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2021 Workshops

Uncomfortable Conversations that Ignite Change, was a 5-part dialogue series that Diversity Leadership Alliance developed in early 2020 as a direct response to the tragic and senseless killing of George Floyd and so many other African American men and women in our communities as it spoke squarely to the deep-rooted, systemic racism that exists in America today. DLA recognized that we must remain vigilant in identifying, addressing, and eradicating this racism in order to bring about real change. We took all of the pain, hurt, anger, and fear that the community was experiencing and harnessed that energy into a powerful tool of action, where through Education we could begin a series of healing dialogues that could impart change. Each workshop covered a different topic including Race and Racism, Unconscious Bias, Microaggression, Privilege, and How to become an Anti-Racist. Each dialogue was designed to be a safe space and place to have difficult but meaningful, open, and honest conversations that became turning points and actionable items that ignited change. The goal of the dialogue series was to begin to cultivate a sustainable environment of inclusivity, diversity, equity, and belonging. What we soon realized is that there is much work to be done so in 2021…the dialogue continues.

In 2021, Diversity Leadership Alliance will introduce “UncomfortableConversations that Ignite Change – the dialogue continues”, an (8-part) continuation of our powerful dialogue series which will address the Systems of inequities we see in Education, Healthcare, Food Accessibility/Insecurity, and Technology. By having these meaningful dialogues with Corporate, Community, and Non-profit members, we hope to eliminate some of the racist thoughts, behaviors, and actions within the Systems, encourage advocacy and social justice and promote diversity, equity, and inclusion for all of its members.

Workshop Recordings

Missed a workshop? We are making recordings available on our website for those who missed or want to review a previous workshop.

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Workshop Archive

If you have any questions about our workshops regarding subject matter or registration please contact us.

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2021 Workshops

2021 Uncomfortable Conversations Dialogue #9

SOCIAL SUSTAINABILITY “The Indigenous practice of Being” WORKSHOP DESCRIPTION Indigeneity recognizes the cultural, religious, and holistic contributions of Indigenous people. This webinar acknowledges that while people are not all native to the Americas, they are all indeed connected to indigenous tribal communities from the ancestors of their land of origin. This unique DLA webinar will address the problematic patterns of …

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2021 Uncomfortable Conversation Dialogue #8

TRANSGENDER INCLUSION “Helping Transgender employees feel a true sense of belonging in the workplace” WORKSHOP DESCRIPTION Despite growing public knowledge and awareness of Transgender individuals, many still face stigma, hostility, and discrimination in the workplace. Some employers are not equipped with the supportive Culture or policies designed to protect and support their Trans employees, leading to issues with retention and …

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2021 Uncomfortable Conversations – Dialogue #7

WIRED DIFFERENTLY “Embracing Neurodiversity in the Workplace” WORKSHOP DESCRIPTION The world as we know it has changed and now more than ever, includes many individuals that are unique and wired differently. Neurodiverse individuals in the workforce think, learn and process information differently and are a vital and valuable, contribution to any team’s overall success. They contribute to building a more …

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2021 Uncomfortable Conversations – Dialogue #6

FOOD APARTHEID “How Hunger and Food Insecurity Affects us ALL” WORKSHOP DESCRIPTION Did you know that in the City of Phoenix, 42.5% of people live in a food desert? This means that nearly half of all the people living in Phoenix in these 43 food desert areas do not have access to healthy food due to lack of healthy …

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2021 Uncomfortable Conversations – Dialogue #5

MENTAL HEALTH and our evolving workplace norms “Facing the complex emotions associated with resuming in-person work” WORKSHOP DESCRIPTION After over a year of working remotely, many employees have mixed emotions about resuming in-person work and returning to the office, including excitement, anxiety, fear, and uncertainty, to name a few. Concerns about exposure to the COVID-19 virus, reduction in flexibility, …

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2021 Uncomfortable Conversations…SPECIAL EDITION

Standing strong and united in solidarity with our Asian American and Pacific Island (AAPI) brothers and sisters, DLA presents a special edition, “Uncomfortable conversations that ignite change, We are not Silent: Stories and Support for the AAPI community.” Racially motivated hate crimes and harassment have been systemic in America for people of color and other vulnerable populations for hundreds of years. …

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2021 Uncomfortable Conversations…the Dialogue Continues #4

