Do these 5 things to be a great ally
Be empathetic. Listen with intention and seek to understand the realities and lived experiences of those you support. Doing so will heighten your determination to improve those experiences.
Work on self-awareness. Become aware of the biases you and others hold, and put mechanisms in place to manage them. We all have biases, whether we are conscious of them or not. They are mental shortcuts that allow us to quickly process information and make decisions without having to stop and consider all available information. Where they become problematic is when they cause us to make errors in our decision-making.
Amplify. Vocally create the space for minority voices in the room by bringing attention to their ideas and assigning them as such.
Challenge assumptions. There is a lot we might not know or understand about under-represented people. Often, we fill in the blanks and create our version of their story through building assumptions. A kinder approach is to become curious and ask questions (see #1). To be a great ally, challenge the assumptions you hear others make about those you champion.
Sponsor. Be their champion! Invest some of your political capital in those you support by advocating for them at tables that matter.