Services

 

Training and Facilitation

 
IMG_6277.jpg

Workshops and Training based in Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging

If your organization/school/business is committed to creating environments of belonging to understand and tackle systems of ‘isms, to delve into DEI work that is meaningful and impactful, and to begin the process of cultural shifts that lead to cultural responsiveness, inclusion and belonging than you have come to the right place. Our work lies at the intersection of culture, art and justice. We are passionate about belonging and working with groups who are committed to taking the journey.

Working with your organization we will develop a series of workshops/trainings to understand, acknowledge, engage, and unpack difficult topics in order to re-create new models for belonging. Our method is to focus on the reflective practice of DEI work, to understand how it shows up in ourselves and our communities/organizations. This understanding will inform the external process of implementing changes within your organization to create a meaningful culture of inclusion and belonging with awareness and responsiveness. 

Our workshops lay the foundation and build capacity for participants to engage in difficult topics in a supportive environment. While we will present terminology, gain common language, explore systems, policies and ‘isms we also create a visceral experience that invites participants to examine their own experiences, learnings and roles within these systems and ‘isms. The material is not only learned mentally but experienced so that learnings inform next steps of action and remain with participants to inspire change.  

We build on a series of workshops and experiences that are scaffolded to meet the needs of your group. We approach the work to meet organizations and participants where they are at in their learnings whether at the beginning, the middle or well into their journey. DEIJB is a continual process and with Cultural Creations your journey to create meaningful environments of belonging will result in long term impact. Your team will have the tools to respond with awareness, sensitivity and action in order to sustain practices of diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging.


Consultation and Management for Culturally Responsive Events/Programming

We love to help organize events and programs that build cross cultural and intercultural connections. Connecting differences with similarities often takes place as we experience varied forms of cultural production. Music, food, dance, and story are gateways to deeper understanding and building relationships. We can support organizations and agencies in their efforts to curate multi cultural events, programs or gatherings that not only begin the process but deepen the experience to move beyond the performative aspects of sharing culture. 


If your organization is in need of support to curate events and programs that are representative and/or sensitive to cultural and racial diversity, we got you! Oftentimes our intentions are good but we may not have the training and tools to understand how language, marketing, and programming may sometimes cause harm or be inappropriate. At Cultural Creations we offer support at any point of the process whether it is organizing an event or program, and/or consulting on best practices. We want to build community with you in your respective areas to develop a culture of inclusion and belonging.

IMG_8834.jpeg

Communicating for Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging

Do you work with the communities that have varying backgrounds, opinions, ideas and experiences? We can help with responsible communication, building trust and partnerships. Supporting businesses, agencies, schools and organizations, we offer various methods to support your external work with the public in DEIJB. This can include editing written materials to ensure inclusive and responsive language, supporting project development and implementation, and offering tools and guidance to include multiple perspectives. 


Editing for Belonging: We are here to help your communications resonate with a diverse audience, ensuring that everyone who encounters your words and images feels welcomed, seen, and included. Drawing on years of experience writing and editing for publications dedicated to diversity, equity, and justice, we will work with you to translate your big ideas into clear, accessible, and inviting expressions that appeal to diverse communities. Let us collaborate with you to make sure your next outreach promotes inclusion and belonging. We are available to consult with you at any stage of a project. 


Connected Outreach and Facilitation: Communities are diverse with varied cultural norms that affect the way communities engage with each other, with agencies, and organizations. We support outreach efforts to ensure responsible communication that is appropriate and responsive.  Connecting you to local groups and community leaders we facilitate the process to build trust, partnerships and effective working groups. Sometimes organizations need support from the outside to see clearly on the inside. We offer support to facilitate meetings and events, to develop organizational strategies to move forward with ideas and actions and to moderate multiple perspectives.


Community Education/Programming in DEIJB for Adults and Youth

Adult Programming

Cultural creations offers workshops for the community to better understand DEIJB and how it shows up in our lives. We offer the space for folks to understand and unpack topics that are sometimes uncomfortable and difficult to discuss. Our most common feedback from participants besides learning a lot is that they felt comfortable and safe to talk about issues they often avoid because they don’t know how and don’t want to offend anyone. We offer tools, guidance, practice and knowledge to engage so that we can all work to build just communities.

We offer workshops individually or as part of a series. We can also curate workshops for organizations such as Adult Schools or Extended Education. 

Examples of Community Workshops include: 

  • Talking to Kids about Differences

  • Embodied Racial Justice

  • Cultural Appreciation or Appropriation

  • Unpacking 

    • DEIJB

    • Identity

    • Bias

    • Race/Racism

    • Privilege

    • Systems/Institutions

    • Dominant Narratives

  • Equity

  • Cultural Humility 

  • Intersectionality

As a traditional artist Sandra also offers workshops related to dance and culture:

  • Arab Dance and Culture

  • Diversity in Dance 

  • Using Dance as a tool to build diversity in classrooms

shane-rounce-DNkoNXQti3c-unsplash.jpg
 
 

Youth Programs

Cultural Creations has worked with schools, organizations and individuals to bring in programming for youth that is grounded in diversity and belonging. Incorporating principles of diversity, equity and inclusion, programs offer cross cultural learnings so students embrace differences while understanding similarities. We all participate in and create culture, we just may do it in different ways. Programs centered in principles of inclusion teach students that we can all connect and find common ground often through our differences. 

Examples of Programs Include: 

Immigration and Belonging: Community voices share their living history and experiences while students connect to their own culture and heritage through engaging activities and experiences. Students explore their own spaces of belonging, identity, traditions and culture while connecting to other’s experiences. 

World Beats n Funky Feet: Music and dance are a gateway to other cultures and diverse practices. Through a series of classes, students get to listen to music from around the world, learn traditional dance styles along with popular dance and connect to their bodies through movement. Community artists are often brought in to share their culturally specific dances, music and stories, broadening students' perceptions of people that might not look, talk or act like them. 

For more info please contact us!