Biases can be a difficult topic to address in the workplace. The New Castle-Henry County Economic Development Corporation is working with Shafer Leadership Academy to present a workshop to help understand and respond to biases, even those that are unknown. The virtual workshop will be offered twice on Tuesday, December 1, 2020. The first session will run from 12-1:30 p.m. and the second from 2-3:30 p.m.
The sessions will be presented by Melinda Messineo, PhD, a professor of Sociology at Ball State University. Messineo is a nationally recognized teacher whose research explores representations of race, class, and gender in media. During the workshop, Messineo will educate participants on unconscious biases, its origins, and tools and strategies for positive outcomes.
“We used to think there were ‘biased people’ and ‘unbiased people’ and that ‘good’ people were not biased,” notes the workshop description. “Over time, cognitive science has helped us understand that we are ALL biased and the difference is not between ‘good’ and ‘bad,” but in how aware we are of our potential biases and how skilled we are at the strategies we can mobilize to reduce the impact of these biases.”
During the 90-minute workshop, Messineo will provide participants with an understanding of unconscious bias and its origins and its connection to micro-aggressions. Participants will leave with tools and proactive everyday strategies for positive outcomes.
This event is sponsored by the New Castle-Henry County Economic Development Corporation and funded in part by the Henry County Community Foundation.
- Registration for the 12:00 – 1:30 session is available here
- Registration for the 2:00 – 3:30 session is available here
Questions can be directed to Penny York by calling 765-520-8090.