In 2021, DLA continues its impactful dialogue series “UNCOMFORTABLE CONVERSATIONS THAT IGNITE CHANGE”. This year, we dig even deeper to unearth some deep-rooted systems of inequity and oppression in Education, Healthcare, Food Systems and Technology. The 2021 dialogues will be all about listening and learning and were created because we want these conversations to mean something. Our desire is for …

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2021 Uncomfortable Conversations…the Dialogue Continues #3

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2021 Uncomfortable Conversations…the Dialogue Continues #2

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2021 Uncomfortable Conversations…the Dialogue Continues #1

In 2021, DLA continues its impactful dialogue series “UNCOMFORTABLE CONVERSATIONS THAT IGNITE CHANGE”. This year, we dig even deeper to unearth some deep rooted systems of inequity and oppression in Education, Healthcare, Food Systems and Technology. The 2021 dialogues will be all about listening and learning and were created because we want these conversations to mean something. Our desire is …

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Workshop Locations

The DLA Workshop locations are sponsored by our partners at Marciopa Community College District and are hosted at various Community College locations. Sample details for each college location is shown below. We recommend you print the campus map and directions at your convenience before attending each workshop. Please note that 2-3 workshops per year are hosted at other Corproate and Community venues.

Do we have reserved parking for the workshops?

There are no reserved spaces for the DLA workshops. Parking is on a first-come basis. Print the campus map for your convenience and review the parking lot options.

Will there be signage on campus for the event?

Signage may not always be provided on each campus since there are many entry points to enter the various parking lots. Once you register, you will receive a confirmation email with the building location and room which can be located on the campus map.

Paradise Valley
Community College

18401 N 32nd St, Phoenix, AZ 85032
Center for Performing Arts (CPA)
view map »
Mesa Community College

1833 W Southern Ave, Mesa, AZ 85202
Kirk Student Center (KSC) – Navajo Room
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Phoenix College

1202 W Thomas Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85013
John Paul Theatre
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Scottsdale Community College

9000 E Chaparral Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85256
Student Center (SC) – Turquoise Room
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Estrella Mountian Community College

3000 N Dysart Rd, Avondale, AZ 85392
Estrella Conference Center
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Chandler – Gilbert Community College

Pecos Campus
2626 E Pecos Rd
Chandler, AZ 85225
Room – Pecos Agave Community Room
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Gateway Community College

108 N 40th St, Phoenix, AZ 85034
IE 1302 – Cooper Room
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South Mountain Community College

7050 S 24th St, Phoenix, AZ 85042
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Glendale Community College

6000 W Olive Ave, Glendale, AZ 85302
Student Union (SU) 104 DE
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Phoenix Valley Community College

18401 N 32nd St, Phoenix, AZ 85032
Center for Performing Arts (CPA)
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COX

17602 N Black Canyon Hwy, Phoenix, AZ 85053
Tigerman Hall
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Desert Willow Conference Center

4340 E Cotton Blvd, Phoenix, AZ 85040
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Sheraton Phoenix Downtown Hotel

340 N 3rd St, Phoenix, AZ 85004
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DLA Programs and Events

The purpose of DLA’s programs and events are:

Provide educational opportunities, tools, and resources to build an inclusive community.
Assist students to transition from school to work and/or adulthood.

Monthly Educational Workshops

Monthly workshops or seminars, with attendance averaging over 100 attendees per workshop or seminar, feature world- class diversity and inclusion practice leaders. The focus is to promote leadership skills and educate attendees on a wide variety of topics. Participants gain valuable tools and information that can be implemented in their organizations and community. Workshops are always FREE to attend however registration is required. Past workshops have included topics such as The Art of Forgiveness, Unintentional Bias, Microinequities, Multicultural Do’s and Don’ts and the State of Mentoring & How to Make it Work for your Organization.

Join us for our next workshop or seminar by browsing the link below. If you have an idea for a workshop or seminar please contact us and let us know.

View Monthly Workshops
Annual Diversity Conference

The annual conference, with attendance as high as 1,700, features multiple workshops, executive and legal forums and nationally recognized keynote speakers. This year’s conference celebrates 18 years of Diversity and Inclusion and will be held on November 15, 2019 at the Sheraton Downtown Phoenix.

