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The "What" of the Diversity Learning Series
The Diversity Learning Series model was started in Seattle, Washington by the Gildeane Group and has been successfully functioning for the last 12 years. K. Iwata Associates, Inc. is their Bay Area licensee with the rights to utilize and access their models and resources to provide the same high quality of education/training programming for Bay Area employers.
The goal of the Diversity Learning Series is to provide educational experiences where participants gain strategies and tools for building inclusive, innovative organizations and everyone can thrive and contribute. It uses a collaborative approach in which progressive Bay Area employers join forces to increase their ability to leverage resources to enhance organizational performance with Diversity & Inclusion.
Key features of the Series are:
- Six, four hour sessions during the year focused on an annual Diversity and Inclusion theme.
- Faculty selected from national and international thought leaders, authors and experts with specialties in diversity management and organizational and individual change.
- Sessions structured to be highly interactive with application practice as a critical component.
Supporting components for organizational subscribers of the Series are the Diversity & Inclusion Leaders Forum and the Executive Symposium.
Diversity & Inclusion Leaders Forum has the following responsibilities and benefits:
- Members participate in an annual planning meeting and subsequent planning committees to develop each year's theme and topics
- Select topics for the Executive Symposium
- In-depth dialogues (3 hrs.) with presenters following the Series general sessions
- Promotes professional development and networking for its members
The Executive Symposium is an annual session designed for executives. Speakers are drawn from the cadre of Series faculty and executives from best practice companies.
The "Why" Benefits
The Series offers several benefits:
- Leverages resources by joining employers in the Bay Area
- Customizes content which reflects regional issues
- Content is identified by the Diversity & Inclusion Leaders Forum which is comprised of representatives from Bay Area employers.
- Encourages greater participation of managers, leaders, diversity champions, diversity council and Employee Resource Groups and HR professionals by eliminating costly travel time & expenses.
- Reinforces through a yearly format which is based on a topical theme (i.e., global diversity, D&I metrics, navigating organizational culture, dealing with diversity "eggshell" issues) and guided by learning objectives. Each of the six sessions addresses critical aspects necessary to meet the learning objectives.
- Provides exposure to relevant, challenging content, valuable tools, skill building and best practice strategies using an interactive learning model.
- Provides managers and employees the opportunity to interface and build networks with their peers at other companies & organizations in their region.
- Instills the concept that D&I is a process that requires continual learning.
- Attendees gain valuable tools and strategies to take back to apply at their work site.
The "How"
Each year sponsors purchase at one of the five available levels which provides:
- A specified number of seats at each of the six sessions
- Membership for two (Pewter Level for non-profits one membership) in the Diversity & Inclusion Leaders Forum
K. Iwata Associates, Inc. manages the processes and logistics necessary for sustainable success of the Diversity Learning Series. We are licensed from the GilDeane Group to use their 12 year proven model and tools (The Northwest Diversity Learning Series) for planning, implementing and reinforcing the effectiveness of the Series.
One of the key components for success of the Series is the adherence to a set of guiding principles for both the organizers/subscribes of the Series and the attendees. They are as follows:
- Apply a learning model consisting of Knowledge + Attitude + Skills + Tools + Application Practice.
- Foster a learning environment which encourages engagement and participation.
- Seek and include a diversity of perspectives and approaches to increase innovation.
- Respect that everyone has their "truth".
- Ensure fairness and equity in having different voices heard.
- Demonstrate integrity by keeping your word.
- Be fearless and lean into discomfort to learn.
- Be accountable for your learning.
- D&I competency building (personal and organizational) is a learning journey.
Examples of Annual Themes
Here are examples of the kind of annual themes (each of which had 6 supporting sessions presented by various experts in the field) that have been successfully delivered in the Northwest Diversity Learning Series.
