Online Diversity Training — With Chocolate!
If you’re like us, you’re considering the big issues in the workplace:
White supremacy culture
Inclusion
Anti-racism
Our online diversity training can help your organization with your commitments to equity, all while engaging employees of all levels of seniority in the process.
So what distinguishes us from other diversity training programs? CHOCOLATE! This may seem out of left field, but the history of chocolate includes systemic injustices that are present even to this day. In our online diversity training workshops, we draw parallels among these problems and the current issues in the workplace.
We are the premiere out-of-the box, sensory, and interactive diversity, equity, and inclusion training program! Whether you’re hoping to build a more solid system-wide foundation in equity and inclusion, equip employees with a shared language to discuss these practices, support and attract diverse talent, work better across international and intercultural lines, and/or reconsider your organization’s relationships with your surrounding communities, we’re excited to work with you!
Virtual Diversity and Inclusion Activities
Part 1: Chocolate Tasting
We begin with a guided chocolate tasting led by Chocolate Noise founder Megan Giller. Participants will use all of their senses to taste some of the best bean-to-bar chocolate in the world, discover how chocolate is made, and learn about the decolonizing work being done to challenge and dismantle the status quo.
Part 2: Diversity Training Program Outline
After the chocolate tasting, seasoned DEI practitioner Sheena Daree Miller takes these issues and relates them directly to your field. We review key DEI concepts and definitions, implementable tips for confronting bias, and suggested practices for continued learning and growth.
We’ll strategize to get support/buy-in and make plans for organizational change. We’ll build on lessons from chocolate for attendees to envision and generatively brainstorm what your company or industry is lacking and what you can do promote change. We’ll offer suggestions for engaging with the communities you serve or are located near, with an emphasis on respect and equity. You’ll leave with ideas for small, concrete next steps to take.
Diversity Training Topics
Racial and ethnic identity
Gender diversity
Religious diversity
Age diversity
Workplace seniority
Sexual orientation diversity
Disability and accessibility diversity
Microaggressions
Workplace sensitivity
Workplace discrimination
How to create an inclusive culture
Diversity Training for Employees
Executive board members
New managers (especially of employees with diverse backgrounds)
New hires
Teams committed to promoting inclusion and belonging
HR professionals
Recruiters
Managers of internship and mentorship programs
Managers responsible for onboarding
Managers of remote teams
Social media and marketing teams
Startups
Organizations in industries with homogenous workforces
Nonprofits and B-Corps
Employee resource groups
DEI committees
Benefits of Diversity Training
Studies from McKinsey indicate that inclusion plays an important role in employee satisfaction, and that employees perform better in environments that have a sense of community and belonging.
Your company will benefit financially from the fresh ideas and innovation garnered by a diverse workforce.
You’ll be a leader in your industry.
You’ll help change the conversation.
And it’s the right thing to do.
Why Diversity Training Is Important
Among U.S. employees…
61% have witnessed discrimination based on age, gender, race, or LGBTQ status in the workplace.
45% have experienced or witnessed ageism in the workplace.
42% have experienced or witnessed gender discrimination in the workplace.
42% have experienced or witnessed racism in the workplace.
33% have experienced or witnessed LGBTQ discrimination in the workplace.
(Source: Glassdoor’s Diversity & Inclusion Study 2019)
AND…
32% would not apply to a job at a company where the workforce lacks diversity.
37% would not apply to a job at a company where there are disparities in employee satisfaction ratings among different ethnic/racial groups.
66% trust employees the most when it comes to understanding what diversity and inclusion really looks like at a company.
(Source: Glassdoor’s Diversity & Inclusion Transparency Report 2020)
DEI Training for Organizations
Large companies can also have difficulty with diversity training. Employees might bemoan predictable, ineffective, video, or self-paced training — and not really engage. That’s where we come in. We know your employees will benefit from an interactive and engaging experience and the opportunity to raise questions in real time.
DEI Training for Startups
When you’re working with just a few people, it may seem like you don’t need a DEI program or training. In fact, only 26 percent of startups are trying to increase this aspect of their business. But having a diverse group is actually to your benefit: Your company will understand international markets better, encourage out-of-the-box thinking, and create a culture your clients and customers trust.
About Us
Sheena Daree Miller is committed to promoting equity and providing low-stake entry points for others to do likewise. She brings years of experience advancing diversity and justice efforts at public and higher education institutions. At The New School, Sheena currently supports faculty in incorporating equity and inclusion into their teaching, thereby creating learning environments where all students feel they belong. She brings an intercultural sensitivity as a result of having lived, worked, and studied across four continents. Her approach is further informed by her experience as a queer, Black, U.S. American woman, writer, and educator.
Megan Giller is the founder of Chocolate Noise, a social enterprise obsessed with bean-to-bar chocolate. She’s an award-winning food writer and the author of Bean-to-Bar Chocolate: America’s Craft Chocolate Revolution. Her writing has been published in Slate, Zagat, and Food & Wine, among other places. Megan’ s blog Chocolate Noise was a 2016 Saveur Food Blog Awards finalist. She also hosts virtual chocolate-tasting events, teaches classes at the Institute of Culinary Education, and judges at chocolate competitions. She’s currently part of the Impact Entrepreneurship Initiative at the New School and is committed to social justice both inside and outside the world of chocolate.
DEI FAQ
What does DEI stand for?
DEI stands for diversity, equity, and inclusion. It’s a term that’s becoming more and more common to describe policies and programs that facilitate participation and engagement among all sorts of people. We think University of Michigan’s Chief Diversity Officer Robert Sellers sums it up best; he compares DEI to attending a dance:
Diversity is where everyone is invited to the party
Equity means that everyone gets to contribute to the playlist
Inclusion means that everyone has the opportunity to dance
By adding chocolate and industry-specific insight and best practices, Chocolate Noise’s DEI workshops of course make the dance all the more resonant, enjoyable, and delicious.
How long do the workshops last?
Our workshops last approximately two hours but can be customized completely!
What chocolate will we taste?
Megan curates three full-size artisan chocolate bars from her favorite bean-to-bar makers across the world. Each guest will receive their chocolate directly in the mail! You’ll also receive Megan’s suggested list of pairings (wine, beer, cheese, and more), and a tasting sheet. Here is a preview of the chocolate portion of the workshop!
What does the whole booking process look like?
After we finalize the details on our call, we’ll send you a contract and collect addresses for your guests (3 weeks in advance). Then we’ll ship your chocolate kits, and track them to make sure they’re delivered in plenty of time. The week of the event, we’ll email the Zoom link so you can share it with your team. The day of your event you can simply log in, open your kits, and let our amazing facilitators guide you through your tasting and training!
How far in advance do I have to plan my event?
We require 3 weeks lead time, to ensure we can get the chocolate kits delivered to each guest in time. In special cases, expedited shipping can be arranged for an additional fee.
Your workshops sound amazing! How do I get started?
Tell us a bit more about what you’re looking for in this form, and we’ll reach out to set up a brief call to plan your event!
