Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Series

About

GTI's Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) series enables participants to gain awareness of fundamental diversity, equity and inclusion concepts, terminology, and application. Participants are introduced to strategies that support them in their on-going learning and cultivation of inclusive workplace environments.

Courses are available to take individually or as a four-part certificate program. To register for an individual class, please see the class descriptions below. 

For more information about the certificate program for your organization, please contact GTI.

DEI Courses

What is Diversity, Equity and Inclusion?

This foundational course guides participants exploration of diversity, equity, and inclusion concepts. The overarching goal is to create understanding around the distinctive differences of these terms and their impact within the workplace setting. Too often the term diversity is expanded to encapsulate inclusion and/or equity. This first session of four is structured to dismantle the misapplication of the terms to cultivate participant awareness and readiness to be culturally responsive equity champions in the workplace.

Raised arms from people with diverse backgrounds
Business team collaborating at a table

How to be an Inclusive Team Player

As employees, we have a fundamental need for a sense of belonging. Inclusion impacts employee self-esteem and stereotype threat. That core need comes under attack when isolation is severe and continuous. When historically underrepresented and marginalized individuals experience ongoing institutional oppression and outcomes it has a dire impact on their sense of welcoming and belonging.

Participants will explore the detrimental outcomes of a non-inclusive work environment to learn best practices in intentional development and engagement inclusion teams.

Expanding Your Cultural Competency

Cultural competence is the ability to understand and interact effectively in a cross-cultural environment. When individuals and institutions operate from a normative racial lens, lack of awareness, miscommunication, and trauma—cultural bumps—often occur.

Best practices for resolving cultural bumps begins with the expanding one’s own understanding of their cultural self as well as the differences and similarities across cultures. This third of four sessions creates an environment where conversation can begin, and new knowledge emerges.

Three employees talking at a computer
Illustration of diverse people with speech bubbles

Implicit Bias

Implicit Bias is the final session in this DEI series, and it refers to the attitudes or stereotypes that affect our understanding, actions, and decisions in an unconscious manner. These biases can be favorable and unfavorable. Implicit biases reside deep in our subconscious and are not accessible through introspection. They are developed over the course of a lifetime beginning at a very early age through exposure to direct and indirect messaging, conditioning, and socialization that influences our behaviors and attitudes.