Booksellers Praise “Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion” Workshop
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Registration is underway for the American Booksellers Association’s fall workshop, “Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: Addressing Stereotypes and Creating a Welcoming Environment,” which will be presented from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 11, at the Renaissance Denver Stapleton Hotel in Denver, just ahead of the Mountains and Plains Independent Booksellers Association trade show.
Ilsa Govan, M.A., of Cultures Connecting, who delivered an inspiring keynote presentation at Children’s Institute earlier this year, presented the “Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion” workshop last week to booksellers in the Southern Independent Booksellers Alliance region.
Feedback from the session included a number of comments calling the workshop valuable, informative, and powerful.
Broche Fabian of Quail Ridge Books in Raleigh, North Carolina, said the workshop gave participating booksellers “a very thorough, gentle, and timely exploration of diversity by unpacking racial stereotypes and biases.” The workshop, she added, “provided helpful discussion for people of all experiences and comfort levels.”
The October 11 workshop will illustrate how implicit racial stereotypes can influence attitudes, behaviors, and beliefs about others and create barriers to genuine relationships. The workshop also aims to help booksellers understand the factors that create a sense of welcoming in an independent bookstore.
Through the workshop, participants will:
- Develop a shared language of cultural competence to serve as a roadmap for creating diverse, equitable, and inclusive bookstores.
- Learn and practice tools for engaging in courageous conversations about difficult issues with employees and customers.
- Increase their awareness and knowledge of the impact of stereotypes on our everyday thoughts and actions.
- Learn strategies for countering implicit bias and stereotype threat in the workplace.
- Reflect on practical applications of new skills at a personal and organizational level.
Registration is $75 per person. Fall show registration is not required to attend the workshop, and the workshop is open to all ABA members, regardless of regional association membership.
Register for the “Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: Addressing Stereotypes and Creating a Welcoming Environment” workshop now.