Facilitating Effective DEI Discussions
Train-the-Trainer Certificate Program
Do any of these thoughts sound familiar to you?
- "I know how important it is for my workplace to engage in conversations about race, gender, and other social identities, but I'm afraid I'll say or do something to make things worse!"
- "I tried to start this conversation at my workplace, and it was a disaster!"
- "I know we should probably hire a diversity professional to facilitate these conversations, but they are expensive and I really want to learn how to do this myself!"
Studies show that one of the main reasons diversity trainings fail is because of an unqualified and/or
inexperienced facilitator who is ill-prepared and/or who unintentionally microaggresses during a training or discussion. This causes a feeling of mistrust among the participants which can lead to resistance, backlash, and ultimately exactly the opposite of the desired effect of the training or discussion.
Get FEDD! (Facilitating Effective DEI Discussions)
In this 8-week Train-the-Trainer Certificate Program you will learn to avoid these common pitfalls and facilitate an inclusive, effective conversation that can transform your team, your workplace, and your company culture.
Book a meeting with Dr. Samuels to get started!
The DSC FEDD Certificate program provides:
- effective language to facilitate the conversations
- an opportunity to uncover and reflect on your own biases and behaviors
- specific skillful strategies for effectively facilitating difficult conversations
- an opportunity to ask questions along the way from Dr. Samuels, who has been leading these discussions effectively for almost 25 years
- preparation to engage in conversations about race, gender, sexuality, and other potentially volatile topics in the workplace
- the choice to take the course one-on-one with Dr. Samuels, or with a group of your colleagues and Dr. Samuels. Decide what's best for you and your organization!
Learn new skills
Gain specific strategies to preempt challenges and resistance during these often challenging conversations.
Get a fresh perspective
Learn how to effectively and inclusively call people in to the conversation rather than calling them out on their behavior.
Create an inclusive culture
Learn how to increase trust, openness, and a sense of belonging in your organization.
What is included?
8 Weeks / course includes:
- 5 weeks live scheduled with Dr. Samuels at your convenience (90 minutes each)
- 3 weeks pre-recorded/self-paced interactive courses led by Dr. Samuels (2 hours each)
- Homework - short essays
- Facilitation Assessment
- Certificate for successful completion of the program
What are the details?
8 Weeks / course content:
- Week 1: Intro & Overview
- Week 2: Intro to D&I - unpacking terms, social identities, self-reflection
- Week 3: Using Mindfulness as a tool for effective facilitation
- Week 4: Implicit/Unconscious Bias - understanding bias, self-reflection
- Week 5: Microaggressions - what we don't know we don't know; how to effectively intervene
- Week 6: Facilitation Skills - story telling and receiving; how to navigate an effective discussion
- Week 7: Dealing with Resistance - what to do if contention arises; how to pre-empt resistance
- Week 8: Conclusion Q&A - addressing fears and concerns
We will find a mutually convenient time to meet for 90 minutes/week for the 5 weeks we will be together in a virtual classroom. For the other 3 weeks, you do the self-paced work on your own schedule (each is approx. 2 hours).
If one-on-one, Week 8 will include an assessment; if in a group, additional time may need to be scheduled after Week 8 to assess facilitation competency.
What is the investment?
Cost for the DSC FEDD program:
Corporate Pricing
- 1 learner: $4597
- Group of 2: $3997 each
- Group of 3: $3497 each
- Group of 4 or more: $2997 each
Nonprofit Pricing
- 1 learner: $3997
- Group of 2: $3497 each
- Group of 3: $2997 each
- Group of 4 or more: $2497 each
Please call for larger group pricing
100% of previous students strongly agreed:
• “The program was valuable to me”
• “I received many concrete strategies that will help me in my work”
• “I would recommend this program to my colleagues”
About Dena Samuels Consulting
Dena Samuels, PhD
Mindfulness-Based Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Consultant
A Washington DC metro area, client-focused firm, Dena Samuels Consulting provides comprehensive, mindfulness-based diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) services from strategic planning to leadership development consulting and training. At DSC, we concentrate on systemic change: assessing and transforming the policies and practices of the organization to build inclusive excellence. All services are interactive and provide specific strategies and skills based on Dr. Samuels’ more than 20 years of experience effectively engaging these topics as an award-winning tenured faculty member at the University of Colorado – Colorado Springs, and at more than 150 organizations, Fortune 50 corporations, and campuses, around the U.S. and beyond.
What makes our work different than other typical diversity firms is that we give participants the opportunity to mindfully reflect on their own attitudes, biases, and behavior in a compassionate, supportive atmosphere providing specific strategies for building culturally inclusive environments where every member feels like they belong. Being part of an inclusive community allows each member to bring their whole selves into their work, creating more robust solutions for problem-solving and innovation. Our goal is to assist you in the development of such a workspace for your organization to become a DEI world-class leader.
Save your spot right now and get FEDD!
Terms: It is recommended to reserve potential dates as soon as possible as our calendar fills quickly. Payment is required upon delivery of service (in special circumstances, 15 days later). A 3.5% processing fee will be applied to all credit card payments. Cancelation less than 2 weeks in advance of the first date of “Live” virtual classroom sessions will result in a $350 penalty fee.
DSC Financial Redistribution Policy: when standard fees are paid, 10% is reallocated to Black/Indigenous/People of Color – owned and/or operated organizations engaged in effective social justice activism and community-building. Please see https://www.denasamuels.com/about/ for more information.
Thank you for your consideration.
