Our Meaningful Workshops Promote Connection & Inclusion
- Want Impactful Diversity & Inclusion Training?
- Want Accessible & Hands-On Team Building?
- Want CE, CPD, & PDC Credits?
WHAT WE DO
Diversity & Inclusion Training
Our inclusion training workshops use compelling activities and stories by global innovators to provide you and your group with a meaningful education experience.
Team Building
Our team building workshops use hands-on arts-and-crafts activities and stories by global innovators to provide you and your group with a meaningful bonding experience.
CE, CPD, & PDC Credits
You can earn continuing education (CE) and continuing professional development (CPD) credit by completing our workshops. Smith Assembly is recognized by SHRM to offer Professional Development Credits (PDCs) for SHRM-CP® or SHRM-SCP®.
Our Live-Facilitated Workshops
For Groups
We offer the following five types of live-facilitated workshops for groups of 2-100+. During these experiences, whether they're online or in-person, a Smith Assembler guides you and your team in real-time.
Collectively, the Smith Assemblers who co-created these workshops identify with a variety of demographics and characteristics. These include, Female, Male, Latinx, Person Of Color, Indigenous, White, Heterosexual, LGBTQIA2S+, Neurotypical, Neurodivergent, Younger, Older, Religious, Atheist, Able-Bodied, Living With Invisible Disability, Citizen, and Immigrant.
Contact us for a brochure, to chat about your unique needs and goals, or to schedule and purchase.
JEDI Reflection | |
|---|---|
| Type | Diversity & Inclusion Training |
| Description | Create Common Language Through Global Case Studies |
| Co-Created With |  N/A |
| Activity |  Hands-On Icebreaker + Overview of JEDI, Selected Global Case Study, & Guided Discussions |
| Duration |  1 - 2 Hours |
| Focus |  Guided Discussions |
| Price |  $$ |
JEDI Reflection | |
|---|---|
| Type | Diversity & Inclusion Training |
| Description | Create Common Language Through Innovators’ Stories |
| Co-Created With | Estrella Soto* & Enoc Ramírez* |
| Activity | Hands-On Icebreaker + Overview of JEDI, Stories from Global Innovators, & Guided Discussions |
| Duration | 1 - 2 Hours |
| Focus | Guided Discussions |
| Price | $$ |
Fantastic Creatures | |
|---|---|
| Type | Team Building |
| Description | Create A Creature Inspired By Oaxacan Alebrijes |
| Co-Created With | Estrella Soto* |
| Activity | Icebreaker + Beginner Level Arts-and-Crafts |
| Duration | 1 - 2.5 Hours |
| Focus | Creativity |
| Price | $$ |
Grandpa’s Toys | |
|---|---|
| Type | Team Building |
| Description | Build Two Toys Created By A Oaxacan Family |
| Co-Created With | Enoc Ramírez* |
| Activity | Icebreaker + Intermediate Level Arts-and-Crafts |
| Duration | 1 - 2.5 Hours |
| Focus | Stories |
| Price | $$ |
Hands-On Activity + JEDI Reflection | |
|---|---|
| Type | Your Choice |
| Description | Mix-and-Match To Craft Your Ideal Workshop |
| Co-Created With | Your Choice |
| Activity | Icebreaker + 1 Arts-and-Crafts + Choice of 1 JEDI Reflection |
| Duration | 2.5 - 4.5 Hours |
| Focus | Your Choice + Guided Discussions |
| Price | $$$ |
* The Mexican state of Oaxaca is home to 18 different indigenous peoples (pre-Hispanic tribes). Enoc, his family, and his community are of Zapotec descent. Estrella identifies as Oaxacan. Through their work with the nonprofit organization OAXIN, these two innovative leaders collaborate closely with a number of indigenous communities. These include an Ikoot community in San Mateo del Mar, a Mixe community in Jaltepec de Candayoc, a Triqui community in Yosoyuxi Copala, and a Zapotec community in Santiago Suchilquitongo.
Our Virtually-Facilitated Workshop
For Individuals & Groups
Are you looking for an online course to do on your own schedule and at your own pace?
We offer a self-directed version of the 'Hands On Activity + JEDI Reflection' workshop described above.
Inclusion Training Workshop (OAX) features arts-and-crafts and stories from two Oaxacan global innovators. This virtually-facilitated online course is a meaningful and fun way for individuals and groups of any size to learn while doing something creative. During the approximately 2.5-hour experience, Smith Assemblers guide you via pre-recorded videos and voice overs.