- Foundation of Diversity Work in Organizations
- Developing Intercultural Communication Skills
- Resolving Diversity Conflicts
- Dialogue on Diversity
- Becoming Diversity Champions
- Personal Accountability for Diversity and Inclusion
- Designing the Strategy for Competitive Advantage
- Navigating Organizational Opportunities
- Challenging and Expanding My Diversity Competency: Moving Beyond My Comfort Zone
- Leveraging the Tensions of Diversity: Igniting Sparks of Opportunity
- A New Era of Relationships: Traveling Uncharted Paths
- Think Diversity: Act Inclusively
Past Presenters
| Dr. Price Cobbs |
Lee Gardenswartz & Anita Rowe |
| Marilyn Loden |
Lobna Ismal & Alex Kronemer |
| Ed Hubbard |
Donna Stringer |
| Leslie Aguilar |
Stella Ting Toomey |
| Thomas Kochman & Jean Mavrellis |
Bill Proudman |
Bay Area Diversity Learning Series Current Series: Diversity & Inclusion-Tackling the Tough Issues
This is our launch year in the Bay Area. K. Iwata Associates, Inc. has identified the learning theme and six sessions for the year. In the future The Diversity & Inclusion Forum will take a leading role in creating the annual theme and session topics. For the current series Forum members will help fine tune the theme and sessions to reflect the needs and interests of their organizations.
Overarching Goals for Diversity & Inclusion: Tackling the Tough Issues
To offer participants opportunities to better manage the tough issues confronting Diversity & Inclusion by:
- Increasing at both the cognitive and emotional level their understanding of the issues
- Exploring innovative ways to address the issues
- Acquiring new skills and competencies
- Accessing new tools to increase effectiveness
- Having opportunities to apply what they learn
Proposed Sessions: Diversity & Inclusion: Tackling the Tough Issues
| Session |
Topics |
| 1. |
Eggshell #1: Does Diversity Really Drive Innovation? |
| 2. |
Eggshell #2: What about the White Guys? |
| 3. |
Eggshell #3 The Viability of your Employee Resource Groups? |
| 4. |
Eggshell #4:"We leave our politics at the door." Really? Probably Not! |
| 5. |
Eggshell #5: Generational Dynamics: Style, Expectations & Connectivity |
| 6. |
Eggshell #6: Tensions between Women of Color and White Women |
 Where: DLS sessions will be held at The Alameda Conference Training Center. As our major In-kind Gold Subscriber the County is providing a wonderful site and continental breakfast.
  We welcome REI and AAA Northern California, Nevada and Utah as a Bonze Subcribers.
Subscription Levels
| Level |
Features |
Costs |
| Platinum |
25 seats per session
2 D&I Leaders Forum Memberships |
$28,825 |
| Gold |
15 seats per session
2 D&I Leaders Forum Memberships |
$16,565 |
| Silver |
10 seats per session
2 D&I Leaders Forum Memberships |
$12,130 |
Bronze
(minimum corporate sponsorship) |
5 seats per session
2 D&I Leaders Forum Memberships |
$6,565 |
Pewter
(non-profits only) |
1 seats per session
1 D&I Leaders Forum Memberships |
$1,500 |
| In-Kind Funding: Hosting |
For meeting space, AV and Continental Breakfast |
Alameda Conference Training Center
Gold Sponsor |
Individual Purchases
| Packages |
Costs |
| Package of all 6 |
$1,320 |
| Package of 5 sessions |
$1,144 |
| Package of 4 sessions |
$960 |
| Package of 3 sessions |
$670 |
| Package of 2 sessions |
$456 |
| One Session |
$267 |
| Sponsors' additional individual seats |
$185 |
Annual Executive Symposium
| Registration |
Costs |
| Early Bird |
$395 |
| Regular |
$495 |
| Non-Profits |
$300 |
For more information please contact:
Kay Iwata
K. Iwata Associates Inc.
Office: 510-471-7840
Cell: 510-381-7248
kay@kiwata.com
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Bay Area Diversity Learning Series 