Diversity pays. According to a 2020 report from What to Become, companies employing an equal number of men and women make up to 41% more in revenue than their less diverse counterparts, and 43% of companies with diverse management show higher profits. Combine that with today’s movement for increased inclusivity, and it’s no wonder that companies are seeking to promote workplace diversity. It’s not all about profits, though. Hosting engaging diversity events can help companies to reach a larger hiring pool and demonstrate that they respect their current employees’ backgrounds.
 
Learn how offering a variety of educational and entertaining events can make your company’s diversity campaign more successful.
 

Building relationships with diversity events

We spoke to Felicia Jadczak, CEO of She+ Geeks Out, an organization focused on facilitating workplace diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) about the importance of diversity and inclusion events. She’s noticed that good events can build “relationships between team members who might not otherwise interact on a daily basis.” This can help them to work better as a team and improve the company culture overall.
 
For Jadczak, it’s key to host a variety of events to involve and engage as many people as possible. “Events can range in type and structure from ‘lunch and learns,’ to moderated fireside chats, to panel discussions, to more open networking-type gatherings,” she says.
 

Working around a theme

When thinking of diversity event ideas in the workplace, consider making your events part of a series or larger campaign. Themed events are a powerful way to help you focus your diversity efforts and get participants to explore issues or celebrate a particular culture.
 
Focus social inclusion events around a holiday, for example, or around the likes of International Women’s Day, Pride, and Indigenous Peoples’ Day. Black History Month is another annual event to plan around. To celebrate Black culture and showcase Black voices, creators are using Eventbrite to organize and promote a wide array of events. Get inspired by their successes as you ramp up your company’s DEI efforts.
 
From book previews and conversation series to sharing stresses in a safe space, consider offering workplace events that explore Black experiences, such as virtual tours of important historical sites or conversations with authors and public figures.
 

Connection is key

The key to any event is connecting with your participants and letting them connect with one another. As She+ Geeks Out’s Jadczak puts it, “Especially these days, events are a way to connect us all and bring us together.”
 
But true connection isn’t always easy. Jadczak adds that the real challenge is providing “a truly meaningful, interactive online experience.” That’s why looking for common ground in your workplace is so important.
 
Ask yourself: Are your employees more interested in the arts or sports? Music or movies? You could celebrate culture by touring a museum or go more hands-on with a shared cooking experience that explores regional recipes. Appeal to creative employees with a night devoted to the music of female composers or readings from female authors. Tailoring your event to your workplace demographics will help you better connect with your employees as you highlight the value of diversity and inclusion.
 
You should also consider a variety of formats and content types as starting points for your events. Think about the impact of each type of event and see what lines up with your company’s goals and your employees’ interests. For example, tours of cultural sites let participants explore new places, which can help you and your employees become more connected to your city and region. Conversations with inspiring thought leaders can offer a close-up intimacy, giving employees a chance to talk about their own experiences or even spark personal growth.
 

It’s not a one-and-done

Keep in mind that a single event won’t resolve issues surrounding diversity and inclusion. Jadczak says that the real work of inclusivity happens day to day. Don’t let your effort end with your event — keep working after it’s over and inspire your employees to think about diversity in their everyday lives.
 
It’s also essential to make a genuine effort at inclusion and truly empathize with people of different backgrounds and experiences. “Events can also be a nice way to continue the conversations around these topics, outside of a training or workshop setting,” Jadczak tells us. When attendees can see your commitment, they’ll have a more positive response to your event overall.
 
For a truly inclusive event, you may also need to recognize the limitations of your own experience and background. If necessary, you can broaden your knowledge by consulting with community leaders, cultural leaders, and other people with experience in planning inclusive events.
 

Keep them talking

Ultimately, diversity events are successful when they make real connections among participants, leading to a more inclusive workplace over time. A genuinely engaging event keeps people interested long after it’s over and encourages employees to apply the lessons they’ve learned to their everyday work you can even ask how things have changed in a post-event survey. As Jadczak says, “It’s so important to always be reflecting and listening. It’s also everyone’s job to support and foster inclusive work environments.”
 
Launch your conversation and watch your workplace community learn and grow.