Race Matters Events

HR’s Race Matters initiative offers regular forums with an HR-perspective.

Designed for UC Davis HR professionals, managers and supervisors who want to reduce bias in the workplace and engage with their teams on matters of race.  

Upcoming Events

Race Matters is Back!

We're ready to kick off the new academic year with an exploration of how the “new normal” impacts DEI objectives - and we'll also review the key topics covered by Race Matters in the past year.

The Intersection of Inclusion, Belonging and our New Normal

The move to flexible and remote work has had a positive impact in the DEI realm – it’s democratized work experiences and increased accessibility.  Join this workshop to learn about these trends - and to explore what we can do to maintain this progress as we move toward our "new normal". 

October 19, 2021 | 1:30 - 3:00 

Register Here

Past Events and Materials

  • Allyship Part 2: The Discussion
    Presented June 16th, 2021

  • According to Deloitte, Allies may be the missing link; they’re in the team meetings, the casual conversations, and the decision on whom to promote! 

    In this session we explored the actions, lessons, wins, and stumbles you may have had on your journey to allyship.   

  • Allyship is Intentional, with guest speaker La'Wana Harris
    Presented April 27th, 2021

  • With Special Guest Speaker, La'Wana Harris

    Everyone has the ability to be an ally.  An ally is any person that actively promotes and aspires to advance the culture of inclusion through intentional, positive and conscious efforts that benefit people as a whole.  In this workshop, we explored the topic of allyship, including how to become an action-taking ally in our work world.

    Materials from this session include:
     > Recording of Presentation (Available through July, 2021)
     > Allyship Workshop Guide (PDF)
     > Inviting New Perspectives for Diversity Beyond Lip Service (PDF)
     > Assessment of your strengths and weaknesses around D&I (Online Tool on LaWanaHarris.com)

  • Not Racist is Not Enough: The Journey to Becoming Anti-Racist
    Presented March 23rd, 2021
  • In this session participants considered their own progress in advancing diversity, equity and inclusion efforts in our workplace and lives.  We learned what it takes to be “anti-racist,” identified action steps towards becoming anti-racist and cultivating a culture of inclusivity at UC Davis.

    Materials from this session include:
     > Presentation Slide Deck (PDF)
     > Recording of Presentation, with transcript (1hr13m) 
        This recording will be available through June, 2021
     > WordCloud - Attendees answers to "What do you think of when you hear the term anti-racist?"

    This session was presented by Christine Lovely, Ann Foley, Gayle Guest-Brown and Lyndon Huling.
  • 28-Day Challenge to Build Habits Supporting Racial Equity
    February 1st - 28th, 2021 

  • “There is no social change fairy.  There is only the change made by the hands of individuals.”   – Winona LaDuke 

    Social change starts with each of us, as individuals, and like other successful changes you've made in your life, it takes time and attention.  Over 230 people joined in this challenge and started developing habits of engaging with information, resources, and activities that support racial equity.

    Visit the Challenge web page for resources. 

  • New Year, New You: Building Habits for Racial Equity
    Presented January 27th, 2021
  • In this session we invited everyone to join us in a 28-day challenge for building habits around racial equity.  We explored why this was important, how the challenge worked, and then dove in with the first week's theme, History, by exploring the topic of Systemic Racism.

    Materials from this session include:
     > Presentation Slide Deck (PDF)
     > Recording of Presentation (43min)
     > Act.TV Video on Systemic Racism (4min23sec)
     > WordCloud - Attendees answers to "How are you feeling about engaging in the topic of racial equity?"

    This session was presented by Christine Lovely, Ann Foley, Gayle Guest-Brown and Lyndon Huling and discussion group facilitators included Vickie Gomez, Jim Hankins, Mercedes Piedra, Vicky Tibbs, and Kawami Evans.
  • Advancing the Conversation
    Presented December 15th, 2020

  • Christine Lovely, Senior AVC of HR and Chief HR Officer, moderated a candid discussion with these leaders about their experiences with facilitating discussions about race, bias and equity.

       Mercedes Piedra, Director of Multicultural Education at UCDH
       Kawami Evans, Director of Inclusion & Organizational Development, Student Housing
       Jim Hankins, Executive Director of HR Shared Services Organization

    With additional facilitation by Lyndon Huling and Gayle Guest-Brown

    Recording of 12/15 Workshop (1 hr, 24 min)

  • Business as Unusual: Talking About Race at Work
    Presented November 12th, 2020

  • Facilitated by Gayle Guest-Brown & Vicky Tibbs
    This interactive and informative session explored engagement, team agreements, micro-aggressions, and how to use the Crucial Conversations framework  to engage in true dialogues even when faced with tough conversations.  

  • Belonging | Creating Inclusive Environments
    Presented October 8th. 2:00 - 3:30

  • Presented by: Gayle Guest-Brown, MBA and Lyndon Huling, EdD

    This workshop explored how recognizing and mitigating bias is an important first step in creating an equitable workplace, but making our work environments truly inclusive requires more action.

    Download Materials
    Guide:  HR Toolkit for Inclusive Work Environments
    Presentation Slide Deck (PDF)

  • Implicit Bias: Understand It & Mitigate It
    Presented September 10, 2020

  • Presented by: Lyndon Huling, EdD and Gayle Guest-Brown, MBA

    This workshop explored how biases can negatively impact HR policies, practices and personal interactions
    > Understand how bias impacts hiring, compensation and other HR practice
    > Unpack the baggage of stereotypes
    > Leverage a new guidebook to help identify and mitigate bias

    Download Materials
    - Guide: Addressing Implicit Bias in the Workplace
    - Presentation Slide Deck (PDF)

  • Confronting and Reducing Bias in the Workplace
    Presented August 6, 2020

  • Presented by: Shaun Fletcher, PhD

    Participants gained a deeper understanding of the concept of diversity in the workplace and reflect on your role in creating a more inclusive environment.

    Download Materials
    The following addressed strategies for reducing barriers and bias, and encouraging an inclusive mindset in the workplace or community.
    > Presentation / Slide Deck (PDF)
    > Unpack Your Stereotypical Baggage
    > Definitions of Social Identity Concepts & Social Identify Profile

For more on opportunities to learn and engage on topics around racial equity, bias, diversity and inclusion, please visit the Education page for University's Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.