13th Annual Community Intercultural Relations Conference

There’s no question that when we find a space that is accessible, welcoming and inclusive, we feel free to live our best lives and do our best work. But sometimes it’s hard to know how to get there — or how to create those spaces for others whose experiences are different from our own. At the 13th Annual Community Intercultural Relations Conference, participants will explore ways to identify the barriers and biases that hinder those creative spaces.

The conference will be held on Friday, April 8, 2022, in a virtual setting that will include live discussions, workshops and pre-recorded videos. Attendees will be empowered with tools and recommendations to make their organizations’ practices more equitable while providing ongoing support for all.

Register online by March 28 at go.osu.edu/interculturalrelations. There is a $30 conference fee.

Tentative continuing education units (CEUs) and recertification are being reviewed for counselors and social workers by Behavioral Healthcare Partners of Central Ohio, Inc.; certified prevention specialists by Prevention Action Alliance; and human resources professionals by Licking County Chamber of Commerce.

SPEAKERS/PRESENTATIONS

• Simone Crawley, Founder and chief executive officer of Crawley Cultural

  • Crawley guides both businesses and individuals as they address their implicit bias and implement diversity, equity, inclusion and antiracism. She is also a certified instructor of the Adult and Youth Mental Health First Aid curricula.
    • Title: Elephants in the Room: Addressing Bias and Microaggressions to Achieve Inclusion
      • This session will provide actionable best practices to remove barriers to inclusion. Such barriers include unchecked bias and prejudice that comes out in the form of microaggressions. It will also explore elements of bystander syndrome, calling out, and calling in.
• Sarah Buffie, MSW, LSW, Founding director of Soul Bird Consulting
  • Buffie believes that nothing has the power to heal like supportive relationships. Specializing in trauma responsive care, she helps disrupt current models of thinking by building empathy and understanding around the effects of trauma.
    • Title: Relational Resilience — Centering Safety between You and Me
      • Relational Resilience is the capacity to be safely in a relationship with ourselves and others. This session will focus on unpacking different domains of safety and how each of these impact the felt sense of any space.
• Leo Taylor, PhD, Program manager for faculty and staff affairs for The Ohio State University; College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences; Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
  • Taylor is passionate about equity and inclusion, particularly implicit bias, power and privilege, gender identity and sexuality, mental health, and neurodiversity.
    • Title: The Role of Pronouns in Cultivating Inclusive Spaces for People of All Genders
      • This session addresses why pronouns matter, the long history of using “they/them” to refer to a single person, and ways allies can use pronouns to advocate for and support transgender and gender non-conforming individuals.

DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION CHAMPION AWARD

The Diversity and Inclusion Champion Award will be presented at the Community Intercultural Relations Conference. This award recognizes individuals and businesses from Licking County for implementing, improving or supporting diversity and inclusion initiatives. Nominations are still being accepted through March 1 at go.osu.edu/inclusionaward.

SPONSORS

The Community Intercultural Relations Conference is sponsored by:

• Hosts: Central Ohio Technical College (COTC) and The Ohio State University at Newark

• Gold: Boeing, Licking Memorial Health Systems

• Silver: Park National Bank

• Bronze: Denison University, Liking County Jobs & Family Services, United Way of Licking County