Inclusive Workplaces Cohort: Achieving Equity Together
Thank you for your interest in the Inclusive Workplaces Cohort! The application period for the upcoming Cohort closed on Janaury 6, 2023. If you have questions about participating in the Inclusive Workplaces Cohort or the application process, please contact Becky Milbrandt at Rebecca.Milbrandt@ramseycounty.us.
What:
The Center for Economic Inclusion (The Center) and the Workforce Innovation Board of Ramsey County (WIB) are partnering to provide Ramsey County businesses with an Executive Leadership Cohort learning experience. This initiative, in alignment with Ramsey County’s Economic Competitiveness and Inclusion Plan, will support employers in becoming more inclusive workplaces to ensure we are amplifying the diversity of our community as a tool for economic growth. Businesses in Ramsey County will have the opportunity to participate in a peer learning community while advancing equity and inclusion in their organizations.
The Center will lead the experience by creating a learning environment that fosters discussion and sharing of ideas, while encouraging accountability through safe and brave spaces for confidentiality. The Center will provide skilled facilitation to guide the participants’ learning journeys using a comprehensive racial equity lens and the levers of systems change.
This program is sponsored by the WIB and led by the WIB’s Equity Committee with assistance from the Partnership and Outreach Committee.
There is no cost to participating businesses.
Who:
Eligible employers must:
- have a presence in Ramsey County.
- designate two participants who have decision making power or can facilitate organizational change.
- commit to attending all nine sessions at The Center for Economic Inclusion (June and August sessions will be virtual).
- complete a final project (Racial Equity Accountability and Action Plan) to demonstrate impact and change within the organization.
- agree to have their participation in the cohort shared out by Ramsey County and the WIB.
Up to 15 businesses will be selected to participate and influence the advancement of racial equity, diversity and inclusion throughout their organization. Preference will be given to businesses with 10-250 employees (including all locations).
Why:
The goal of the cohort is to accelerate employers’ ability to advance racial equity, diversityand inclusion within their organizations and to support businesses that aim to leverage and sustain a more inclusive and sustainable workforce that supports better bottom-line results.
When:
A welcome orientation for cohort participants will be held on February 9, 2023. The cohort will then meet monthly for 90 minutes over the course of nine months beginning in March through December 2023 at The Center's office in Saint Paul - 370 Wabasha Street, except as noted in the full schedule below.
The application period is now CLOSED. Organizations selected to participate in the Cohort will be notified in mid-January 2023.
Want to learn more about this cohort opportunity? Check out the presentation shared during the December 6 information session.
| Cohort Session Dates | Session Title |
|---|---|
| Thursday, February 9, 3:30-4:30 p.m. - Virtual | Cohort Welcome and Orientation |
| Thursday, March 9, 3:30-5 p.m. | Economic Imperative of Racial Equity and Inclusion |
| Thursday, April 13, 3:30-5 p.m. | Exclusion in the U.S.: Past and Present |
| Thursday, May 11, 3:30-5 p.m. | Racial Equity Approach |
| Thursday, June 8, 3:30-5 p.m. - Virtual | Racial Equity Dividends Index |
| Thursday, August 10, 3:30-5 p.m. - Virtual | Leadership & Organizational Action and Result |
| Thursday, September 14, 3:30-5 p.m. | Hiring & Promising Practices |
| Thursday, October 12, 3:30-5 p.m. | Retention and Advancement & Strategy Development |
| Thursday, November 9, 3:30-5 p.m. | Culture & Accountability and Action |
| Thursday, December 7, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. | Cohort Recognition Event with the Ramsey County WIB |
