The Communicator's Role in Building an Equitable, Anti-Racist Workplace
The Communicator's Role in Building an Equitable, Anti-Racist Workplace
Learn Steps to Help You and Your Organization Move beyond Diversity toward Racial Equity
November 10, 2020 | 10:00am - 3:30pm CST
Follow & Tweet #ALIComms
Go Beyond the Basics in This 1-Day, Must-Attend Virtual Event
➡️ Fast paced and jam packed agenda
➡️ Interactive experience with real examples
➡️ Live Q&A with 12 D, E &I thought leaders
Discover ways to develop diversity, equity, and inclusion programs that will create a respectful working community.
Hear what these Communications and HR practitioners and thought leaders are doing today:
Sabrina Stoffregen
Diversity & Inclusion Manager
Cisco
Crystal Andrews Banks
Diversity & Inclusion Director
Ulta Beauty
Ann Melinger
CEO
Brilliant Ink
Edward Ford
Senior Director, Talent Brand + Experience
Medidata
Sherhara Downing
Founder + Master Trainer
Level Comms
What You Will Learn
Have you found yourself asking what is DEI, where do I start, and as communicator what role do I play? This ALI fast track has been put together to help you define diversity, equity, and inclusion as well as how to begin implementing strategies and programs into your workplace.
Join your HR and communication peers in this timely virtual event as you learn how to:
Ensure that your DEI programs are solid and sustainable
Identify the most relevant opportunities for change
Elevate equity
Encourage senior leaders to acknowledge societal inequities and recognize that the organization isn’t a level playing field
Break down silos and communication barriers
Promote the full participation and sense of belonging of every employee
Activate diversity
Navigate DEI programs with a remote workforce
Have meaningful – sometimes uncomfortable – conversations
Establish clear goals, roles, and relationships
Lead inclusively
and more!
“Virtual, affordable, convenient, mix of big picture strategy plus tips for executing at the content level.”
Virtual Conference Attendee
“This conference helped put our situation into better context for me. We’re all going through the same thing, doing the best we can and sharing ideas on how to get through it. This was also my first comms conference and I felt especially connected to this group – people were finally speaking my language!”
Virtual Conference Attendee
“Impressed with virtual format. Wasn’t sure what to expect, but it worked better than I thought. Particularly the breakout experience.”
Virtual Conference Attendee
Benefits of Attending This Virtual Conference
Join your peers for interactive discussions designed to provide you with solutions for your most pressing challenges.
Meet 40+ HR and communications professionals face-to-face while remaining safe
One 5-hour information-packed day
1 track learning environment
Case studies, panels, and interactive hands-on breakout sessions
Access to presentations and recording post-conference
Certificate of attendance for CEU’s
Networking list to continue the conversation after the training ends
Content from leading organizations, consultants, and visionaries delivered to you wherever you are and available to access and share with colleagues later
Guaranteed extensive, how-to instructions that you can use immediately
Opportunity to ask questions to speakers and peers in real-time
This isn’t a passive experience! You will be encouraged to weigh in with poll questions, engage via chat throughout the event, and turn on your camera and sound during group breakout sessions.
“Loved that it was heavily focused on exactly what we do and could all relate to the struggles/challenges we all face.”
Children's Health Sr. Communications Specialist
Children's Health
“Kudos to all of you for putting on such a well-organized, informative event. I walked away with some great ideas and made some fantastic connections.”
Employee Engagement Programs Administrator
City of Irving, Tx
“Very well done. Well facilitated, great variety of speakers and content.”
Internal Communications Manager
Hormel Foods
Who Should Attend
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Culture
Employee Experience
Internal Communications
Employee Engagement
Brand Communication
Corporate Communications
Public Affairs
Strategic Communications
Organizational Development
Human Resources
Training & Development
Employee Communications
Change Management
Intranet Communications
Digital Communications
Global Communications
Strategic Planning
Public Relations
Employee Relations
Field Operations
What People are Saying
Learn more about ALI Conferences
Learn more about our services, conferences, trainings, and how you can connect with us.
