Abstract

The advent of diversity and inclusion management has seen the enactment of several legislative instruments and policies in various nations. However, to date, organizations and societies encounter challenges in their quest to achieve inclusion in a diverse environment. This paper brings the strategic importance of cultural literacy in a diverse community in line with the antecedents of diversity and inclusion management. Specifically, cultural literacy is central in the overall scheme of the well-being of organizations and societies within the context of diversity and inclusion. Sub-Sahara Africa (SSA) is diverse with associated complexities, and policy formulation and legislation must be contextualized, especially regarding cultural literacy. In this regard, this paper argues that cultural literacy goes beyond legislation and policies. Subsequently, cultural literacy must be encouraged since it may put muscle behind ensuring inclusion in organizations and societies in SSA. Furthermore, since cultural literacy has a bearing on an individual social construct, it may enhance inclusion and prevent imposition and resistance. In validating the argument, this article employs a systematic literature review to contribute to the debate. To this end, individuals in organizations and societies in a diverse environment such as SSA, equipped with the needed diversity management skills undergirded with cultural literacy, may turn to enhance the implementation of legislation and policies that seek to ensure inclusion. This process may positively impact the management of diversity and inclusion through cultural literacy in organizations and societies in SSA to ensure efficiency and productivity.