Schedule
July 30, 2020
11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Session: Intersecting Identities and the Impact of Emotional Tax
Speakers: Kelly Kleinkort, Director of Corporate Engagement, Catalyst
Dana Dawsey, Operations Leader & Site Inclusion and Diversity Leader, Dow Chemical
Everyone brings their intersecting identities to the workplace. Although it may be uncomfortable, we cannot create inclusive workspaces unless we are willing to learn about and discuss elements of diversity, including race and ethnicity. It’s up to each of us to engage in constructive dialogue so we can bridge our divides, build a common understanding of equity, and dismantle the structures that prevent us all from truly being free.
Individuals in underrepresented racial and ethnic groups experience intersectional barriers that others do not face. These barriers lead visible minorities to experience what Catalyst calls the Emotional Tax—being on guard and consciously preparing to deal with potential bias or discrimination. However, it’s not only employees of color, but the organizations for which they work that pay the Emotional Tax in the form of talent loss and potential reduced revenues.
In this session, learn about the effects of the intersecting dimensions of difference, explore tools and tips to reduce the consequences of Emotional Tax in your organization, and identify ways to ensure that the people of color working at your company can contribute to their highest potential and thrive.
September 3, 2020
10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Session: Feeling Safe in the Workplace: Psychological Safety, Civility & Unconscious Bias
Speakers: Pranika Sinha, Senior Manager, Talent Development & Inclusion, Occidental (Oxy)
Joyce Eisler, Certified Leadership Coach and Supervisor of Training, Occidental (Oxy)
We often speak about being safe at work, but this session will discuss feeling safe in the workplace.
The session will help participants
1) understand the definition and importance of Psychological Safety in the workplace,
2) embrace diversity of thought by fostering inclusivity through civility, learn about the definition of incivility and how it spreads, and 3) take a different look an unconscious bias by exploring
3) different concepts trust, an echo chamber, and how we “judge a book by its cover.”
The session will close with some practical, conscious actions the participants can do to foster psychological safety and help create an overall feel of inclusion as well as a checklist to feeling safe at work.
September 30, 2020
11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Session: Moving Beyond Crisis: A Systems Approach to Advance Inclusion & Equity
(& Pitfalls to Avoid Along the Way)
Speakers: Michael Amilcar, CEO, Cook Ross
None of us could have predicted this moment we find ourselves in today as workplaces face both the unprecedented health and financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic coupled with increasing corporate attention on addressing racial and structural inequity mirroring the heightened public consciousness on this issue.
This session takes the key insights and learnings gained from years of consulting with hundreds of organizations around the globe to advance their IDEA (inclusion, diversity, equity and accessibility) efforts to provide you with the key strategies that have been proven to yield the best outcomes for a wide range of companies, as well as the common pitfalls that keep them stuck or otherwise falling short on their journey.
This session will also present a Maturity Model framework specifically designed to support organizations with inclusion and equity efforts, effectively serving as a roadmap to guide leaders and teams towards great success. Q&A to follow.
October 22, 2020
11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Session: Bystander Training
Speakers: Jessica Li, Healing Equity United
Fiona Oliphant, Healing Equity United
Racial inequity and systemic oppression show up in all settings, including in corporate work places. Many of us witness acts of prejudice, stereotyping, micro- and macro-aggressions, and yet, we may be at a loss as to what we can do as bystanders. Though we are aware that “something has to be done”, we are unsure where to begin. It feels overwhelming because we do not feel equipped to have challenging conversations about privilege, bias, and oppression. This is especially true in corporate settings, when we are supposed to remain professional.
This training will provide you with the knowledge and foundation about racial justice issues in
the U.S. and what actions you can take as a bystander. At the conclusion of this training, participants will:
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Recognize what it means to be a bystander and the challenges that Black, Indigenous, People of Color may face as members of marginalized communities
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Deepen your awareness about how your own privilege and power shows up as bystanders
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Learn about the actions that you can take in the moment to disrupt or address issues of prejudice and micro/macro aggressions in professional settings
December 9, 2020
11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Session: Diversity Champion Recognition
Corporate Champion: Shara Hammond, Leadership and Inclusion Manager, Marathon Oil.
Community Champion: Joe Bontke, Outreach & Education Manager and Ombudsman, US EEOC
Team Champion: VAST Academy, Houston Community College