Eliminating MicroAggressions and Building Anti-Racist Workplaces - Dorianne St. Fleur Consulting
Dorianne St Fleur, Racial Equity Consultant & Coach | Dorianne St Fleur Consulting
Although the term microaggressions may imply something small, the impact they have on inclusion in the workplace is actually very large. During this workshop, attendees will build awareness around what microaggressions actually are, explore how microaggressions sabotage efforts toward anti-racism and inclusion, and learn actionable ways to decrease the occurrence of microaggressive behavior at work.
Key takeaways include:
Align on key terms and core concepts as it relates to diversity, equity, inclusion, and anti-racism
The three core elements that make up workplace culture and the characteristics of a racist workplace
Defining microaggressions and how even the best intentioned people use them
How microaggressions sabotage efforts toward anti-racism and inclusion
What Allyship looks like and how it allies can interrupt and override microaggressive behavior
11:40 am - 12:00 pm
5 Steps to Help You Approach Hard Conversations - Azure Leadership Group
Andrew Blotky, Communications Expert & Leadership Coach | Azure Leadership Group
Details coming soon!
12:00 pm - 12:45 pm
Refresh & Recharge - Sessions Resume at 12:45
Take a short break to checkin with work, grab a bite to eat, and digest what you've heard so far.
Come back ready to dive in for the second half of the day.
12:45 pm - 1:30 pm
Deep Dive Workshop: The Communicators Role In Combating Racism - Growth & Grace Collective
Through an interactive presentation mixed with small group discussions, identify key things you can do immediately to combat racism in the workplace.
More details coming soon.
1:35 pm - 1:55 pm
Emerge Stronger: Architecting a More Inclusive & Equitable Future of Work - Jennifer Brown Consulting
Jennifer Brown, Founder & CEO | Jennifer Brown Consulting
As we navigate our new reality following the multiple crises experienced and initiatives undertaken in 2020, and as we elevate conversations about race, equity and privilege, we have an unprecedented opportunity in this moment to come together around our shared experiences, and to work together as allies, advocates and accomplices. How might we work together to create cultures of inclusion where all kinds of talent feel welcome?
Learn about the roles and responsibilities of everyone in the work to advance diversity, equity and inclusion efforts
Some would say there is more of a need than ever before to have courageous conversations about our micro-inequities, but there is also a lot of fear and hesitation. How do you approach these conversations, or coach others to have them?
What are inclusive behaviors along the Inclusive Leader Continuum?
2:00 pm - 2:20 pm
Listen, Understand, and Act: A Starting Point towards a More Equal Workplace - European Wax Center
Ashley Morgan, Director, Internal Communications | European Wax Center
This session is designed to provide you with a starting point to encourage transparent communication, establish trust, and uncover actions that can use to build towards a more equal workplace.
Listen: To give one’s attention and be ready to hear something
Employer’s Role:
Be willing to hear that your organization isn’t perfect
Create a variety of safe spaces/platforms for employees to voice their concerns, suggestions, or feelings about racism in/outside the workplace
Employee’s Role:
Provide constructive feedback/suggestion to allow your employer an opportunity to address, investigate, solve for the matter.
Suggested Approach:
Listening Session – held by the CEO or Executive and allow the primary group to voice their immediate concerns, questions, share their emotions
What we did: Hold a monthly CEO Listening Session with our Black associates to discuss current events and the impact on black associates/community, discuss why it matters, and what can EWC do to bring awareness to the matter or contribute to a solution.
Why it was Impactful: Holding ongoing listening sessions demonstrates that leadership cares to continue the conversation, has a desire to listen to the concerns of their employees, and takes into consideration what they can do to enact change in their organization/community to improve the lives of their employees.
Understand: To perceive the significance, explanation, or cause of something
Employer’s Role:
Recognize the cost impact racism can have on your workplace retention and employee production/morale
Treat this effort as marathon, not a sprint
Don’t expect solutions, but look to understand the impact/effect of racism on your employees
Employee’s Role:
Humanize the impacts of racism – share your personal experiences and its impact on how you perceive things
Suggested Approach:
Panel Discussion
Open Forums
1:1 Dialogue
What we did: Panel series called “The Experience in America” where we tackled and discussed various challenges around racism, justice, and equality to help associates better understand everyone’s varied perception and experiences.
