D&I Virtual Learning Series

The Buffalo Niagara Partnership is committed to providing learning opportunities that will assist organizations in building stronger, more inclusive environments. The D&I Virtual Learning Series (VLS) is designed for employers and individuals who are at a turning point in their journey to create equitable workplaces. It is essential learning for anyone who is focused on building a strong and inclusive workplace.

Featuring locally recognized diversity and inclusion experts, each session in this 2-part series builds upon the basic foundations of D&I and provides strategies you can use in your D&I work.

Act on your corporate commitment to D&I by first creating a foundation of inclusivity with a strong sense of belonging. Then, continue to build a framework for a strong corporate culture by encouraging equity in your talent processes and strategies that will benefit the entire organizational structure.

Our 2-Part Series

Register for one session or both - Click on a session to register and choose your option at check out.

Tues., April 18 | 8:30 to 10:00 am
Is Inclusion Belonging?

Is Inclusion Belonging?

Join us as Kelly Dumas, COO at BestSelf Behavioral Health, explores the relationship between Diversity and Inclusion and Belonging in the workplace. Kelly will examine the various aspects of belonging and how your diversity & inclusion efforts can either enhance or decrease an employee’s sense of belonging.

This session will look at performative vs. transformational measures and share how organizations can go deeper to foster a true sense of belonging. In addition, participants will view the differences between initiatives that are well-intended but not intuitive as well as the practice of being right vs. getting it right.

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Presenter:

Kelly Dumas, Chief Operating Officer, BestSelf Behavioral Health

Kelly D. Dumas is a licensed clinical social worker and has over 20 years of experience working in behavioral health management. Kelly is currently employed with BestSelf Behavioral Health in Buffalo, NY where she is the Chief Operating Officer. In her role as Chief Operating Officer she provides administrative and clinical oversight to all agency programs, including more than 1100 staff with a budget of $90+ million. As founder and chair of the agency’s Racial Equity and Inclusion Committee, Kelly spearheads critical initiatives that continue to make BestSelf a leading employer in Western New York. Kelly earned her Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University at Buffalo and her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology and English from Emory University. Kelly is also the Director of Mental Health Ministry at Zion Dominion Global Ministries where she has been a member for over 20 years. She enjoys singing- particularly praise and worship, reading, and spending time with her husband, Reggie, and two children, Denise and Dennis.

Fri., April 28 | 8:30 to 10:00 am
Equity & Transparency at Work

Equity & Transparency at Work

Join us for a workshop on equity and transparency in the workplace, designed to help organizations create and maintain a culture of transparency and fairness within their talent management processes. Attendees will explore ways to ensure that their recruitment, hiring, and retention processes do not create barriers to equitable opportunity.

Discussions will focus on methods to assess systemic and individual equity and address disparities in talent acquisition, management, and engagement. Participants will learn best practices and strategies for improving equity/talent processes and creating pathways to promote increased involvement and success of historically underrepresented and marginalized groups. Through real-world scenarios and interactive activities, this workshop will provide key insights and actionable strategies to increase diversity and equity in organizational hiring and talent management.

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Presenter:

Kyria Stephens, Director of Inclusion and Community Initiatives, Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus

Marcea Kyria Stephens is the Director of Inclusion and Community Initiatives for the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus (BNMC), an organization focused on the next phase of Buffalo’s ongoing resurgence, cultivating inclusive innovation in partnership with our community. He is an ordained minister, former Family Pastor, worship leader, former touring musician. He is published devotional writer for Stuff You Can Use and opinion pieces have been published on various sites. Kyria has been leading DEAI initiatives at a number of Western New York organizations since 2010 and speaks regularly about this work and his experiences at conferences and symposia. He is also the co-owner of T&K Rentals and Party Supplies, a start-up venture he began in 2020.

Pricing

Individual Session Tickets:
BNP Member: $50 | Non-Members: $125

Series Tickets:
Member: 2 Event Series: $80 | Member Corporate Pass: $399 – Unlimited registrants. Email domain must be one company.
Non-Members: 2 Event Series: $220 | Corporate Pass: $599 – Unlimited registrants. Email domain must be one company.

The Corporate Pass offers exceptional learning opportunities at an incredible value – 1 pass covers ALL of your employees!

SHRM Credits

For SHRM HR professionals, each session is valid for a total of 1.5 PDC for the SHRM-CP® or SHRM-SCP®.

Buffalo Niagara Partnership is recognized by SHRM to offer Professional Development Credits (PDCs) for the SHRM-CP® or SHRM-SCP®. For more information about certification or recertification, please visit www.shrmcertification.org.

Need more information? Contact: Nancy McNamara, Sr. Member Engagement Manager, NMcNamara@thepartnership.org, 716.553.2379 (mobile)

Thank You to Our D&I Executive Council Sponsors

Silver Sponsor:

Supporting Sponsors:

Bond, Schoeneck & King | Evergreen Health Services | Harter Secrest & Emery LLP | National Fuel | Northwest Bank

Interested in information regarding sponsorship opportunities? Let's Connect.