Conversations on DEI

Project Overview: As part of my role supporting educational programming within a national sorority, I designed and facilitated a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) workshop for members aged 18–22. The goal was to empower participants with foundational DEI knowledge, shared vocabulary, and an understanding of how privilege and perspective influence inclusion in college, the workforce, and in life.

Challenge: Many members expressed interest in supporting DEI initiatives but felt uncertain about terminology and how to engage in these conversations confidently. Drawing on my own experience in the sorority, I created a community that was inclusive, safe, and created conversations that were safe and free of judgment.

Solution: I created an interactive slide deck and discussion-based session titled “Language of Inclusion: Understanding DEI and Personal Privilege.”

Key design elements:
* Plain-language definitions of core DEI terms (e.g., equity, inclusion, unconscious bias).
* Reflection prompts encouraging members to consider their own experiences and sources of privilege
* Scenario-based questions that allowed participants to apply concepts to real campus and sorority contexts
* Collaborative activities to promote open conversation and shared understanding

To ensure engagement, I incorporated storytelling, real-world examples, and a tone of empowerment through sisterhood. The presentation was delivered live, with opportunities for discussion, Q&A, and reflection.

Impact: Participants reported feeling more comfortable using DEI language and more aware of how everyday interactions can promote or inhibit inclusion. Several members expressed interest in continuing the conversation through follow-up sessions and community initiatives.