Building a Culture of Inclusion and Belonging

To foster an inclusive culture, it is imperative that all individuals that share in the culture of a given space feel a sense of belonging. Individuals should feel safe and celebrated, and should not face challenges or barriers to expressing their authentic selves. As a first step, it is important to look deep within ourselves to determine the impact of our self-identity. Once we embrace our identity, it becomes a natural progression toward celebration of diverse identities within our organizations. We all have a role in building relationships as a foundation to creating positive culture. We need to understand our biases, and how these can affect our mindset, as well as shape our approach to the world around us. Through table discussions and thought-provoking ideas, this session aims to further understanding of our impact on organizational culture, and strategies that can be used to combat inequities, challenges injustices, and celebrate diversity.