Free online workshop Jan. 17-19 helps Coconino businesses attract and retain LGBTQ+ employees and customers
How can your company be more inclusive? Which words and pronouns should you use? What is it like to come out at work?
FLAGSTAFF (Jan. 9, 2023) — Business owners may feel trepidation about how to create a workplace welcoming of the LGBTQ+ community, but an upcoming online workshop from Arizona business coalition ONE Community offers the tools to understand and succeed in attracting and retaining LGBTQ+ employees and clients.
The three one-hour Zoom sessions are available to companies in Coconino, Yavapai and Pima counties. The Coconino sessions run Jan. 17-19.
Through open discussion, ONE Community will help business leaders understand current LGBTQ+ terminology, build empathy and practice the skills they need to achieve true diversity, equity and inclusion within their organizations.
As communities across Arizona continue their fight for an inclusive, resilient and sustainable rural economy, it’s more important than ever for small businesses to be aware of the changing landscape and understand how to competently integrate the LGBTQ+ community into their hiring, retention, growth and profit strategies.
“Too often the needs of businesses in rural Arizona are overlooked, but these workshops offer exactly the kind of practical knowledge about diversifying your business that our entrepreneurs can use,” Sedona Councilmember Kathy Kinsella said. “I encourage all companies in Yavapai, Coconino and Pima counties to take advantage of these valuable discussions to learn how to create strong, inclusive workplaces and appeal to a wider range of consumers.”
After more than a decade working with hundreds of Arizona business leaders, ONE Community believes organizations only benefit from embracing diversity and inclusiveness to retain and recruit top talent and stay competitive. Participants who complete the three workshop sessions will earn ONE Community Institute’s LGBTQ+ Inclusivity Certification as proof of their commitment.
“We’ve helped hundreds of rural Arizonans grow their businesses, and one strategy we always recommend is paying attention to diversity in their community,” said Rand Jenkins, CEO of Flagstaff marketing agency Mountain Mojo Group. “Workshops like these add to our team’s ongoing education and fulfill our commitment to being an ally to the LGBTQ+ community, an advocate for diversity in the workplace and a firm believer in building stronger connections with others."
The free workshops are a part of Local First Arizona’s AZNavigator, a statewide small business and entrepreneurship assistance center. The 10 organizations that comprise AZNavigator provide no-cost assistance to Arizona startups and local business owners to stabilize, reinvent or scale their companies.
WORKSHOP DETAILS
SESSION ONE: LGBTQ+ 101 & 201
Take a deep dive into the terminology needed to understand the distinction between sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and the LGBTQ+ community as a whole. Learning how to understand and speak the language while creating a safe space for questions gives your team the confidence it needs to create the affirming workplace you desire.
SESSION TWO: THE UNITY JOURNEY
Embark on an empathy-building exercise that takes you through the experience of coming out as LGBTQ+. Discussion and sharing throughout the exercise allows your team the time to process and bond together, as they prepare to take the next steps in their journey.
SESSION THREE: STATE of LGBTQ+
This presentation offers an interactive in-depth assessment of the current state of affairs for LGBTQ+ people in Arizona and across the nation. Featuring existing policies, issue analysis, economic data, and action items, the presentation serves as a road map detailing where we are, where we need to go and how to get there to become a state and a nation that celebrates, respects and protects us all equally.
COCONINO COUNTY: Jan. 17, 18 and 19 from 9-10 a.m.
PIMA COUNTY: Feb. 14, 15 and 16 from 10-11 a.m.
YAVAPAI COUNTY: March 8, 9 and 10 from 10-11 a.m.
About ONE Community
ONE Community is the statewide coalition of socially responsible businesses, organizations and individuals moving diversity, inclusion, equity and equality for all Arizonans forward. We are committed to reshaping Arizona’s image through educating, empowering and connecting our diverse LGBTQ+ and allied communities on the benefits of celebrating, respecting, and protecting all Arizonans. Join our member-based coalition of businesses and organizations who support and promote diversity, inclusion, equity and equality at www.ONECommunity.com.
About Local First Arizona
Founded in 2003, Local First Arizona (LFA) is a community and economic development organization working to strengthen local economies. LFA’s areas of focus include developing entrepreneurship, rural and urban community development, racial equity, environmental action, and food access. LFA is the largest local business coalition in the U.S. and advocates for independently-owned businesses of all sizes by assisting local owners with technical assistance designed to help them compete and collaborate, which ultimately strengthens Arizona's economy and builds hometown pride. Visit localfirstaz.com for more information and a directory of more than 3,000 locally-owned businesses.
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