(FLINT, Mich. – Feb. 16, 2021) Diversity, equity and inclusion—also known as DEI—is an important topic for business and organizational leaders throughout Flint, Genesee County and beyond. To assist local employers in ensuring that DEI is treated as a top priority in the workplace, the Flint & Genesee Chamber of Commerce is hosting a two-hour virtual training focused on the subject on Wednesday, Feb. 24.
The Diversity & Inclusion Workshop, scheduled for 9-11 a.m., will make the business case for implementing DEI efforts in the workplace. Attendees will learn how to build more inclusive environments where employees are able to thrive as their authentic selves. Additionally, they will learn to check and control their implicit biases and effectively facilitate critical conversations.
The two-hour training will be led by Graci Harkema, who specializes in diversity, inclusion and implicit bias training and talent management within Fortune 500, small businesses and nonprofit organizations. The owner of Graci LLC, Harkema was recognized as a 2015 and 2020 ‘40 Under Forty Business Leader of West Michigan’ and named a 2020 honoree of ‘200 Most Powerful Business Leaders of West Michigan’ by the Grand Rapids Business Journal.
“I know what it feels like to work in environments where I couldn’t be my authentic self, which presented barriers towards me reaching my potential,” Harkema said. “Research shows that team performance increases by 50 percent when everyone feels included. This workshop will provide a safe space for participants to learn how to create a more inclusive and equitable work environment.”
For the full news release, click here.
About Flint & Genesee Chamber of Commerce
The Flint & Genesee Chamber of Commerce (www.flintandgenesee.org) is a premier business membership organization unlike most chambers of commerce. In addition to traditional member services, our responsibility includes serving as the lead economic development agency for Flint & Genesee, marketing tourism, youth programs, and leadership development and business training.