Take action was the call of the day at GCP’s 2024 E&I Conference: Catalyze Change: Move from Dialogue to Action.

As Kyle Dreyfuss-Wells, CEO of NEORSD, said in an introductory panel, “Just do the work, stop talking and start doing.”

In addition to the opening Leadership Accountability panel, the event at Landerhaven included workshops and an interactive learning experience from Karamu House.

The keynote was a live podcast – “Driving Change Through Negotiation” - featuring Kwame Christian, Esq, MA., founder of the American Negotiation Institute, and Celina Cunanan, Chief Diversity, Equity and Belonging Officer at University Hospitals, in conversation with Patrice Blakemore, GCP Senior Vice President, Equity and Inclusion (pictured above).

The passion to learn was palpable from attendees

Said Mary Barnwell, Compliance Program Manager for APB & Associates on her way to a morning workshop: “My hope is to learn techniques to reach people where they are. To me, inclusion is most important. Once you are included, a lot of the ‘E’ and ‘D’ of DEI follows.”

 Key Takeaways

1. Greater Cleveland is ready to work for change. The conference brought together 300 DEI and HR professionals ready to take steps for change through hands-on workshops, panel discussions and more.
   • Are you ready to be a changemaker at your organization? Let these best practices guide you: Equity & Inclusion: Best practices in action - Greater Cleveland Partnership
   • Begin by requesting GCP’s annual Equity & Inclusion Assessment - Greater Cleveland Partnership

2. Change starts at the top with accountable leadership. This includes establishing mentorship programs and using data to push for change. “Data is powerful for leaders,” said Carrie Nurse of ERC in the opening panel.  

3. Negotiation is a skill that can be learned. During his keynote, Kwame Christian discussed his three-point process for negotiating with compassion, concluding with “number three: joint problem solving … approaching this conversation not in terms of meaning versus you, but it's you and me versus the problem. Learn more here: Home - American Negotiation Institute

 4. The definition of DEI is expanding. With panels and discussions focused on race, gender, sexual orientation, physical and neuro-ability, attendees explored and learned about the wide-ranging definitions of a diverse workforce/

The conference concluded with networking, a “wine up” reception and attendees discussing what steps to take next.