Beyond Diversity: Cultivating Spaces Where Black Voices Flourish

Beyond Diversity: Cultivating Spaces Where Black Voices Flourish
SESSION TITLE: Beyond Diversity: Cultivating Spaces Where Black Voices Flourish
INSTRUCTOR CREDENTIALS: Sorbriqué "Sorby" Grant, Master of Science in Teaching; Master of Public Policy and Urban Planning.
SESSION DESCRIPTION: The session will focus on the importance of work culture in promoting mental health and well-being within the Black community and highlight the significance of psychological safety and belonging as critical elements in building inclusive work environments. Attendees will gain an understanding of the unique challenges and barriers faced by Black professionals in the workplace, including microaggressions, biased decision-making, and underrepresentation. Participants will engage in interactive activities, analyzing case studies and brainstorming solutions to address bias and discrimination in the workplace. The session will also address the need to tackle systemic racism in organizational practices and policies, emphasizing the importance of dismantling bias in hiring, promotion, and performance evaluations. Through collaborative discussions, attendees will explore the role of leadership in supporting the success and well-being of Black professionals.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
1. Understand the importance of psychological safety and belonging in creating inclusive work cultures and recognize their impact on the mental health and well-being of Black professionals.
2. Explore strategies to foster psychological safety and address bias and discrimination in the workplace.
3. Identify practical steps and best practices for dismantling bias in organizational practices and policies, including equitable hiring, promotion, and performance evaluation processes.
INSTRUCTOR BIO: When Sorbrique “Sorby” Grant reached her moment of clarity, she had already proven herself to be a professional problem solver. Highly successful at turning around schools with significant challenges and empowering educators, she realized her knowledge and skills would be a powerful aid to emerging leaders who were largely unsupported, including those heading nonprofits or who are women or people of color.
Sorby currently serves as the President at Climb Hire, which prepares working adults for entry-level jobs in tech. She also operates her own practice-Farther Together-focusing on strategic planning, retreats, coaching, and consulting for individuals, nonprofits, and small businesses.
Before Climb Hire, Sorby was the Chief Program Officer for the Center for Resilience. She has served as Head of School for KIPP Public Charter Schools, Principal at Achievement First Public Charter Schools, and Managing Director of Program for Citizen Schools. She began her professional journey with Teach for America, first as an educator, then as a bilingual content curator and Summer Institute Director.
Sorby earned her master’s degree in Public Policy and Urban Planning from Harvard and her master’s in Elementary Education and Teaching from Pace University. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Government and American Studies from Cornell University. She is a Certified Executive & Leadership Coach and a member of the International Coaching Federation.