The REAL Difference

“The difference between good and great is the proficiency of the fundamentals. The solution may seem simple, but it isn’t easy. The decision is yours. Do you want to transact through the work or transform through the work?”

Nam Provost -Lead Consultant & Curriculum Developer

Cultural Fluency

 

Cultural Fluency is the ongoing journey of learning the language of equity and embedding it into our critical consciousness by examining ourselves, learning about cultures and identities that are different than our own, and understanding systems and structures in order to transform ourselves and our organizations.

It is the development of a reflective awareness and a grounded engagement that examine and interrupt the differences in power and privilege that contribute to the inequalities embedded in social relationships, organizations and beyond.

Managing Resistance

 

Resistance is healthy evidence of necessary change. REAL’s “see it, understand it, and engage it” model is a tool that can help identify and recognize subtle and direct resistance, discern the “why,” understand the impact, and address impacts with distinguishing behaviors. It starts first with ourselves and then with others.

Lasting Change

 

The series covers the basic pedagogical aspects of dominant and subordinate behaviors, power and privilege with the assumption that these frameworks can be applied to other existing oppressions. Through the in-depth analysis of race, REAL inspires participants to engage in personal transformation and provides a framework for taking steps towards transforming the systems and organizations in which they operate. REAL supports participants to build the personal aptitude and capacity necessary to create more racially equitable environments.

Follow-up sessions include assignment of accountability partners and check-ins about individual action plans towards organizational/systemic impact.

Transformative Curriculum

 

Each module of the curriculum is interconnected and is built on the foundation of Critical Race Theory. Adult learning methodologies are incorporated, including interactive small and large group discussions, videos, audio, live presentations and reading material. The cohort model creates a safer and braver space that embraces discomfort, where seeds of trust and community are propagated. The curriculum is continually improved and updated.

The series is effective for all levels of knowledge, and all racial identities.

See it, Understand it, Engage it

 

Through the interconnected framework of “see it, understand it and engage it,” participants can take informed action, within their sphere of influence, toward systemic impact.

  • See it - Listen, notice and recognize what is happening around you and in you. This helps us better prepare to engage without doing harm.

  • Understand it - Analyze the situation you see and build skills to do equitable, subconscious & quick analysis of situations.

  • Engage it - Take responsive and impactful action grounded in equity. Speak to power.

Culture Change Built on Organization Development Principles

 

Cultural humility and cultural fluency are foundational to this work. Dialogue creates shared language among participants, enabling a change in the organizational narrative that results in a shift in the underlying assumptions of the organization’s culture.

By eliminating the “diversity checkbox” mentality, participants walk away ready to take informed and systemic action through the development of an equitable mindset that informs attitudes, behaviors, and decision making.

Unlearning and relearning are integral as participants work towards the proficiency of fundamentals and the development of a shared understanding of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion. After the program is complete, participants are set on a path of productive and continuous growth.

Expert Facilitation

 

The series is professionally guided to support courageous dialogue. Facilitation teams are trained to identify and address the unique dynamics and resistance of each cohort and to integrate the concepts of organization development as an additive that deepens impact.

“(This experience) opened my eyes to the historical trauma endured by people of color which is perpetuated through systems which encourage white privilege... (It) offers a fresh, powerful and non-shaming curriculum which is more than lecture and is interactive, testimonial [based] and discussion oriented. Each learner examines privilege and is encouraged to use their influence to seek change, challenge systems and dismantle barriers to level the playing field to support all people having access to reaching their fullest potential.”

Chief of Police -Duluth, MN

Measurability & Outcomes:

Transformational learning is experienced by participants, as they build cultural fluency through a shift in perspective and experience changes in habits of mind.

Organizational impact is also measured as participants leave the REAL program prepared and motivated to follow through on their individual action plans focused on organizational and systemic change.

REAL Outcomes:

Individual Contributors at every level will be able to:

  • Apply a critically conscious lens of equity and inclusion to projects and decision making.

  • Understand one’s own participation in oppressive systems and take informed action to interrupt.

People Managers will:

  • Become more aware of and acknowledge the differing life experiences of people and how it impacts their work and experience at the organization.

  • Be aware of resources available to support people, the importance of support, and have the ability to positively contribute to feelings of inclusion.