Over the past few years, I've had the tremendous pleasure of creating and facilitating workshops on myriad diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI)-related topics. For the first time, rather than facilitating my classes for a single client, I'm offering my four most popular DEI classes for anyone who would like to participate virtually.  You are welcome to attend 1, 2, 3, or all 4 classes, each of which will be 2 hours in length:

• Understanding Bias and Prejudice: Bringing the Unconscious Conscious (Jan. 31, 9-11 am EST) *This class is approved for 2 hours of H&D CLE credits with the Maine Board of Overseers

• Recognizing and Responding to Microaggressions (Jan. 31, 1-3 pm EST) *This class is approved for 2 hours of H&D CLE credits with the Maine Board of Overseers

• Exploring Gender Diversity (Feb. 10, 9-11 am EST)

• Reducing Bias in the Hiring Process (Feb. 10, 1-3 pm EST)

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What do you get out of it? A minimum of 2 (and possibly up to 8) hours of highly interactive, research-based, and dare I say fun learning together, all from the comfort of your computer! You'll get to interact with folks from geographically anywhere, all of whom share a desire to strengthen their DEI knowledge. After each class, I'll provide several handouts and materials with which you can continue your own DEI learning and journey.

Who's the target audience? Anyone! The classes will be applicable to anyone passionate about expanding their DEI knowledge, whether you are a leader or an individual contributor within your organization. Regardless of where you're at in your DEI knowledge, my content is designed to be understandable, engaging, and informative.

What does it cost?  A single class costs $250; two classes cost $500, three classes cost $750, and four classes cost $950. If you reside in Maine, your employer is likely eligible to receive reimbursement of 50% of these costs through the Maine Workforce Development Compact.

 

How do I register?  Below you can either (a) register for all four classes or (b) register individually for 1, 2, or 3 separate classes. In both instances, I will email you the Zoom link(s) for the session you registered for and information regarding payment.

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What are the classes about? Below is an overview of each of the classes:

• Understanding Bias and Prejudice: Bringing the Unconscious Conscious

This 2-hour foundational class supports participants increasing their awareness of their own personal biases - both explicit and implicit - and how these biases impact the ways in which we navigate the world.  Learning to give your first impressions a second look is a challenging undertaking that requires humility, curiosity, and patience.  I use a combination of videos, polls, and storytelling to define and explore some of the biases and prejudices that impact many of us, oftentimes outside of our conscious awareness.

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In this class we explore:

· The differences between and the importance of diversity and inclusion;

· How different aspects of our identities impact how we see the world and how we are seen in the world;

· The differences between explicit and implicit bias and the role of stereotypes;

· Several common implicit biases that occur in the workplace;

· Practical, effective strategies to challenge our own implicit biases;

· The definition of prejudice and its potential impact in the workplace; and

· The creation of a personal anti-bias action plan.

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• Recognizing and Responding to Microaggressions

In this class, we explore microaggressions: the everyday verbal and nonverbal slights, snubs, or insults, whether intentional or unintentional, that communicate hostile, derogatory, or negative messages to target persons based upon marginalized group membership.  We will identify different types of microaggressions often directed at particular identity groups, distinguishing between intent (often positive) and impact (typically negative).  We will also explore effective and practical ways to respond to microaggressions, whether you are the target or whether you are intervening as an ally to someone else, before applying these techniques to realistic scenarios that might arise.

• Exploring Gender Diversity

In this class, we explore how the binary view of gender as either male or female has changed significantly and that gender is commonly understood as existing along a continuum. I provide participants with vocabulary and tools to navigate the complexities and tremendous range of gender diversity.  We will explore the meaning of gender-related terminology like LGBTQ+, gender, sex, gender diversity, gender expression, and sexual orientation.

 

A significant portion of the class is devoted to examining the significance of gender pronouns, the words that individuals use to refer to themselves (such as he/his, she/her, and they/them). We will explore why respecting someone else’s gender pronouns and sharing your own gender pronouns creates a more inclusive and welcoming environment for your colleagues and your customers or clients, regardless of whether you are part of the LGBTQ+ community.  Last, we will discuss practical ways to avoid using gendered language that can unintentionally exclude individuals.

 

• Reducing Bias in the Hiring Process

In this workshop, we will do a deep dive into the myriad implicit biases that can negatively impact our ability to make the best choices in the recruiting and hiring processes.  In a highly interactive format, I'll provide practical guidance on how to recognize and overcome the unintentional barriers we may be creating in every step of the hiring process, including providing guidance on the following:

• attributes of a strong job description and job posting;

• how to cast a wider net in your outreach to candidates from more diverse backgrounds and experiences;

• the significance of your website and social media’s messaging to potential candidates;

• evaluating applications carefully;

• conducting consistent and less biased interviews; and

• best practices for prompt and consistent evaluation of candidates.

 

During the class, we also will explore together a scenario that allows participants to identify what a fictitious hiring manager does well (and not so well) in this scenario. I also provide participants a number of handouts and materials that capture the content of the class, including recommended statements and questions to incorporate into both job descriptions and interviews to better explore a candidate’s experience in and desire to work in a multicultural work environment.

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Please contact me anytime at mandy@mandylevineconsulting.com with any questions.  I hope you can join me!

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