In this webinar, LaCheka Phillips, Director of Equity, Inclusion, Diversity & Culture (EIDC) at TechSoup offers executive directors and their teams strategies needed to embrace and celebrate diversity within their nonprofits. Participants shared experiences how their nonprofit fosters an inclusive environment that appreciates and leverages cultural differences for a stronger, more connected team.

1. Executive Directors Chat:
Embracing Diversity and Cultural
Differences
LaCheka Phillips
Director of Equity, Inclusion, Diversity & Culture (EIDC)
May 1, 2024

3. Our Discussion Today
• Understanding Diversity and Cultural Differences
• The Case for Belonging
• Practical Tips for Embracing Diversity
• Questions & Answers

4. 4 Copyright © TechSoup Global. All Rights
Reserved.
Disclaimer:
Please note that while we share our journey and insights into
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) with enthusiasm, neither
the presenters nor TechSoup are certified experts in DEI, nor
do we provide legal or HR advice. This webinar is intended for
educational and inspirational purposes only, aiming to spark
action and dialogue around equity initiatives. We encourage
seeking professional guidance when implementing DEI
strategies in your organization.

5. 5 © TechSoup Global. All Rights Reserved.
Understanding Diversity and Cultural Differences
• Belonging
•A psychological and emotional feeling of
being an accepted member of a group.
•Download the Belonging eBook
• Cultural Competence
•The ability to understand one’s own
cultural identity, recognizing biases,
gaining knowledge of other cultural
practices and worldviews, and
developing cross-cultural skills.
•Read the blog post, “Cultural
Competence: More than Just Diversity &
Inclusion.”
• Dimensions of Diversity
•The ways in which people differ,
including ethnicity, gender and age. It
also includes social class, ability,
religion, income, marital or parental
status, geographic location, national
origin, political beliefs, and much more.
•See the Dimensions of Diversity Wheel

6. The Case for Belonging
•Business Case
○ Inclusive workplaces see higher engagement,
creativity, and retention rates. Direct correlation to
increased increased innovation, better
decision-making, and competitive advantage.
•Human Case
○ Exclusion is processed in the brain like physical
pain, affecting well-being and cognitive functions.
Direct correlation to decreased productivity,
innovation, and collaboration due to impaired
mental state.
Watch Microsoft’s “The case for diversity and
inclusion” webinar.”

7. How can we balance the need for inclusive
language with the need to acknowledge and
address distinct cultural identities and histories?

8. 8 © TechSoup Global. All Rights Reserved.
Practical Ideas for Embracing
Diversity and Cultural Differences
• Organizational Structure
○ Recruitment and hiring practices
○ Employee-led groups and initiatives
○ Learning and development
• Organizational Culture
○ Diversity days
■ Webinar: Leveraging Global Diversity
Awareness Month for Inclusion
○ Inclusive language
○ Equitable meetings

9. What’s the most important lesson you’ve
learned from implementing ideas to
champion diversity within your
organization?

10. What other questions, thoughts or
ideas do you have?
Use chat or simply raise your digital hand.
Q&A

11. 11 © TechSoup Global. All Rights Reserved.
Plan
Outline one idea for an
upcoming Diversity day
or Holiday.
Register
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webinar series
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Thank you! Next Steps:
EIDC@techsoup.org