Project Report - OpenSesame
Ciarra Jones Consulting, LLC, a leading consulting firm specializing in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), conducted a series of workshops for OpenSesame, a prominent tech organization committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. The workshops aimed to enhance OpenSesame's understanding and practice of DEI principles. These workshops were conducted in the Spring and Summer of 2023.
Engagement One Details: Building a Culture of Collective Care
Objective: This workshop focuses on promoting allyship, solidarity, and collective care within the workplace.
Target Audience: OpenSesame's Employee Resource Group (ERG). About 30 attendees came to the workshop.
Content Highlights: Addressed the importance of allyship, fostering a sense of solidarity, and creating a culture of collective care to support diverse perspectives and experiences.
Feedback: OpenSesame’s ERG leaders rated this engagement a 5/5 on the internal feedback form and based upon positive feedback from employees, invited Ciara Jones Consulting, LLC to return for additional workshops.
Engagement Two and Three Details: Fostering an Inclusive Work Culture:
Objective: This workshop, facilitated twice, centered around the concept of professionalism as a social construct.
First iteration: DEI Power Hour participants. OpenSesame’s DEI Power Hour invites employees to attend a variety of workshops on various DEI topics. About 70 participants attended live.
Second iteration: Entire Organization. About 125 participants attended live.
Content Highlights: Explored the social construct of professionalism and its impact on inclusivity. Provided practical strategies for fostering a work culture that values diversity.
Feedback: OpenSesame’s organizers rated this engagement a 5/5 on the internal feedback form and shared that employees felt seen, heard and valued by the presentation.
Implementation Approach:
Customization: Each workshop was tailored to meet the specific needs of the target audience, ensuring relevance and engagement.
Interactive Methods: Utilized a variety of interactive methods, including case studies, group discussions, and role-playing, to enhance participant understanding and application of DEI principles.
Feedback Mechanism: Incorporated feedback surveys and follow-up sessions with the organizers to gather insights and refine subsequent workshops for continuous improvement.
Outcomes:
Increased Awareness: Participants gained a deeper understanding of allyship, solidarity, and collective care, contributing to a more supportive and inclusive workplace.
Practical Strategies: Attendees of the inclusive work culture workshops acquired practical strategies to challenge traditional notions of professionalism, fostering a more inclusive work environment.
Increased Sense of Belonging: Employees highlighted that this workshop made them feel seen, heard, and valued.
Positive Feedback: Evaluation forms and feedback sessions indicated a high level of satisfaction among participants, emphasizing the relevance and impact of the workshops.
Conclusion:
Ciarra Jones Consulting, LLC successfully delivered three DEI workshops to OpenSesame, contributing to the organization's commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. The tailored content, interactive methods, and positive outcomes demonstrate the effectiveness of the collaboration in advancing OpenSesame's DEI goals.