Visit our thinkific site for details — workshop benefits, supplies needed for the Hands-On Activity, topics covered during the JEDI Reflection, screenshots, and pricing per participant — or to buy.
LEARN MORE, PURCHASE, & STARTDRAG TO VIEW SOME CLIENT TESTIMONIALS
PHOTO GALLERY
We offer two workshops for diversity and inclusion training (JEDI Reflection Case Studies & JEDI Reflection Global Innovators’ Stories), two for team building (Fantastic Creatures Hands-On Activity & Grandpa’s Toys Hands-On Activity), and a combo of both (Hands-On Activity + JEDI Reflection). All of our online courses are ideal for individuals with remote and hybrid working arrangements. Courses can also be scheduled onsite for in-person groups working at the office.
WHAT'S JEDI
JEDI Is Justice, Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion
Diversity & Inclusion training goes by many terms and/or abbreviations — D&I (Diversity and Inclusion), DEI (Diversity Equity and Inclusion), EDI (Equity Diversity and Inclusion), JEDI (Justice Equity Diversity and Inclusion), and DEIJ (Diversity Equity Inclusion and Justice) tend to be the most common.
The term JEDI felt right to us. We believe it’s important to simultaneously talk about equity and justice (not focus solely on diversity and inclusion). No term is perfect. JEDI, for example, is associated with a well-known cultural brand. They've had numerous challenges in all four topic areas (especially when some of the most hardcore members of their fan base are involved). Some people see that association and history as a disqualifier. However, we see concrete examples as a great resource when sharing information and supporting initial conversations about sensitive topics like JEDI. It's often easier to look at how diverse, inclusive, equitable, and just other organizations are (rather than your own employees, management, or business).
HOW WE DO IT
Improve The Health Of Your Workplace Culture
We Nurture Your Openness
Changing attitudes and behaviors requires (at least temporary) freedom from judgement. Our facilitators establish a neutral environment so that you'll feel comfortable being exposed to new concepts, experimenting with different tools/techniques, and asking questions. You’ll see how we all sometimes make mistakes, then learn the best ways to acknowledge and overcome them. We also incorporate somatic activities, such as hands-on icebreakers and energizers, to further open your mind and heart to new ideas and viewpoints.
We Expand Your Perspective
Demystifying others has been shown to increase feelings of connection, inclusion, and belonging. Our diverse staff and global lens give you an opportunity to casually observe and practice a variety of intercultural communication, collaboration, and problem-solving techniques. During our workshops, you'll also be introduced to a global innovator or case study. You'll hear stories about how they’re overcoming bias and discrimination to develop innovative and sustainable strategies for their communities.
We Strengthen Your Connections
Connection — relationships with others and an internal sense of connectedness to others — is a fundamental human need. Creating small connections between employees and managers through common interests and shared experiences overcomes unconscious biases related to gender, age, race, and status differences. When present, connection helps people better understand one another and leads to more inclusive workplaces. Employees and leaders who feel very included are nearly three times as likely to feel excited by and committed to their company.
WHY WE START WITH CONNECTION
Connection is key to effective inclusion training and team building.
Healthy connections, like people, need consistent care and feeding to thrive. Connections are the lifeblood of successful cultures and businesses. We start with connection because it fosters inclusion, and inclusion empowers diverse thinking and produces more innovative solutions.
When’s the last time you and your colleagues gathered together for something other than work?
Strong connections and trust among employees, management, and leadership are integral to an organization's health, happiness, performance, and success. A regular cadence of accessible and impactful learnings and activities can foster feelings of connection, inclusion, engagement, and inspiration within your workplace.
CONNECTION THROUGH TEAM BUILDINGWE'D LOVE TO CO-CREATE WITH YOU
Revolutionize Employee Engagement In Your Workplace
Smith Assembly will help you disrupt the status quo and cultivate a healthier workforce and culture. The value of our approach is in celebrating diversity and centering connection and inclusion. We show you how to evolve your communication and collaboration skills and your design and development practices to be more participatory and co-creative. Inclusive workplaces promote engagement, which markedly benefits productivity, retention, and financial performance. By learning how to fish so to speak, you can continue to drive success + impact long after our workshop ends.
