(Butler, PA) Butler County Community College’s upcoming professional skills workshops focusing on diversity, equity and inclusion reflect requests from business representatives seeking strategies for their workplaces after attending BC3’s initial presentations about the topics last spring, a college administrator said.
BC3’s Workforce Development division will hold “Inclusive Conversations,” its third Lunch & Learn session about diversity, equity and inclusion, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Nov. 10 at the YWCA Butler, 120 W. Cunningham St., Butler.
Representatives of manufacturers, retail sales and health care attended BC3 Lunch & Learn sessions called “Benefits of Diverse and Inclusive Workplaces” in May and “Recognizing and Addressing Unconscious Bias” in June, said Kathy Strobel, coordinator of business training in BC3’s Workforce Development division.
“We had representation across a number of different industries,” Strobel said. “We did hear from some of the individuals about their desire to really get more specific and talk strategies, what they can do within their workplace to foster an environment where there is acceptance of diversity, equity and inclusion.”
“Inclusive Conversations,” “Power and Privilege” and “Intent vs. Impact” will benefit not only Butler County businesses, but those whose employees work with clients or customers outside of Butler County, Strobel said.
“We want them all to feel comfortable talking about what’s happening in their company and where they are in their quest to create this environment,” Strobel said.
Cannella Cafe, Butler, will cater the Nov. 10 Lunch & Learn. The cost is $15.
Registration is required. Those interested in registering can visit bc3.edu/lunch-learn or call 724-287-8711, Ext. 8476, for corporate billing.
“We want them all to feel comfortable talking about what’s happening in their company and where they are in their quest to create this environment.”
The college’s Workforce Development division launched its Lunch & Learn series in October 2018. The professional skills workshops represent the implementation of an objective in the college’s 2017-2022 strategic plan in that they are intended to build relationships to advance economic development and quality of life in the community.
The Lunch & Learns in downtown Butler also represent the first open programming in the city by BC3’s Workforce Development division, and are held in partnership with the Butler County Chamber of Commerce.
Elizabeth Short will present “Inclusive Conversations” on Nov. 10; “Power and Privilege” on March 23 at the Holly Pointe Building, 220 S. Main St.; and “Intent vs. Impact” on April 20 at the YWCA Butler.
Short earned a bachelor’s degree in political science and urban studies from the University of Pittsburgh and has been executive director of YWCA Butler for three years.
The YWCA’s mission, Short said, is to eliminate racism, empower women and to promote peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all.
“So when you think about the concepts and the business practices of diversity, equity and inclusion, our mission here at the YWCA intersects with all those things,” she said. “That’s what we are here for. That is what we are here to do.
“Knowing there is a desire from the local business community to further their practice on the issues of diversity, equity and inclusion made us look at our presentation and orient it toward something very interactive and engaging, with things participants can put into practice in their own workplace.”
Business representatives may avoid conversations about diversity, equity and inclusion at work “because they are not sure how to approach the topics,” Short said.
Those attending “Inclusive Conversations” will learn about ground rules for culturally sensitive conversations that include focusing on the impact of words rather than on their intent, being comfortable with being uncomfortable and, Short said, being “OK with nonclosure.
“This is going to be work that is ongoing.”
A discounted cost of $35 is available for those who register to attend “Inclusive Conversations,” “Power and Privilege” and “Intent vs. Impact.”
