The State of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Nashville

R.S.V.P HERE

Thursday, November 21, 2024
11:30 am – 1:00 pm CT

Join us at the Mechanical Licensing Initiative in the Gulch for small group networking discussions and a fireside chat featuring leaders of organizations steadfast in their commitment to their inclusive workplace efforts. This event is free to participate in.​
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Legislation in Tennessee has directly attacked diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts. Well known organizations have issued statements retreating from their 2020 diversity goals. The results of the 2024 presidential election are unlikely to shield diversity initiatives from existential threats in Middle Tennessee. It all begs the question: What is the state of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Nashville?

Model Practices for Veterans Business Resource Groups

WATCH RECORDING HERE

Wednesday, November 6, 2024
11:30 am – 1:00 pm CT

Join us for a virtual panel featuring leaders of some of the most effective veterans BRGs in the country as we celebrate Veterans Day 2024.
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More organizations than ever have supported business resource groups (BRG) in 2024. An important part of that growth has been the creation and expansion of Veterans BRGs. What are model practices for Veterans BRGs? How do they help advance organizational inclusion and belonging efforts? How do they support our veterans and their families? How do we tie their activities to our missions and business objectives? Register below as we celebrate Veterans Day 2024 with a deep dive into Veterans BRGs.

Elevating the Voices of Black Women in Country Music

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Tuesday, March 13, 2024
11:00 am – 1:00 pm CT

Join us for a special in-person event sponsored by the Tennessee Diversity Consortium, “Elevating The Voices of Black Women in Country Music”.

County Music has made strides in recent years to become more inclusive and highlight women and artists of color. How are these efforts impacting the experiences of Black women on stage, at venues and behind the scenes? What are the main barriers and how can Country Music better support Black women in their creative and professional journey?

Co-Sponsored by Academy of Country Music, BMI, and Culture Shift Team and hosted at the National Museum of African American Music (NMAAM), this in person event will feature a reception at NMAAM and a special panel featuring Black women in the Country Music industry. Spaces are limited so please RSVP today!

The New Boogeyman? How to Sustain your Organization’s DEIB Efforts.

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Wednesday, November 1, 2023
11:30 am – 1:00 pm CT

The 2020 Racial Reckoning is three years passed. The inevitable backlash that comes with accelerated social progress is going full steam. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion efforts are being demonized, weaponized, and exploited for political gain. How do we navigate these rough waters? How do we ensure, despite these headwinds, we are positioning our organizations to grow and accomplish our missions? In an increasingly diverse talent and consumer market, what does it mean to advance diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility and belonging? Join us for this important webinar as we explore the path forward for DEIAB.
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Panelists:

  • Alicia Braswell – Sr. Manager, Diversity and Inclusion, Asurion
  • Ebonee Davis Ifeobu – VP Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Bridgestone Americas
  • Julie Kratz – Speaker, Trainer and Author – Next Pivot Point
  • Stacie Yee – Partner and Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer, Pillsbury Law.

Creating Safe Spaces for Transgender Employees and Allies

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June 21, 2023
11:00 am – 1:00 pm CT

As we celebrate Pride month, we find ourselves in the midst of unprecedented attacks on the LGBTQ+ community. A period of sustained progress for queer acceptance has been followed by one in which the transgender community in particular is in the crosshairs of a politically motivated movement intended to herm and dehumanize our trans neighbors, coworkers, and loved ones.

How do allies push back on this movement from our positions of privilege in the workplace? How do we redouble our efforts to protect and embrace our transgender coworkers? Join the Tennessee Diversity Consortium, the Tennessee Pride Chamber of Commerce, and our colleagues in the LGBTQ+ business community for this critical discussion.

Prioritizing Mental Health and Wellness in DEI Practitioners

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Wednesday, August 17, 2022
11:30 am – 1:00 pm CT

Are you a diversity committee or BRG leader in your organization? Do you support DEI through your role in HR? Perhaps you are your organization’s overall DEI leader? DEI leadership roles require us to demonstrate enormous empathy for others who may be struggling with the constant barrage of micro-aggressions, outright discrimination, and, unfortunately, violence because of our societal struggles navigating differences. Advocating for change, educating others, and internalizing these issues can begin to take a toll on our own mental health as leaders. So, how do we prioritize our own mental health and wellness? How do we ensure we are in a mentally and emotionally healthy place to truly show up for the difficult work in these challenging times and truly move the needle in our organizations?

Join us for part three of our Summer Inclusion Series, “Prioritizing Mental Health and Wellness in DEI Practitioners.” This will not be a one-directional webinar, so please be prepared to participate fully.

