4/20/21 - RICK KAZMER - United Way of the Laurel Highlands
During the first three diversity, equity and inclusion training sessions hosted by the United Way of the Laurel Highlands, participants have looked inward as part of an effort to understand how implicit biases impact their interaction with the outside world.
“It’s not always easy. It’s not always comfortable,” the instructor, Dr. Melissa Marks of the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg, said during one of the sessions, which was geared to learning about ways to build diverse organizations.
Marks will be teaching the final lesson at 7 p.m. Tuesday on Zoom, culminating the free, four-part series funded by a Lee Initiatives grant. The final session will focus on forming an action plan for diversity, equity and inclusion.
Discussion so far has highlighted the unintended consequences of implicit biases, stereotypes and cancel culture. Marks uses an interactive style and humor to engage participants in the lesson.
“We need to make sure it’s holistic and we get buy-in,” Marks said during the last session, in regard to building a diverse organization.
Attendance during the first three lessons is not required for participation in this final session. To register, email admin@uwlaurel.org.