YW Boston offers one-time workshops to organizations interested in advancing their diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts. These facilitated trainings build greater knowledge, communication,
and culture.
As racial equity increasingly surges to the national spotlight, organizations are looking for ways to engage employees in meaningful conversations. YW Boston offers one-time DEI Workshops to organizations looking to prepare for InclusionBoston, as a way to support action plans developed through the program, and to organizations who are not yet ready to commit to the full program. Our interactive DEI Workshops empower participants to turn knowledge into action.
How do they work?
DEI Workshops move beyond awareness and towards action by building knowledge that can shift attitudes and behaviors. Our expert facilitators guide participants through a multi-step process of personal reflection, knowledge development, and communication and culture building. Our facilitators are highly trained in workshop content, adult education, and facilitation. YW Boston is frequently honored for the impact of its racial equity work, most recently by Color Magazine and the Northeast Human Resources Association.
Sessions can be facilitated remotely (online) or in person.
Who should participate?
In-person workshops can be tailored to groups ranging from 20-200 participants and can be run in succession to ensure all staff can participate.
Virtual workshops can accommodate up to 50 participants. Depending on the size and composition of the organization, we might recommend breaking up into smaller groups.
How long do workshops last?
The ideal length for an in-person workshop is three hours. The ideal length for a virtual workshop is two hours. The duration of some workshops can be tailored to 1 hour.
How much do workshops cost?
Workshops are priced on a sliding scale based on group size, workshop length, and type of organization.
Get reimbursed for DEI training with YW Boston through the Commonwealth Corporation’s Express Program
Interested in bringing DEI services to your organization but facing budget constraints? Get fully or partially reimbursed for DEI training with YW Boston through the Commonwealth Corporation’s Express Program. Visit https://commcorp.org/subprogram/wtfp-express-program or contact Sheera Bornstein at sheera@ywboston.org to learn more.
Workshop Offerings
Understanding Racial Equity
This workshop provides a comprehensive foundational understanding of race and racial equity. YW Boston’s expert facilitators introduce key terminology and concepts, including frameworks in which race operates. Participants reflect on identities individually, in affinity groups, and as a large group in a safe and structured environment. The workshop emphasizes using these learnings to move beyond knowledge and towards action. Learn More.
Understanding Social Identities
This workshop provides a comprehensive foundational understanding of social identities, what they are, how they are formed, and how social identities interact with systems of oppression in the form of social advantages and disadvantages. YW Boston’s expert facilitators introduce key concepts and historical context about which groups have accumulated social advantages and disadvantages. Participants reflect and apply learnings to their personal lives. Learn More.
Implicit Bias
This workshop provides a comprehensive foundational understanding of implicit or unconscious bias, its different manifestations, and how it can play out in the workplace. YW Boston’s expert facilitators introduce key terminology and concepts, including frameworks of how bias is formed. Participants are introduced to and practice applying YW Boston’s unique 5R’s approach to disrupting implicit bias. Learn More.
YW Boston suggests completing the following workshop prior to Implicit Bias: Understanding Racial Equity or Understanding Social Identity
Implicit Bias for Managers and Recruiters
Managers, recruiters, and supervisors explore how implicit bias is embedded in the decision-making process. This variation of our Implicit Bias workshop explores the impact of implicit bias on hiring, evaluation, and other managerial practices. Participants identify actionable strategies for building inclusivity and advancing equity within their organizations. Learn more.
YW Boston suggests completing the following workshop prior to Implicit Bias for Managers and Recruiters: Understanding Racial Equity or Understanding Social Identity
Microaggressions: What They Are, How to Avoid Them
Building on our Implicit Bias workshop, our Microaggressions workshop introduces participants to the concept of microaggressions and how they affect individuals across different identities. Participants explore the importance of addressing microaggressions and identify effective strategies for doing so. Facilitators focus on problem-solving and help participants develop new strategies, both for allies trying to disrupt microaggressions and for those experiencing them. Learn more.
YW Boston suggests completing the following workshop prior to Microaggressions: Implicit Bias
Intersectionality
Intersectionality, a term coined by scholar Kimberlé Crenshaw, describes the study of overlapping identities and the interaction between different power structures. In this workshop, participants are provided with a safe space to reflect on intersecting identities such as race, gender, class, sexual orientation, ability, and many others. By applying an intersectional framework, participants are better equipped to identify the impact of overarching power structures and address inequities in the workplace. Learn more.
Organizational Change to Achieve Equity
In this workshop, facilitators guide participants in identifying cultural and organizational change necessary to achieving equity in the workplace. Participants become familiar with key domains and best practices for organizational change. Then, they identify and begin exploring opportunities to bring learnings back to their organizations. Learn more.
The Role of Governing Boards in Driving DEI Work
In this workshop, facilitators guide participants in identifying cultural and organizational change necessary to achieving equity in the workplace and explore why governing boards have a crucial role in an organization’s DEI success. Participants become familiar with key domains and best practices for organizational change. Then, they identify and begin exploring opportunities to turn aspirations into reality. Learn more.
Request a Workshop
Please fill out the form below and a member of the YW Boston team will connect with you. For questions, you can contact Sheera Bornstein at sheera@ywboston.org or (617) 585-5420.
Check out a recording of our “Understanding Inequitable Systems as Violence” online workshop. This workshop, originally presented for John Hancock, fosters a better understanding of U.S. history and how inequitable systems perpetuate collective violence against Black and brown communities. The presentation ends with actionable strategies for organizations looking to make positive changes.