POSTPONED: Being a Change Agent for Diversity and Inclusion in Business

Your Chamber has postponed this scheduled workshop, “Becoming A Change Agent for Diversity and Inclusion,” on January 21 from 1:00 – 4:00 pm. 
 
This program was initially designed to be an in-person program featuring Mauricio Velazquez, President of The Diversity Training Group. Mauricio is not only an expert in the field, a consultant to companies across the country, A GREAT PRESENTER, and an educator that makes you think.
 
Some of the feedback we have received is the content is important, but the program is too long for virtual delivery. We will be rescheduling the program, but it is uncertain when this might take place at this time.

We hope you join us once a new date has been set. 

Being a Change Agent for Diversity and Inclusion in Business
Our younger professionals are very attuned to social justice, diversity, and inclusion. These young professionals want to work for companies and organizations that make a difference in the community in a positive manner. This virtual workshop will provide business leaders and human resource professionals with insights on creating or enhancing a more inclusive work environment.

2020 was a year to challenge how we do business, how we think about our team members and customers. The Chamber, through the Leadership NRV Alumni, invited Mauricio Velasquez of Diversity Training Group to help us understand more about Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in July. Mauricio has an incredible ability to connect with his audience even via ZOOM, so he recently added Justice in front and came up with JEDI Master. (for you non-Star War Fans, it’s a thing).

Can you imagine if our business leaders were biased; our Executive Director might not be here because she is a woman. Think for a moment about the community leaders we have and how many of them MIGHT not have been viewed as leaders because of bias (do you think about this?) We immediately thought of Vinod Chachra, Patricia Wooten-Johnson, Tammy Yang, Charlotte Chan, Debbie Lee, Robyn Jones? Where would be without these leaders? Can you imagine our community without these talented people?
There is more to bias than just skin color or gender; there are different from ours. Perhaps they are differently-abled. Do we have a preference then?

Our Executive Director heard Mauricio speak over 18 months ago and immediately had a negative bias when she learned that we were a UVA graduate. She was only partially kidding; prejudice is often learned behavior, and when we have something occur that supports our bias, it becomes confirmation bias.
Many of us are quick to say, “I am not prejudiced. I am not a racist. I am not a xenophobe.” But are we positive that we hold no biases?

Mauricio Velasquez, President of The Diversity Training Group, and an industry leading strategist and trainer will be sharing his more than 20 years of professional experience around this topic to help attendees discover and overcome their biases. 

Join us for this presentation on January 21 from 1:00 – 4:00 pm to learn more about diversity and inclusion.