Diversity, Equity & Inclusion in the Workplace

A diverse, equitable, and inclusive workforce provides a competitive advantage in the workplace — but getting there takes conscious effort and commitment. Engage employees at all levels, of all backgrounds, with Impact Interactive's innovative programs, designed to examine the benefits and challenges of living and working in a diverse world. To help your organization create a workplace environment where everyone feels valued, respected and can do their best work, choose one of our existing programs below or Contact us today to talk about developing a customized program that reflects your organization’s unique culture and needs. 

Aggressions, Assumptions and Allyship: Understanding the Impact of Microaggressions on Black Women in the Workplace

*This program can be facilitated LIVE or VIRTUALLY

In this innovative workshop, Impact Interactive performance educators present a realistic scene in which a Black female employee experiences a multitude of microaggressions in a meeting with a White colleague and supervisor. When tensions heighten, the scene freezes and our experienced facilitators invite participants to interact with the characters in order to learn more about their thoughts, feelings and motivations.  Together, participants will:

• Become more aware of microaggressions, assumptions, behaviors and attitudes that negatively impact Black women in the workplace.

• Understand the importance of allyship.

• Discuss strategies for creating a more inclusive, equitable and productive work environment for everyone. 

Uncomfortable Conversations: Confronting Racism and Bias in the Workplace

Many of us enter conversations about racism and bias with the best of intentions, but even the most skilled communicators can struggle to meaningfully engage colleagues when it comes to these complex and emotional topics.

In this innovative workshop, Impact Interactive performance educators present “Quality and Comfort,” a realistic scene which illuminates the challenges of speaking up for racial justice at work (see description below). When tensions heighten, the scene freezes and our experienced facilitators invite participants to interact with the characters to learn more about their thoughts, feelings and motivations. Together, we:

• Identify and discuss subtle and not-so-subtle expressions of racism and bias in the workplace

• Acknowledge common challenges to constructive conversations about race in the workplace

• Explore strategies for more constructive conversations about race in the workplace

• Reflect and brainstorm - what is your responsibility around issues of racial justice at work and what can you do to effect positive change in your organization?

“Quality and Comfort”
Joanne is excited to discuss strategies for diversifying her all White department at the organization where she works.  But when Roger, her manager, announces that he’s already begun setting up interviews with “a few good guys he knows,” she quickly realizes that the diversity goals presented at the company’s annual meeting were just lip service.  Joanne’s attempts to engage Roger and her colleague, Craig, in meaningful conversation about equity and diversity at work are repeatedly undermined by the implicit and explicit bias expressed in their comments and attitudes.  When the conversation escalates, Roger abruptly ends the meeting, and Joanne is left feeling ineffective, disheartened, and alone. 

Microaggressions in the Executive Meetings

In this interactive, virtual, workshop (developed in collaboration with the New York City Police Department) Impact Interactive performance educators present a realistic scene in which a diverse group of executive officers discuss a new promotions policy during a virtual work meeting.  As the conversation progresses and the power dynamics become clearer, a variety of assumptions and microaggressions are expressed, and the meeting ends abruptly leaving some employees feeling angry, frustrated, devalued, and disrespected.  When the scene freezes, our experienced facilitator invites participants to interact with, or “hot-seat”  the characters to learn more about their thoughts, feelings and motivations. Through large and small group discussion, participants will:

• Identify microaggressions, assumptions, behaviors and attitudes that negatively impact others.  

• Reflect on their own attitudes, values, biases and assumptions, and consider how their behaviors affect others. 

• Share and consider multiple points of view in order to improve communication and build empathy.  

• Discuss strategies for creating a more inclusive, equitable and productive work environment.