The Intersection of Mental Health, Neurological Diversity, and DEI​

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July 27, 2022
11:00 am – 1:00 pm CT

Part 2 of the Tennessee Diversity Consortium Summer Inclusion Series examines how we integrate mental health initiatives and neurological diversity into our DEI work. In the last five years, there has been a renewed emphasis on mental health and wellness as a driver of healthy, inclusive organizations. Separately, there has also been a greater appreciation and understanding of the role neurological diversity should play in how we think about employees’ strengths and weaknesses. This session will include experts on both employee mental health initiatives and neurological diversity, as well as perspectives from organizations that are implementing initiatives that elevate both of these topics within their workplace.

Join us as we explore the intersection of mental health initiatives, neurological diversity, and DEI. This will not be a one-directional webinar, so please be prepared to participate fully.

How Do We Stop the Hate?

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Wednesday, June 22, 2022
11:30 am – 1:00 pm CT

The challenge of serving as a DEI leader is encouraging different perspectives and creating space for disagreement and difference while helping your organization sustain productive, fair and safe work environments. But, In recent years and months, we have experienced countless examples of how unfettered hate can fester and lead to devastating tragedy. The stakes for DEI leaders have never been greater. So how do we stop the hate? How do we recognize it early before it leads to violence, and what do we do when we see it?

Join us for our first DEI Virtual Forum of 2022, where experts in racial justice, LGBTQ+ equality and women’s advocacy and equity share their front-line perspectives and where you as a DEI leader will have the opportunity to engage in this important conversation in small groups with your peers. This will not be a one-directional webinar so please be prepared to fully participate.

October Virtual DEI Forum: “How Do We Respond to Emerging Issues?”

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October 6, 2021
11:00 am – 1:00 pm CT

Join the Tennessee Diversity Consortium for the second in a regular series of Virtual DEI forums offering TDC members the opportunity to:

  • Network in small cohorts by industry or organization type
  • Identify and share common challenges, obstacles and best practices around DEI
  • Share resources and tools needed to accelerate DEI efforts
  • Map out the near and long term future of DEI across similar organizations or industries

The TDC was formed as an informal network for DEI practitioners to share model practices for diversity, equity, and inclusion. The global pandemic has elevated the challenge of equity across a wide variety of organizations, industries and geographies. There is no better time for diversity practitioners and leaders tasked with driving DEI to build stronger networks and better equip one another to achieve our DEI missions.

What Gen Z Wants & How to Deliver

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Wednesday, August 10, 2021
11:30 am – 1:00 pm CT

Gen Z is the most racially and ethnically diverse generation in US history. Born after 1996, they have similarities and differences with the Millennial generation which preceded them. But now that they are entering our workspaces, what sets them apart from previous generations? What are they looking for from their work community, their colleagues and their leaders. How do you attract them, what are they most passionate about, how do you motivate them, and most importantly, how do you keep them? Join the Tennessee Diversity Consortium for a special look at Gen Z, featuring Mike Ayalon, CEO of Gen Z serving Greek University, and a panel including and moderated by Gen Z students.

The Business of Inclusion: LGTBQ+ Business Resource Groups

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June 22, 2021
11:00 am – 1:00 pm CT

Each June we celebrate Pride Month and the positive impact greater LGBTQ+ inclusion is having on the lives of our co-workers, neighbors, and family members. But what about the business side of LGBTQ+ inclusion? Specifically, how do LGBTQ+ employee resource groups in our workplaces help drive business outcomes? What does it mean to consistently “show up” for the LGBTQ+ community and how does it positively impact the mission and vision of your organization? Join the Tennessee Diversity Consortium as we convene an insightful panel, including Joe Woolley from the Nashville LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce and two of our business partners, Nikki Gibson from Dell and Terry Vo from Comcast, to better navigate the business of LGTBQ+ inclusion.

Navigating Political Polarization in the Workplace

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Wednesday, October 7, 2020
11:30 am – 1:00 pm CT

Our country is in the midst of the most polarizing election cycle in most of our lifetimes. We feel it within our social media feeds, our casual discussions with friends and families, and in our workspaces. How do we navigate internally and externally driven misinformation targeting both sides of the partisan divide? How do we maintain civility in the workplace while encouraging courageous conversations? How do we begin to put it all back together on November 4th? Join the Tennessee Diversity Consortium and our special guest, Samar Ali, acclaimed attorney, speaker, and leader of the Millions of Conversations initiative, as we discuss the challenges of “Navigating Political Polarization in the Workplace.” This virtual session will include a presentation from Samar Ali, as well as a special facilitated Zoom breakout reflective dialogue session for attendees.

Staying Alive
in Crisis​

WATCH RECORDING HERE

June 17, 2020
11:00 am – 1:00 pm CT

Help the Tennessee Diversity Consortium and BMI celebrate Black Music Month, June 17th 11:30 – 1pm by joining us for a special virtual town hall, “Staying Alive in Crisis”. We’ll explore how African-Americans in the Nashville music community have traditionally been able to thrive during crises, the role Black music is playing in the current crisis, and what the fight for equity will look like for the next generation of black artists. “Staying Alive in Crisis” will feature live music and a dynamic group of panelists from the Nashville music community.

This webinar is sponsored by BMI.