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DEI: the race is on

8/19/2020

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Note: I'm the vice president/president-elect of IABC Los Angeles (IABCLA), and I often post news of chapter happenings. Deborah Hudson, my fellow board member, wrote this overview of our recent DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) seminar for our group's blog. I wanted to share this important information. ​

With Farida Habeeb’s provocative blog entry, “Time to do the (Internal) Work,” IABCLA announced our focus campaign on DEI as a call to learning and action.

On August 5, we launched the campaign with a webinar, “The Race is On: Talking about Identity in the Corporate Workplace.” Joining DEI expert 
Farida Habeeb, Ph.D was Beverly Durham, principal of BLD Communications and member of the Los Angeles Diversity Council Advisory Board of ColorComm, a business community for women of color in communications.
The time is now

After briefly reviewing the current reckoning on unequal justice in social and professional life, the leaders called for communicators to lead brave conversations on diversity. They reminded participants of the powerful business case for diversity as a driver of performance. They also pointed out that the clock is ticking down on diversity – as the U.S. moves to a majority minority nation in 2045.
Cultural terms and identifiers

The webinars explored cultural identifiers, our overlapping visible and invisible identities – who we are in terms of age, disability, sex, gender, class, race, religion, nationality, education and more – that define us and control how we see the world. To prepare for and build effective community, we have to lead conversations that honors and bridges these identities.

With an interactive small group exercise, where each participant built a 360-degree identity wheel based on personal identifiers and their relative weight, we explored how our multiple identities overlap, in some cases leaving people vulnerable to multiple levels of discrimination.
Conversations in color
​

At this inflection point, how do we as communications professionals start and advance conversation about identity with customers, employees and corporate leaders?
Based on their experience and expertise, Beverly Durham and Faridah Habeeb left us with practical tips for leading the conversation about DEI.
 With employees:
  • Be vulnerable
  • Know the purpose and details before you start
  • Listen inclusively
  • Avoid comparisons in experience
  • Support employee-determined feedback channels (surveys, intranet feedback links, etc.)

 With customers:
  • Be honest
  • Commit to doing the work
  • Amplify POC (people of color) voices and resources.
This is just the first of IABCLA’s programs to meet the day’s challenge of DEI. If you have a suggestion for a webinar or panel discussion, let us know. Reach out to IABCLA’s president at [email protected].

IABC says: We see you. We hear you. We are with you.
IABCLA adds: Let’s get together and have conversations that matter.
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IABCLA enjoyed lively discussion during virtual happy hour on July 30

8/8/2020

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Thank you to Jeff Willinger for hosting IABCLA’s Happy Hour on July 30! Jeff led an energetic  conversation on managing online teams. 

The chapter is committed to helping communications professionals stay connected and build their careers during these challenging times. The group will continue to host online events in the weeks and months to come, including additional happy hours.

Please stay up to date on happenings by visiting the organization’s website — IABCLA.com — and by following the group on social media: Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram. 

(Note: I’m IABCLA's vice president/president-elect, and I often post updates on chapter happenings.)
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Join IABCLA's diversity seminar on August 5

8/2/2020

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The business case for diversity is now overwhelming — but how do we begin to have the conversations that will move the needle on representation in our organizations?
​

​Join Beverly Durham, program director of ColorComm, and Farida Habeeb, Ph.D., communications and DE&I expert, for IABCLA's interactive webinar — “The Race Is On: Talking About Identity in the Corporate Workplace” --
​on Wednesday, August 5 at 12 p.m. PST via Zoom. 


Beverly and Farida will break down how to talk about identity in the workplace. Participants will leave with actionable steps for culturally sensitive communication with customers, employees, and corporate leadership.

Click here to sign up!

(Note: I’m IABCLA's vice president/president-elect, and I often post updates on chapter happenings.)
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    I'm Eli Natinsky and I'm a communication specialist. This blog explores my work and professional interests. I also delve into other topics, including media, marketing, pop culture, and technology.

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