This year, DLA is proud to be celebrating its 18th Year. The conference will be held on Friday, November 15th at the Sheraton in Downtown Phoenix. “OUR STORIES” Fostering Conversations that Ignite Change is this year’s conference theme. We will recognize, celebrate and honor companies and individuals blazing the Diversity and Inclusion Trail including a Youth Diversity Advocate, a person under the age of 30 in our newly created Youth Inclusion Leader category. Rounding out the 2019 stories we will celebrate overcoming, belonging and allyship in three dynamic conference experiences.

Storytelling is a unique and powerful way to teach, persuade and understand ourselves and others. It is a uniquely human trait and has been with us nearly as long as we’ve been able to speak. Whether it evolved out of necessity or was simply a by-product of our own intellectual development, stories are deeply embedded in our DNA. Across time and across cultures, stories have proven their worth not just as works of art, historical perspective or amusement, but as catalysts for change. Come listen and learn while you share your story, setting aside judgments and biases and exploring the possibilities that come when we are truly connected.

View 2021 Diversity Conference
Diversity & Inclusion Award Recipients

Each year at our Annual Conference, DLA celebrates and recognizes Arizona individuals and companies that lead by example, creating an inclusive environment that enhances and strengthens the community. Nominees must have operations in the State of Arizona.

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Youth Leadership Academy

The Youth Leadership Academy supports Phoenix area high school students. This program is designed to support students transitioning from high school to college or directly into the workforce. Students are provided tools to create and sharpen their leadership skills. Students also receive resources, funding, and guidance to help them pursue Higher Education or obtain satisfying employment. This year we are pleased to announce new scholarship donors, Mountain Park Health Center and Maya Cinemas who have graciously agreed to support the DLA Leadership Academy for the next 5 years!

View Youth Leadership

Education Committee

2020 WORKSHOP THEME “SHARING OUR STORIES” Continued…

” Never Stop Sharing”
“Stories are the communal currency of humanity.” — Tahir Shah, in Arabian Nights.

Storytelling is a unique and powerful way to teach, persuade, and understand ourselves and others; where we are different and where we are the same. It is a uniquely human trait and has been with us nearly as long as we’ve been able to speak. Whether it evolved out of necessity or was simply a by-product of our own intellectual development, stories are deeply embedded in our DNA. Across time and across cultures, stories have proved their worth not just as works of art, historical perspective or amusement, but as catalysts for change.

We all love stories; sharing some of our favorite experiences or finding ourselves in another’s adventures. It may be a tale of victory after overcoming impossible odds or simply a memorable moment that happened to us in passing. Nevertheless, storytelling allows us to learn about ourselves and others and what is possible.

So, 2019 will be all about Sharing Our Stories, setting aside judgments and biases, listening and learning, and exploring the possibilities for tomorrow.
Every time somebody shares their experiences with us, we get to see what is truly possible. The benefit that shared experiences afford us, as a human race, is a deeper understanding of us all.

Who are you?
Where have you come from?
What do you know?
What experiences have you had?
What are you trying to share and give to us all?
Please share your story, and I will share mine.

A story can only be a story if it is shared. That’s what makes the act of sharing just as fundamental to storytelling as the experience itself. Once a story is shared it becomes part of us all. We are all part of each other’s stories.
Plan to join us in 2019 in Sharing Our Stories.

A Message From the Education Committee Chair

Mallary Tytel, Chair
DLA Diamonds

Education Committee

Telling Our Story: The Diversity Leadership Alliance Education Committee

“If you want to go fast go alone. If you want to go far go together.”
– African Proverb

For the past 9 years, I have had the privilege of being part of the DLA Education Committee and am honored to now serve as its new Chair. The DLA Education Committee helps plan, coordinate, and implement the ongoing education programs and events for our community, members, sponsors, and participants. Our regular, half-day programs are open to the community free-of-charge and focus on new and emerging topics around inclusion and fitting into our world. Ours is a group process, working together to identify and invite the most knowledgeable and effective speakers, catalysts, content experts, and guides to facilitate our monthly programs, while increasing knowledge and raising awareness.

Our objectives include

Developing skills and disseminating information through new tools and models
Building our own individual and collective capacities
Offering resources to identify innovative research and potential solutions for the changing work environment
Providing a safe venue for asking tough questions and understanding changing norms, customs, and expectations
Listening, observing, and welcoming new points of view

We do not operate within a vacuum. As educators as well as advocates, we reach out to, encourage action and participation, and seek the experiences and expertise of our members and participants. Together we may not find all the answers but through learning, commitment, and sharing our stories, we will come up with the right questions.