The Comfortable Race Conversation Process – Starting October 4th

It is possible to have comfortable conversations about race. If you want to TRANSFORM your ability to connect through difference and create the change without division you need to learn more about this program.

I graduated from this program in 2024 and now it is your turn. Register here https://lnkd.in/gARiZBQF

A course for socially responsible people who want to learn about anti-racism, diversity, equity and inclusion, by having real conversations so they can make the uncomfortable, comfortable

Interested in participating? Contact Leigh Mitchell at leigh@leighmitchell.ca for more details. It is possible to have comfortable conversations about race!

If you want to TRANSFORM your ability to connect through difference and create the change without division….check this program out!

6 Modules Dropped starting October 4th, 2024
6 Live Practice Circles from 10:00 am – 11:30 am EST
Ontario Mental Health Professionals Association Approved

When?

6 FRIDAYS STARTING, October 11th, 2024 from 10:00am-11:30am EST

Registration

You might avoid having a conversation about race because….

You anticipate your feelings and experience will be dismissed or minimized again
You worry you will unintentionally say the wrong thing and will be called out for not knowing
You fear you will hurt someone’s feelings
You are worried they will say something that you will feel uncomfortable to address
You imagine people will leave the conversation
You get anxious just thinking about having a real conversation about race
You feel frustrated when you imagine explaining the reasons you feel the way you do…again
You fear you will be judged if you make a mistake or if you get emotional
You just don’t know how to have a conversation about race

And even though…

You believe in a racially equitable society.
You want to do something about the divisiveness that you see in the world
You want to learn about diversity, equity and inclusion
You have lived experiences of racism and bias
You may have even taken courses, read articles, books and listened to podcasts and have learned a lot.
You may have relationships with people of all races and…..

You still feel uncomfortable having a conversation about Race with other races.

As a past participant, I enthusiastically recommend Natalie’s course, The Comfortable Race Conversation Process. This course was deep, valuable, and because of its experiential grounding, also personally transformative. Natalie’s course helped me to develop my attunement to difference, and to move more deeply into my commitment to work through the unconscious biases that are part of what we inevitably internalize from the social context. This is important to me, as a psychotherapist, because these biases are blocks in my practice to connecting and collaborating with racialized clients.

– Kristin Casady, RP, MA, CTP Dipl (she/her)

Faculty Member, The Centre for Training in Psychotherapy

Why Should I Learn to Have Conversations About Race?

Because you…..

Have taken the courses or have lived experiences and you are still unsure what to say if the topic of race comes up with colleagues, clients, vendors, friends and family
Want to know how you impact others in conversations about race so you do not unintentionally hurt someone
Want to know how to respond if someone makes a mistake with you
Want to know what to do and say if you make a mistake
Want to be able to show up as your full self so you can confidently and effectively communicate with others
Want to understand why you feel so uncomfortable with this topic
Want to feel like you CAN have conversations about race in an embodied, present and courageous way
Want to be a part of the change required for a racially equitable society

“Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced.”

– James Baldwin

Why Should I Take This Course?

‘The Comfortable Race Conversation Process’ not only provided me with a greater understanding of the individual actions I can take, it also gave me the courage to remain active & consistent in bringing forward systemic improvements to policies and practices in my workplace.

Kelly B. – Organizational Leader and Mother of 2

You want to have conversations about race because bridging the gap of diversity is important. You want to lean in and engage in conversations because they need to happen and your discomfort gets in the way. I want you to know that you are not alone. The emotional, physical and psychological discomfort that emerges when talking about race gets in everyone’s way.

We need our humanity at this moment.

Our human emotions, feelings, physical and psychological responses are where we are more the same than different. Our unique experiences are vastly different, but our humanity, which is where we are the same, is where contact is possible.

We need a common ground.

How will we collectively make a change for our children, our communities, our workplaces and our society, if we are not able to talk to each other? so that everyone, who wants change, can connect, hear and understand each other.

We need a common language.

This program is about creating that common ground and language so we all can find a new way to meet each other.

Creating the space and awareness for the emotional, physical, psychological and relational energy that is ALWAYS PRESENT between humans, especially when speaking about the subject of race, is a key element of this process.

If you want to be able to lean into conversations about race – then this course is for you.

Learn how to have conversations about race by having conversations about race.

“When you know better, you do better”.

– Maya Angelou

Who Will Teach Me?

Hi! I am Natalie Haynes and I have been a Training Consultant, Workshop Facilitator and Psychotherapist for over 10 years. I became a therapist because I was a client and I became a client because of my anxiety. I love what I do. I teach people how to be with their emotions in a new way, so they can have more permission and compassion for themselves.

