Diversity & Inclusion Academy

The Diversity & Inclusion Academy makes it simple to make progress on your D&I journey.

This program takes you from an organization with good intentions to one with a running D&I initiative – This opportunity is truly like no other in the region.

About the Program

Virtual sessions include 4, 2-hour classes
Facilitated by Sesha Yalamanchili, On the Mark Consulting
Only program like this offered to businesses in the region
Cost effective:
- Only $599 per seat* – Member Pricing
- Non-Member Pricing $1,198/seat
  - Note: this does not include the $167 for Racial Equity Impact Analysis Training (REIAT) that is required if registrant has not already taken the training
  - REIAT Training is a requirement of all Academy applicants. Training dates will take place before and after the Academy. Either time frame is acceptable. Dates will be made available to you. REIAT Training hours do not count towards SHRM Credits.
- Interested in membership? Learn more HERE. Or contact Liz Benkovich: Lbenkovich@thepartnership.org 716.868.6866
SHRM Credits: The four D&I Academy classes are valid for PDCs for the SHRM-CP® or SHRM-SCP®

Understanding there is not one magic solution, we show you how to navigate the challenging diversity and inclusion landscape to arrive at a multi-tiered strategy to move your organization forward. This 4-part program provides a distinct Academy to guide leaders like you through a systematic and thorough examination of your organization across these four key areas of diversity and inclusion:

Get clear on your organization’s case for diversity and inclusion and use it to unify everyone around a common purpose.

Identify your biggest opportunities to create a fully diverse workforce by improving your processes and practices for hiring, retaining, developing, and advancing talent.

Find ways to create organization wide awareness of unconscious biases and develop plans to actively mitigate their harmful effects.

Determine how your organization’s unique cultural norms and ingrained work habits need to change for better inclusion.

Benefits of Attending

Each part of the D&I Academy is designed to empower you to focus on where you are today with diversity and inclusion and to identify the biggest areas for improvements that need to be made for lasting effect.

We work in a confidential setting with peer support to help you:

Dig deeper to accurately diagnose and eliminate sources of institutional bias
Create accountability and measure and use data to set clear goals for making an impact
Establish company-wide objectives to maximize participation and generate support and buy-in throughout the entire organization
Examine the cultural practices and norms that need to change to foster better inclusion
Look closely at your role as a leader in creating diversity and inclusion – and pinpoint opportunities for greater impact and change

Each D&I Academy registrant will also receive one of D&I expert, Mary-Frances Winters, books:

SEE WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING
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For Current Academy Participants:

From The Blog

What More Can We Do to Advance Racial Equity in Buffalo Niagara?

Dottie Gallagher June 3, 2020

Since March, my thoughts and actions have revolved almost entirely around the impact of COVID-19 on our region, our employers and citizens. And while the state of our new reality has felt overwhelming at times, the Buffalo Niagara Partnership has stepped up to assist in a meaningful way. Our goal

Strengthening Diversity and Inclusion Efforts

The Partnership December 11, 2019

If you are a member of the Buffalo Niagara Partnership, you get it. Providing a diverse and inclusive workplace continues to grow in importance for every type of employer. Managers increasingly realize that diversity and inclusion are essential in recruiting employees as well as retaining them once they are hired.