Habitat for Humanity Mississippi Capital Area (HFHMCA) recently hosted with contributing community sponsors nationally recognized president and CEO of BASIC Diversity, Inc., Al Vivian, to lead his Diversity and Bias Seminar. Staff, board members, and clients of HFHMCA and 31 other nonprofits and businesses attended. This day-long seminar provided attendees with a strategic diversity process. Organizations and individuals learned how to address issues of race, gender, sexual orientation, ageism and socio-economic diversity to avoid potential diversity disasters. “Vivian covered several topics such as societal mind-set on race, identifying racial stereotypes, behavioral patterns of both majority and minority racial groups, and more,” said executive director of HFHMCA, Merrill McKewen. Shown are community sponsors (from left) Robert Leard and Clara Green, Regions Bank; McKewen; Vivian; Portia Ballard Espy, Winter Institute for Racial Reconciliation Executive Director, The Reverend Katie Bradshaw, St. Andrew’s Episcopal Cathedral; Monica Gonzalez and Jessica Frankel, Enterprise Community Partners, Inc.
