it begins with a conversation

Our facilitator, Amanda Baker, is a Diversity & Inclusion Facilitator in her “day job” as Human Resources/Talent Coordinator. Her passion is compassion and it is in her capacity as Compassion Ambassador for Compassionate Sacramento that she will be sharing her knowledge and expertise. It all begins with conversations and Amanda will set the stage for several powerful breakout sessions.

Some of the topics we’ll cover:

The Business Case for Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion: Cultures that welcome and support diverse employees and perspectives create more innovative products and services and are more than twice as likely to exceed the needs of their clients. And, in retaining top diverse talent by creating inclusive environments, companies greatly reduce high turnover costs and loss of excellent performers.

Current Challenges in Business: Companies in many industries struggle to recruit and retain diverse employees due to a lack of inclusive practices and policies, both in the recruiting process and on the job. Lower levels of diversity and an inability to create a welcoming environment cause companies to fall behind in a social climate that calls for change and prevents potentially brilliant diversity of leaders from emerging.

Differences between Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: While efforts to achieve a more diverse workforce have primarily been founded in a need to more evenly represent the clientele businesses serve and equitable treatment has been seen as the way towards achieving equality in the workplace, inclusion is the step most companies miss on the path to ensuring all employees (and potential employees) are welcomed, their voices are heard, and their potential is reached.

Unconscious Bias, Microaggressions, and Racism: While our inherent, unconscious biases may not be extinguishable, our awareness of them can continue to increase to the point where we are able to analyze our own beliefs and welcome new perspectives. We are then more capable acknowledging the disparate treatment of our diverse colleagues and moving toward more inclusive practices. We may then understand that racism is as prevalent today as it has ever been.

Anti-Racism and Inclusive Practices: Being antiracist requires that we understand racism exists, where white privilege has perpetuated it (whether we did not intend for this does not change the impact of our societal racist norms) and requires all of us to correct it. Embracing different perspectives, acknowledging different experiences, ensuring everyone’s voice is heard, and providing opportunities to grow and contribute will create an environment in which everyone feels welcomed.

A Zoom Link will be sent the day of the event.  Please pre-register!