My relationship with my racial identity wasn’t always a good one. Having conversations about race was difficult at best, until I understood what the emotional turmoil I avoided was about. When I changed my relationship to my racial identity and embodied the emotional responses I resisted, everything shifted. I created this program because I want to change how people feel about talking about race so they can have the awareness about how they interact and engage in the places and spaces they live in.

Listen to Our Previous Livestream/Podcast Episode

In this episode, Natalie shares invaluable strategies for practicing positive mental health techniques at work. Discover methods to cope with stress, burnout, anxiety, and other professional challenges, with actionable tips to help you stay balanced and resilient.

Natalie is a Registered Psychotherapist specializing in Emotional and Mental Wellness and DEIB Training, certified by the Ontario Association of Mental Health Professionals (OAMHP) and serving as the President of the Board of the Gestalt Institute of Toronto.

We also delve into the stories we tell ourselves about professional situations. How do we interpret and internalize events like not receiving a callback or missing out on a sale? Natalie helps us understand the personal meanings we attach to these experiences and how to embody more empowering narratives.

Tune in for an insightful conversation on maintaining mental wellness and fostering a positive mindset in your professional life.

We will be discussing the following:

1. Strategies to practice positive mental health techniques at work to cope with stress, burnout, anxiety and whatever else might be challenging us professionally.

2. The meaning we give to stories we tell ourselves when situations occur professionally and how do we embody them? For example, if someone doesn’t call you back or you don’t land that sale what do you internalize about it on a personalized level? How do you embody that meaning?

Natalie Haynes, Registered Psychotherapist and Speaker

Natalie Haynes is an educator, Registered Psychotherapist and Speaker. Natalie’s experience combines 13 years in logistics and supply chain, which include various management roles at Canadian Tire Corporation. To support her mental health challenges, Natalie sought out therapy and became a client, which changed how she related to everything. Natalie decided to change careers and has been a Psychotherapist in private practice for over 15 years.

Natalie uses her varied experience to facilitate experiential workshops, and online courses on mental health, equity, inclusion and belonging. Natalie engages others through her vulnerability, personal stories and experiences, creating psychologically safe spaces necessary for learning and growth to occur.

Her current program entitled “The Comfortable Race Conversation Process” leads individuals through an experiential process to learn how to have uncomfortable conversations about race with other races. This program has been included in the Government of Canada’s, 50-30 Challenge, as a tool to support organizations to have more honest conversations about race.

Join us for “Empower Her Hour: Live Support & Tools” every Thursday at 2 pm EST, exclusively on LinkedIn Live!

This series is dedicated to fostering a supportive community where women empower women. Each week, we dive into the wealth of resources and tools designed to promote equity, diversity, and career advancement for women in business and beyond.

What to Expect:

Live Q&A Sessions with Experts: Have your pressing questions answered in real-time by our panel of seasoned professionals
Tool Showcases: Discover curated tools tailored for HR, business, and career development that drive equity and inclusion.
Career and Mentorship Opportunities: Learn about our Hire Her Job Board and mentorship programs designed to propel your professional journey.
Exclusive Consultations: Drop in your questions during the LinkedIn Livestream or email us at INFO@WOMENBIZ.CA to book a complimentary consult. #EmpowerwithanHour

Whether you’re seeking a job, support for your business, looking to hire talented female professionals, or need specialized DEIB and HR services, “Empower Her Hour” is your go-to resource. Let’s grow, learn, and succeed together in creating more inclusive workplaces.

Tune in. Speak up. Stand out. Let’s empower each other.

Leigh Mitchell

Leigh Mitchell is a DEI-Driven Trainer and Digital Marketer. She founded the Women in Biz Network (ChangeMakers Business Network) and Empower Hour Podcast to support ChangeMakers globally. Statistics Canada recognized her as an expert in Gender Equity. Leigh has an executive certificate in Marketing Leadership from the Sprott School of Business at Carleton University, an Honours Diploma in Recreation Leadership from Humber College and certifications in Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Specialization from the University of Colorado Boulder and Ethical Leadership from the University of Virginia. Leigh is passionate about equity in business, education and sport, with diversity-related coaching certifications from the Coaching Association of Canada and Gender Equity: Inclusive Design Specialization from the University of Toronto. Leigh also teaches international students at York University School of Continuing Education in marketing, PR and business. Throughout her career, Leigh has worked with brands such as Microsoft Canada, SAGE, TELUS, TD Canada Trust, Staples Canada, and Chevrolet Canada. Leigh has been featured in the CBC News, The Globe and Mail, Toronto Star, Canadian Living, and Wall Street Journal and has spoken at numerous industry events.

See Full Bio

Podcast Episode: The Comfortable Race Conversation Process