The free workshop is intended for people who work to improve diversity and inclusion for organizations where they work, such as universities, local governments, companies, social agencies and community centers.
The workshop “is just providing the foundation, rather than the actual solutions,” Dlamini said. “In the (two) days, the people already start thinking about what interventions they could put in place, who else they need to bring on board, how to network, how to partner with other organizations within the community. So it’s both content and sort-of a practical solution.”
Dlamini works with the Wits Centre for Diversity Studies at Witwatersrand University in Johannesburg, South Africa, which provides the “tools and scaffolding” organizations need to do diversity work themselves.
The workshop can help businesses and organizations “learn about a diverse workforce and just try to get some partnership buy-in, so we can start building a really strong team of businesses, concerned citizens and city officials, so that we can be more inclusive of our population,” said Rosemary Haverkos, a GIS administrator for the city and vice chairwoman of the diversity commission.
Organizers of the two-day workshop have room for several more participants. They ask that everyone who signs up be available for the entire workshop, which will run Wednesday and Thursday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. There will be breaks, and lunches will be provided.
Officials hope to fill the available spots by 5 p.m. Friday, but they will extend the deadline on a first-come, first-seated basis after that. Participants will receive email confirmations by Monday. The BTW center (1140 S. Front St., Hamilton) will host the workshop.
To register, contact Nicollette Staton at nicollette.staton@hamilton-oh.gov or 513-785-7219.
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