2/8/21 - RICK KAZMER – United Way of the Laurel Highlands
The second installment of diversity, equity and inclusion training hosted by the United Way of the Laurel Highlands will focus on “–isms” and how they impact society.
Race, racism, sexism and ableism will be examined in the next part of the four-part, grant-funded training program. The sessions are being taught by Dr. Melissa Marks, an education professor at the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg. The first session defined implicit bias, and how it impacts communities.
The next interactive training, to be held via Zoom at 7 p.m. Feb. 23, will include discussion on how to develop conversations on racism, sexism and other “isms” — topics that many people find difficult to talk about.
Participants will also learn about being allies, identifying microaggressions in society and when it’s appropriate to defend others.
The training is the second of four. The remaining two are set for March 23 and April 27. The last two sessions will touch on building diversity-aware organizations. Creating a mission statement and measureable objectives for the future are also goals.
“To build more equitable communities, it’s important to foster appreciators — individuals who value and appreciate our differences as well as recognize our shared human experience — the hopes and values we often share. We view these trainings as an important first step toward awareness,” United Way of the Laurel Highlands President and CEO Karen Struble Myers said.
Email admin@uwlaurel.org to register for one or all of the remaining sessions.