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

Goals and Strategies in Diversity & Inclusion

The Partnership November 9, 2018

It was the last meeting of the year for the Partnership’s Diversity & Inclusion Council, but this was no wrap-up session. Instead, the focus was on what’s next for the Council in 2019. A lively group participation exercise lead by Marc Burt – Team Leader at Inspired Global Resources and

Mary Owusu BNP Athena Award Recipient

Diversity and Inclusion in STEM: How to Move Forward

The Partnership July 23, 2018

Each year, the ATHENA Young Professional Leadership Award is given to an emerging leader who demonstrates excellence in their career and devotion to improving the community through serving as role models for other young women. This year’s recipient is Mary Owusu, vice president (partner), director of digital strategy and analytics

Harmac’s Bailey Green Initiative Boosts Buffalo’s East Side

The Partnership June 12, 2018

Harmac Medical Products, a contract manufacturer of single-use medical devices, employs over 400 people in a neighborhood on Buffalo’s east side. Harmac is a member of the Buffalo Niagara Partnership, and CEO John Somers sits on our board of directors. Recently, John spoke at our Maximizing the Value of Diversity & Inclusion event about the importance of community in attracting and