such as workplaces and government agencies. It is carried out by individuals directed by prejudiced people or a prejudiced system. Institutional racism can be expressed through discriminatory treatment, policies and practices as well as inequitable opportunities and outcomes. [10, 15]

Intersectionality is a framework that recognizes that people are disadvantaged by many sources of discrimination that result in unique forms of oppression and harmful outcomes. Multiple identity markers do not exist independently, and they are not simply additive. [12]

Race is the categorization of people based on physical characteristics, such as skin color and hair type. It is a socially constructed system of classification of socially dominant groups that reflects the cultural attitudes of colonial Europeans and is not considered to be determined by biology. [12]

Structural racism is racial inequity that occurs across society and is rooted in the operation of major social institutions that excludes people from certain groups. It differentiates people based on their race through laws, policies, institutional practices, cultural representations and other ways. [2, 14, 15]

Systemic racism is the interplay between individual, institutional, and structural racism which functions as a whole system. It is a dynamic system that produces and replicates discrimination and exclusion of individuals across levels of society that creates unfair barriers and disadvantages access and opportunity for racialized people. [2, 10, 13, 14]