Webinar to examine social identity, power dynamics, and strategies for safer spaces

University of Phoenix will hold the next installment of its Educational Equity Webinar Series, “How to Create Brave & Safer Spaces in an Anxious World,” on August 15, 2024, at 12:00pm MDT. The event is part of a public series intended for educators, diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) practitioners, higher education leaders and administrators, employers, nonprofit organizations, government affiliates, and University of Phoenix faculty, staff, students, and alumni across the globe.

"Creating truly safe spaces begins with recognizing and addressing our inherent biases," shares Tondra Richardson, MBA, director of Student Diversity & Inclusion at University of Phoenix and co-host of the series. "By understanding how we navigate our differences, we can develop strategies to foster environments where everyone feels secure and valued. We're excited to facilitate this crucial conversation and elevate awareness on such an important issue."

Featuring Mohammed Soriano-Bilal, the event will explore how individuals gravitate towards familiar, comfortable spaces that often lack diversity and ideological challenges. The discussion will cover actionable strategies for creating structured environments where diverse social identities can engage with power, privilege, and belief systems. Participants will also learn to examine their own social identities and design braver, safer spaces within their communities.

Soriano-Bilal is a leading DEIB specialist, educator, and strategist. As Director of IDEAL Advancement at Stanford University, he spearheads efforts in institutional change, inclusive talent acquisition, and equity-centered communities. With over 20 years of experience, he has guided Fortune 500 companies in overcoming barriers to growth through DEI strategies.

The discussion will be hosted by Tondra Richardson, MBA, director of Student Diversity & Inclusion and Saray Lopez, MBA, director, Student Diversity & Inclusion, both with the Office of Educational Equity (OEE) at University of Phoenix. The Educational Equity Webinar Series is part of a series of events with which the OEE engages aiming to foster cultural awareness, thought leadership and community alliances to promote and sustain educational equity and diversity initiatives. The OEE supports students and faculty year-round with programs like the Inclusive Leadership Summit and an internal offering for staff and faculty, The Inclusive Café.

Register for the webinar here.

Previous webinars can be accessed here.

About University of Phoenix

University of Phoenix innovates to help working adults enhance their careers and develop skills in a rapidly changing world. Flexible schedules, relevant courses, interactive learning, skills-mapped curriculum for our bachelor’s and master’s degree programs and a Career Services for Life® commitment help students more effectively pursue career and personal aspirations while balancing their busy lives. For more information, visit phoenix.edu.

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