The Diversity and Inclusion Team has launched several initiatives this year to continue its mission of fostering a diverse and inclusive culture for all Citizens employees. The team strives to keep employees updated on its work because diversity is a core value at Citizens, and we believe creating a diverse and inclusive workplace ultimately leads to better customer service and a competitive advantage for the Trust.
Celebration Months
The team seeks opportunities to celebrate diversity with educational posts on iTrust. Recent “Did You Know?” series posts included Autism Awareness and Acceptance Month (April), Asian American, Native American, and Pacific Islanders Heritage Month (May), and LGBTQ+ Pride Month (June).
Book Club
The Diversity and Inclusion Team launched a book club this spring to provide another opportunity for employees to learn about various cultures and diversity and inclusion-related topics. Book club participants vote on which books to read from a list of options developed by the book club committee. Participants are given an opportunity to share their impressions of each book, and then team member Laura O’Brien facilitates discussions.
The group has read three books so far. Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents by Isabel Wilkerson inspired thoughtful and open conversation about how an unspoken caste system has shaped America and still affects our lives today. Anonymous Is A Woman by Dr. Nina Ansary educated participants about several lesser-known women in history. The Reason I Jump: The Inner Voice of a Thirteen-Year-Old Boy with Autism by Naoki Higashida gave insight to the thoughts, feelings, and actions of a teen with autism.
The next book club pick is Somebody’s Daughter: A Memoir by Indiana native and Indianapolis resident Ashley C. Ford. Learn more about the book and how to join the book club here.
Lunch and Learns
Lunch-and-learn forums provide an opportunity for employees to learn about community organizations that support diversity and inclusion principles. On June 22, the team held a lunch and learn about local LGBTQ+ organizations. Guest speakers were De’Ja Tibbs, Executive Director of Indiana Pride of Color, Inc., and TJ Wright, CEO & Principal of Whelhaus & Co. Stay tuned for details on how to register for upcoming lunch-and-learn events!
Diversity Training
Remember, as part of your performance review, you are rated on diversity as one of Citizens’ core values. You have an opportunity to add diversity-related accomplishments to your development plan by completing parts one and two of the diversity training curriculum Open Minds Transform Organizations, which is available on Citizens Success Academy.
Get Involved
To learn more about the team and its plans for 2021, visit the Diversity and Inclusion iTrust site or reach out to a team member. You can also check in with your department’s diversity champion to stay in the know about diversity and inclusion initiatives.
