Wheaton College’s Network for LBGTQ+ Inclusion, Support and Advocacy will host its first ever educational conference: All are Welcome: Collaborative Approaches to Building Inclusive Communities. The event will take place on Saturday, April 20, 2024 at 10:00 a.m.

A number of community organizations will join Wheaton students, staff and faculty to engage in dialogue around diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging (DEIB). Renowned social justice educator and playwright Tobias K. Davis will give the keynote address.

Agenda

9:30 – 10:00 a.m.  |  Check-In and Light Refreshments
Mary Lyon Hall – Holman Room

10:00 – 11:00 a.m.  |  Large Group Opening and Keynote
Mary Lyon Hall – Holman Room

11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.  |  Session #1
Participants may choose one from the list of workshops to attend.

12:00 – 1:00 p.m  |  Session #2
Participants may choose one from the list of workshops to attend.

1:00 – 2:00 p.m.  |  Lunch (provided)
Emerson Faculty Dining (lounge area)

2:00 – 3:00 p.m.  |  Large Group Debrief and Closing
Mary Lyon Hall – Holman Room

Workshop options

Empowering Inclusive Collaborations and Initiatives
Explore best practices around collaboratively working on inclusion-oriented projects from start to finish. This includes how to identify needs of the intended audience, build intersectional content, and evaluate the success of shared initiatives.
Facilitated by Mike Pratt and Hartley Torrison ‘26.
Mary Lyon Hall – Holman Room

Affirming Identity in the Workplace
How do DEIB themes and best practices factor into everyday life in theworkplace? Participants will better understand how to appropriately affirm colleagues within professional spaces and productively challenge systems of power therein.
Facilitated by Lyndsey Aguilar and Henley Ballou.
Mary Lyon Hall – Woolley Room

Auditing Existing Systems for Inclusion Gaps
How well do our organizations’ day-to-day operations reflect our ideals for inclusion? Participants will be invited to consider the “small stuff” from client intake forms and communications with students and their families, to employee orientation, training materials and more. Where can small changes in language or policy have a big impact on the welcome message you convey? When you don’t have the power to make changes—for example, if there is outdated language on a state-mandated form—what other options can you explore? This will be a participatory workshop. Participants are welcome and encouraged to bring examples from their organization to discuss.
Facilitated by Prof. Kate Mason and Prof. J Sterphone.
Mary Lyon Hall – May Room

Action Planning Through Everyday Scenarios
Looking to jump right into action? In this session, participants will apply theory to real-world scenarios and learn how to address and minimize harm within professional and academic spaces.
Facilitated by Val Leon Quintero and Mairi Travis ’26.
Emerson Faculty Dining

Register today!

Questions or accessibility concerns can be directed to [email protected].

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