Why it was Impactful: In an effort to help others walk in the shoes of those who experience racism to gain a deeper understanding of its impact. It was also an opportunity to address misconceptions or misunderstandings to current events and topics.
Act: The process of doing something to achieve an aim or bring about change
Employer’s Role:
Be clear and honest about your position
Know what you’re addressing and why you’re addressing it
Partner with the people of color to determine approach and messaging
Employee’s Role:
Outline a clear ask and plan
Educate leaders on how various work policies/practices and can create bias or act as a barrier to building a more equal workplace
Identify areas where the business can contribute to communities of color
Suggested Approach:
Establish this initiative as a business priority by making it a part of your strategy and ongoing dialogue
Utilize or establish ERG or diversity councils
Work closely with associates of color who are most effected to contribute to the strategy and decisions
What we did:
Communicated with our guests and franchising network our stand against racism and injustice
Black associates teamed up to develop a strategy outlining 3-4 areas that EWC could help impact in the workplace and in Black communities to present to our executive leadership team
Established a Diversity Council
Created scholarships and in the process of partnering with school districts to create awareness and opportunities within communities of color
Introduced an Unconscious Bias training
Executive leadership partnered with Black associates to identify and donate to a non-profit/cause (Equal Justice Program)
Why it was Impactful: By the organization partnering with those who were most effected by racism, it showed their commitment to driving meaningful change towards a more equal and just society. To get to this point it is critical that senior leaders and organizations do the work of listening and understanding to know why these efforts and actions were critically important and how to make it a part of the fabric of the company’s culture.
2:25 pm - 3:15 pm
Panel Discussion: Ask Your Peers Anything - We Mean Anything
Lola Adeyemo, Senior Diversity & Inclusion Leader
Alexis Davis Smith, CEO | PRecise Communications
Crystal Andrews Banks, Global Head, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging | The Kraft Heinz Company
Edward Ford, Senior Director, Client Engagement | Medidata Solutions
Elena Valentine, CEO | Skill Scout
This is a safe space of your peers. Each person here is working to learn, navigate, and improve their workplace environment.
Take this time to ask the questions that are keeping you up at night. If you're not comfortable asking on camera - feel free to type into the chat.
Moderated by Edward Ford, Senior Director, Client Engagement, Medidata Solutions
The conference MC will highlight a few key takeaways, 'a-ha' moments mentioned in the chat, and next steps to take as you return to work and continue to help build an equitable, anti-racist workplace.
Speakers
Lola Adeyemo Senior Diversity & Inclusion Leader
Ashley Morgan Director, Internal Communications | European Wax Center
Alexis Davis Smith CEO | PRecise Communications
Harriet Small PR & Communications Lead | Growth & Grace Collective
Jennifer Brown Founder & CEO | Jennifer Brown Consulting
Crystal Andrews Banks Global Head, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging | The Kraft Heinz Company
ALI heard your requests and concerns loud and clear. All fall and winter conferences will be held virtually.
This is your chance to attend this top-rated communications conference from the safety and convenience of your desk: No travel concerns, hotels, or extra costs associated with attending the event live.
This virtual event will still provide the high-quality content, leading speakers, and interactive breakout sessions ALI conferences deliver in person.
Alumni Rate: Past ALI conference attendees may use Promo Code "ALUM" to receive the $100 off discounted alumni rate. Contact us if you have questions.
Non Profit / Government Discount: Contact us to receive your promo code for $100 off.
Team Discounts: Attend this training with your colleagues. Contact us for promotion codes.
Team of 2 save $100 each, Team of 3 save $150 each, Team of 4 save $200 each
Terms & Conditions:
Visit our Terms & Conditions page for full information about payment, cancellation, postponement, and substitutions.
Substitutions are always welcome. No refunds on virtual conferences. All attendees will receive the event recording and copies of the presentations after the event is held.
What Past Virtual Attendees Say:
"ALI has great insights with the speakers they work with, and I'm glad to have this learning option!"
"Engaging, allows participants to participate."
"Virtual, affordable, convenient, mix of big picture strategy plus tips for executing at the content level."