There is an African proverb, “To go fast, you must go alone. To go far, we must go together.” This describes what community and connection means to me on a very intimate level.  Yet, the question that still begs to be answered is how do we find a way to connect with each other as allies when we live in such separate and divided communities?  How do we acknowledge and let go of the assumptions and stereotypes that we’ve accumulated about those who live outside our familiar communities and who are ethnically and culturally different from ourselves?  How do we break the cycle of fear and distrust, so that we can come together authentically in friendship and connection?

These are but a few of the important issues that are needed to be talked about before we can truly come together not only on campus but also as a nation, a community and in our personal relationships.

We cannot keep talking about each other without giving voice and hearing those we have been taught to be afraid of or to avoid. There is no shortcut in the journey to create community and connection with those who we do not know or understand. We each must take the time to walk each other home so that we can become better allies with one another.

In this workshop, participants will learn the following:

• 21 Ways to Stop a Diversity Conversation
• How to Resolve Conflicts About Social Justice Issues
• What is an Effective & Ineffective Ally
• Ways to Respond to Diversity Issues from a Culturally Responsive and Cross-Cultural Lens
• Creating a Community Environment Where Minority Groups Feel Safe, Understood and Validated
• 21 Ways to Begin a Diversity Conversation on Social Issues and Concerns
• Advanced Mindful Facilitation Ally Interventions
• 9 Healthy Ways to Communicate About Social Justice Issues
• How to De-escalate Diversity Conflicts with Minutes
• The Art of Mindful Facilitation
• Advanced Empathetic Ally Responses