THE RACE Experience

The Race Experience

Participants: Essential for all supervisors and above, and applicable for employees at every level within the organization.

Facilitator: Al Vivian, President & CEO of BASIC Diversity, Inc.

Duration: 2 Days

Process/Overview: Our premier and most requested product. It was the first program to be the sole featured topic for two full consecutive days on the Oprah Winfrey Show. The majority of participants call it a “… life changing experience”. This intense seminar has been evaluated as the most effective race relations program in the nation. Three of our clients (working independently of each other and of BASIC Diversity) conducted in depth analysis and evaluations of their employees who had attended this seminar 3-5 years earlier. The results revealed that 86% – 94% of those participants felt that the experience had not only improved their thoughts, opinions and attitudes towards people of other races; but that it had also improved their actions and interactions with people of other races. No other program can make this claim. Participants also said that The Race Experience tremendously improved their confidence and comfort within multicultural environments. 

Participants leave this seminar with both head knowledge and heart knowledge. If you are looking to create “Diversity Champions” within your organization, especially around the issues of race, this is truly the seminar for you!
What Participants Say About The Race Experience:

“Brilliant seminar.”
Oprah Winfrey — Host “The Oprah Winfrey Show”

“What an excellent program. It challenged many of my assumptions and has made me reevaluate my views on work, life, and American society. Al then provided us with tools and messages to help improve racial relations in our work and social settings – so we can help change things for the better.”
Bill Johnson – President & Chief Executive Officer
Progress Energy

“After years of attending diversity seminars, the BASIC Diversity seminar really gets it! This seminar should be required training for every person who considers him/herself a leader.”
Cathy Lewis — Vice President
IBM Global Services

“The most profound two days of training I have undergone in 30 years in the workforce.”
Eric John Ross — Group Vice President, Operations & Services
Nortel Networks

“Al Vivian’s strategy, energy, and skills are by far the best I have experienced for race relations training and education. He is truly gifted!”
John L. Ford — Senior Vice President and Dean of Campus Life
Emory University

“This seminar has been the most important training I have received in my 31 years with Ford. I will be a better manager and, more importantly, a better person as a result of the knowledge and understanding I obtained in this seminar.”
Milan D. Rulich — Manager, Dealer Development \ Western Region
Ford Motor Company

“A must for any corporation or change agent who is serious about turning the corner and moving the needle to understanding and managing diversity…. It’s a matter of survival for all of us.”
Robert L. Young, Jr. — Director of Diversity
Allied Signal Aerospace

“All my life I felt an imbalance gnawing away inside myself where race relations were concerned. This exercise in honesty allowed me to resolve my internal conflicts. The seminar lasted two days, but its effects will last a lifetime.”
Kim Croom — Social Research Manager
North Carolina Department of Commerce

Pursuits & Purpose

› Develop an understanding of how demographic trends demand improved cross-racial cultural intelligence

› Develop skills to identify previously unrecognized cultural patterns that would otherwise lead to diversity disasters

› Understand the science of racial identity development

› Hands-on tactics to challenge racial bias and other forms of bias or discrimination

› Understand how to identify and diplomatically challenge racial biases

› Better understand behavioral patterns and cultural norms of majority and minority racial groups

› Establish comfort and confidence when engaging in cross-racial dialogue on tough issues

Payoffs & Results

› A more racially inclusive workplace

› Improved cross-racial communications

› Improved cross-racial cultural intelligence and improved business outcomes

› Become employer of choice for the fastest growing demographic groups in America

› Improved and more diverse recruiting and retention

› Greater organizational transparency and improved cross-racial trust.

› More effective and efficient succession planning system that leverages everyone

› Greater level of employee engagement

› More diversity equates to higher innovation

› Improved processes