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While we don’t currently have plans to offer EQUITYxDESIGN in 2024, it may be offered again in the future. Sign up for our newsletter to stay up to date and learn more about our other programs and events!
EQUITYxDESIGN RI Cohort | 2023
After an inspiring first year in 2022, we are excited to offer the EQUITYxDESIGN program for a second year!
EQUITYxDESIGN is a four-month program created to lead designers, design businesses, and those who participate in the design economy to understand and build Diversity Equity, Inclusion, and Access (DEIA) processes in their work. By mobilizing an action learning series, E2 EmpowerED and (Pr(ism), will equip current and upcoming industry leaders to practice design with consideration of equity in design. This hybrid program(virtual and in person) starts in May and runs through August offering participating businesses the opportunity to define equity initiatives rooted in their practice. During this time, the cohort will showcase tangible processes that can be developed and implemented.
Thanks to grants from Real Jobs RI and RI Energy, there are sliding scale options to participate in this program(see below). For those participating in this program, we ask that you make an intentional investment into the advancement of DEIA within your sphere of influence. This could look like a shift of internal processes, the start of a new initiative, the recrafting of a new hiring and recruiting practice, or another type of investment you find tangibly impactful. These investments will be discussed throughout the multi-month program and presented at an in-person event.
*No one will be turned away for a lack of funds! Join us in whatever financial capacity you can.
Benefits+
- Participants will gain tools to understand and increase Diversity Equity and Inclusion within their field through a workshop series. These workshops will respond to the cohort’s needs and cater to where the cohort is within its own equity work journey.
- Learning will be done in a cohort of Rhode Island based peers. This will encourage group knowledge building, sharing in best practices, and collaboration around DEI efforts state wide.
- As stakeholders in the future of design, this program is an opportunity to give you and others tools to improve equity in the field.
- At the end of the program and upon successful completion, cohort members will receive a Certificate of Completion.
- This program’s fee is on a subsidized sliding scale for participants thanks to a grants from Real Jobs RI and Rhode Island Energy.
Who Can Apply?+
You would be a great fit for this program if you have an interest in growing equity in the design economy and are one of the following:
- An established designer in RI
- In a leadership position at a design business or firm
- Are empowered by your design business or firm to represent them during this program
- Lead a design team for a larger business or corporation
- Represent a design team for a larger business or corporation with support from leadership
- A professional who regularly works with or hires designers or design firms
Program Details+
All engagements are virtual meetings aside from the May 22nd Equitable Research Training. The in-person 2-hour session on May 22nd will be based on the themes of exploring, examining and dissecting the historical context of research, design ideation and the implementation of equitable practices through the lens of methodology.
EQUITYxDESIGN RI will consist of eleven points of engagement from May-August 2023.
Points of engagement:
- 5 specialized workshops designed and facilitated by E2 EmpowerED rooted in their Equity-Centered Framework
- 5 Cohort Exclusive Meetings facilitated by Pr(ism)
- 1 in Person Research + Equitable Strategic Planning Session designed by Pr(ism) and cofacilitated by E2 EmpowerED
- A final presentation of the work and projects proposed.
- Learning will be done in a cohort of Rhode Island based peers. This will encourage group knowledge building, sharing in best practices, and collaboration around DEI efforts state wide.
- As stakeholders in the future of design, this program is an opportunity to give you and others tools to improve equity in the field.
- At the end of the program and upon successful completion, cohort members will receive a Certificate of Completion.
Schedule+
Meetings will be hosted virtually on Monday mornings(except when noted).
| MAY 8 | 9AM-11AM | VIRTUAL | Power: Color-blind to Color Brave: DEIA and Advancing Antiracism |
| MAY 15 | 9AM-10:30AM | VIRTUAL | Session 1 Debrief |
| MAY 22 | 9AM-11AM | IN PERSON | Touch Point “Equitable Research” |
| MAY 29 | No Session – Official Holiday | ||
| JUN 5 | 9AM-11AM | VIRTUAL | Perspectives: Mirrors + Windows |
| JUN 12 | 9AM-10:30AM | VIRTUAL | Session 2 Debrief |
| JUN 19 – JUL 3 |
No Session — BREAK | ||
| JUL 10 | 9AM – 11AM | VIRTUAL | People + Policies: Enabling Conditions for Equitable Human – Centered Design |
| JUL 17 | 9AM-10:30AM | VIRTUAL | Session 3 Debrief |
| JUL 24 | 9AM-11AM | VIRTUAL | Priorities + Planning |
| JUL 31 | 9AM-10:30AM | VIRTUAL | Session 4 Debrief |
| AUG 7 | 9AM-11AM | VIRTUAL | Consultancy |
| AUG 14 | 9AM-10:30AM | VIRTUAL | Session 5 Debrief |
| AUG 21 | TBD | IN PERSON | FINAL EVENT! |
Applications closed April 28th 2023
PROGRAM FACILITATORS
E2 EmpowerED is an international equity training firm, founded by RI raised, Mariama Kurbally. E2EmpowerED, is forged from a call to courage by experienced professionals looking for a shift from mission and value alignment to antiracism, equity-centric, accessible, and inclusive practices that shifts toward cultivating sustainable individual, team, and organizational infrastructures that center historically oppressed communities.
E2 EmpowerED specializes in the systematic redesign, coaching, and leadership training for clients through job-embedded support at all levels of organizational cultures in education, design, human services, and corporate sectors. Our work aims to empower providers who work in service of historically marginalized and underinvested communities through evidence-based equity-centric models that center on the experiences of racially, culturally, and linguistically diverse communities. They run coaching and training for design firms, educators, organizations, and corporations globally. Learn more about E2 EmpowerED Equity x Excellence | E2EmpowerED.
Lead by Founder & Consultant, Rachael Gavin, Pr(ism) Resistance Coalition comes to this work specializing in redesigning systems, structures and policies from a diverse, equity-centered lens. Since inception, Pr(ism) Resistance Coalition has provided services to over 500 unique clients, nationally and internationally, by identifying and addressing -isms within companies, organizations and institutions.
SPONSORS
Real Jobs Rhode Island
Rhode Island Energy