Through Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) training programs, the Urban League of Northwest Indiana, with the support of the READI grant, has embarked on an initiative to empower 16 organizations to create more diverse and inclusive workplaces. Urban League equips employees with the knowledge and skills to foster a culture of respect, understanding, and belonging. As a result, organizations serviced with DEI training by Urban League across the Region are experiencing a positive shift in their work environments and a renewed commitment to creating a more equitable future for all.
"I am extremely happy that the NWI Forum approved the READI grant proposal to provide Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion professional development training to Northwest Indiana businesses and non-profit agencies," said Dr. Vanessa Allen-McCloud, Ed.D., President and CEO of Urban League of Northwest Indiana. "More specifically, I welcomed the response from those business leaders who reached out seeking DEI training for their leadership teams as well as their staff. These are courageous conversations held in a safe environment whereby people can share, enhance learning, and use the learned skills in the workplace and community."
Urban League is a civic organization working toward enhancing housing, employment, and educational opportunities for African Americans and other minority groups in Lake, Porter, and La Porte counties. Through the bestowment of the READI grant, Urban League has worked to bring DEI training to 16 organizations including education, manufacturing, and social agencies. With similar integrity, the READI grant, funded by the Indiana Economic Development Corporation, aims to promote strategic investments in selected groups to promote economic growth and talent to improve Indiana's quality of life, place, and opportunity.
“DEI Awareness training is designed to create a work environment where everyone feels safe to express themselves and feel a connectedness in the organization’s goals, missions and values," said Dr. Linda Gunn, Ph.D, CPHRM, ACC, President and CEO of AGS Consulting, Inc and the lead DEI Consultant for Urban League. "With DEI, organizations are able to increase recruitment, retention, and productivity. We provide a safe space for people to share their experiences and allow processes, policies and procedures to develop thus moving from words to action. These are essential in building real connections between employees, colleagues, and management."
With its workshops, Urban League supplies surveys and polls to cover important issues that exist within each particular industry and then work to help employees and employers learn about how to address said issues.
"The beauty of these workshops and training opportunities is that they lay the foundation of respect," said Gunn. "Those involved with the READI grant are from all different cultural backgrounds and levels of expertise, and they collaborate to boost innovation and creativity within their respective organizations. Unique experiences, perspectives, and knowledge among these diverse teams bring forth innovative, pioneering ideas to the table in the hopes that everyone can see how DEI works and how it can be integrated into their missions, goals, and values."
Nationwide, DEI training and workshops often have trouble gaining traction within business practices due to a lack of financial support and widespread misinformation regarding its positive intentions. The READI grant chose to fund Urban League to help secure, implement, and exemplify DEI as a successful business strategy for Indiana organizations to follow suit.
Passionate advocates for diverse opportunities, like those in Urban League, take pride in bringing training programs to organizations and are optimistic that their DEI work will help inspire safe spaces and conversations across the Region despite the challenges.
"One of the biggest oppositions to our work is tribalism," said Danny Lackey, Ed.D, President of DL Consulting Services LLC and co-facilitator for DEI services for Urban League. "Cultural tribalism keeps people from being able to see others who may think differently from them. They see these others as threats rather than positive thinkers. There is so much dissension and division that I believe works against us as a society and in the promotion of DEI."
The Urban League is utilizing the READI grant to help rectify and highlight past and present societal injustices within the workforce by allowing spaces for crucial uncomfortable conversations and creating positive language practices that endorse a respectful and productive work environment.
"The misinformation about DEI and critical race theory is huge and causes a great injustice," said Lackey. "The climate we live in now makes it difficult for organizations to come to the table and say yes to DEI."
In order to best measure the success of DEI within the 16 selected organizations, Urban League integrates a multifaceted approach including pre and post-tests, customization to each industry, data-driven results, and internal DEI committees. For the future, Urban League intends to continue its legacy to integrate and sustain DEI throughout Northwest Indiana.
"We know that DEI is a marathon, and not a sprint," said Gunn. "DEI has to be integrated into the organizations' pillars, vision, and mission. DEI awareness training highlights the important benefits of having a diverse, equitable, and inclusive work culture which creates an environment that empowers employees. It also helps to nurture connection, by giving feedback that fosters positive workplace change which helps to build up a better and stronger economy."
For more information about Urban League of Northwest Indiana, visit urbanleagueofnwi.org.
