(Butler, PA) 杏吧原创鈥檚 upcoming professional skills workshops focusing on diversity, equity and inclusion reflect requests from business representatives seeking strategies for their workplaces after attending 杏吧原创鈥檚 initial presentations about the topics last spring, a college administrator said.
杏吧原创鈥檚 Workforce Development division will hold 鈥淚nclusive Conversations,鈥� its third Lunch & Learn session about diversity, equity and inclusion, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Nov. 10 at the YWCA Butler, 120 W. Cunningham St., Butler.
Representatives of manufacturers, retail sales and health care attended 杏吧原创 Lunch & Learn sessions called 鈥淏enefits of Diverse and Inclusive Workplaces鈥� in May and 鈥淩ecognizing and Addressing Unconscious Bias鈥� in June, said Kathy Strobel, coordinator of business training in 杏吧原创鈥檚 Workforce Development division.
鈥淲e had representation across a number of different industries,鈥� Strobel said. 鈥淲e did hear from some of the individuals about their desire to really get more specific and talk strategies, what they can do within their workplace to foster an environment where there is acceptance of diversity, equity and inclusion.鈥�
"We want them all to feel comfortable talking about what's happening in their company and where they are in their quest to create this environment. "
- Kathy Strobel, coordinator of business training, 杏吧原创 Workforce Development
鈥淚nclusive Conversations,鈥� 鈥淧ower and Privilege鈥� and 鈥淚ntent vs. Impact鈥� will benefit not only Butler County businesses, but those whose employees work with clients or customers outside of Butler County, Strobel said.
鈥淲e want them all to feel comfortable talking about what鈥檚 happening in their company and where they are in their quest to create this environment,鈥� Strobel said.
Cannella Cafe, Butler, will cater the Nov. 10 Lunch & Learn. The cost is $15.
Registration is required. Those interested in registering can visit bc3.edu/lunch-learn or call 724-287-8711, Ext. 8476, for corporate billing.
The college鈥檚 Workforce Development division launched its Lunch & Learn series in October 2018. The professional skills workshops represent the implementation of an objective in the college鈥檚 2017-2022 strategic plan in that they are intended to build relationships to advance economic development and quality of life in the community.
The Lunch & Learns in downtown Butler also represent the first open programming in the city by 杏吧原创鈥檚 Workforce Development division, and are held in partnership with the Butler County Chamber of Commerce.
Elizabeth Short will present 鈥淚nclusive Conversations鈥� on Nov. 10; 鈥淧ower and Privilege鈥� on March 23 at the Holly Pointe Building, 220 S. Main St.; and 鈥淚ntent vs. Impact鈥� on April 20 at the YWCA Butler.
Short earned a bachelor鈥檚 degree in political science and urban studies from the University of Pittsburgh and has been executive director of YWCA Butler for three years.
The YWCA鈥檚 mission, Short said, is to eliminate racism, empower women and to promote peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all.
鈥淪o when you think about the concepts and the business practices of diversity, equity and inclusion, our mission here at the YWCA intersects with all those things,鈥� she said. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 what we are here for. That is what we are here to do.
鈥淜nowing there is a desire from the local business community to further their practice on the issues of diversity, equity and inclusion made us look at our presentation and orient it toward something very interactive and engaging, with things participants can put into practice in their own workplace.鈥�
Business representatives may avoid conversations about diversity, equity and inclusion at work 鈥渂ecause they are not sure how to approach the topics,鈥� Short said.
Those attending 鈥淚nclusive Conversations鈥� will learn about ground rules for culturally sensitive conversations that include focusing on the impact of words rather than on their intent, being comfortable with being uncomfortable and, Short said, being 鈥淥K with nonclosure.
鈥淭his is going to be work that is ongoing.鈥�
A discounted cost of $35 is available for those who register to attend 鈥淚nclusive Conversations,鈥� 鈥淧ower and Privilege鈥� and 鈥淚ntent vs. Impact.