Myrtle Beach Leader

Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce’s Educated Voices on Leading and Valuing Equity (EVOLVE) Series is back as a four-part series for 2023.
The series is for anyone looking to expand their knowledge of concepts related to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) and will explore the opportunities created by inclusive workplaces. The EVOLVE Series is sponsored by TD Bank.

Dr. Franklin Ellis, associate dean and director of the Center for Inclusive Communities at Furman University, is the instructor for all four parts. He also taught the final class of the 2022 EVOLVE Series.

Ellis is a Florence, S.C., native and graduate of Coastal Carolina University with more than 20 years’ experience in higher education. He earned a doctorate in marriage and family therapy from the Chicago School of Professional Psychology in Westwood, Calif.

This year, the series is designed to begin with an introduction to DEI and then build on the foundational knowledge with each subsequent session.

Registration costs $50 per person and includes attendance at all four workshops. Participants will receive a certificate of completion at the end of the fourth session. All sessions will be held in the boardroom at the chamber. Membership with the chamber is not required to participate.

The Sessions:

Exploring Our Socialized Identities: March 3, 9 a.m.

This session will give participants the opportunity to explore social identities and how a person’s identity affects the way they navigate the world. Participants will leave this session with a foundational understanding of terms in DEI and how our identities show up in and influence our workplace environment.

Cultural Wealth: June 9, 9 a.m.

Diversity brings innovation to any organization. Having a higher representation of diverse people brings diversity of culture, backgrounds and thought. Participants will leave this session with knowledge of the six traits of cultural wealth and how to incorporate them in the workplace.

From Managing Diversity to Leveraging Difference: Sept. 21, 9 a.m.

Diversity is a fact; inclusion is a choice. DEI efforts often fail when DEI is seen as a problem to be solved versus as an opportunity to be seized. This session will focus on how to leverage differences in the workplace to advance organizational culture, innovation, productivity and gains.

Inclusive Hiring Practices: Nov. 16, 9 a.m.

Creating and managing a diverse workforce is an ongoing process. Participants will leave this session with an understanding of how to hire, supervise, support and retain a diverse workforce as well as tools to make your workplace more culturally competent.

Original source can be found here.