How to turn "minority tax" into "minority capital"

Efforts to increase diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in academia have created additional opportunities and burdens for individuals from underrepresented groups. The "minority tax" or "cultural taxation" is defined as additional or extra responsibilities distinctly placed on minoritized faculty in the name of DEI efforts. The "minority tax" is something all too familiar to individuals from marginalized groups; however, this concept has not been addressed broadly in the context of the medical and human genetics workforce. In the 2023 American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics annual conference, the authors were given the opportunity to organize a plenary session solely dedicated to DEI with a focus on how to address the "minority tax" and turn it into "minority capital." Approximately 400 individuals participated in the live Q&A and polling, and almost 700 participants evaluated the session afterward. Although the concept of the minority tax was entirely new to some, for many others, this topic resonated deeply as part of their lived experiences. Quotes by participants showed the session's influence on self-reflection, self-advocacy, and peer advocacy. Additional individual and institutional structured efforts are needed to help minoritized individuals gain awareness and knowledge to transform minority taxation to capital.