Past CIRC Conferences

April 8, 2022

13th Annual Community Intercultural Relations Conference (Virtual)

​Creating Inclusive Spaces

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 this conference, we will explore ways to identify the barriers and biases that hinder those creative spaces. Attendees will be empowered with tools and recommendations to make their organizations’ practices more equitable while providing ongoing support for all.

Program

​Speakers

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

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

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

Sponsors

Gold:
Owens Corning
Boeing
Licking Memorial Health Systems

Silver: 
Park National Bank
Licking County Job & Family Services

Bronze: 
Denison University
United Way of Licking County

April 9, 2021

Racial Justice Requires Equity and Me

Program

View Video Playlist

Speakers/Facilitators

J. Love Benton, PhD – Columbus State Community College and Temple University Adjunct Professor
Benton recently published her dissertation, entitled Culturally Collaborative Teaching: A Path Toward Black Student Learning, that reveals a new framework for education that works to create transformational change to ensure the experience of equitable education for black students in the K-12 system. She earned her PhD in Leadership and Change from Antioch University.

Simma Lieberman – Workplace Inclusivity Consultant, Speaker, Advisor and Facilitator
Lieberman, “The Inclusionist,” creates inclusive cultures where employees love to do their best work, and customers love to do business. She has consulted for organizations including Intel, Diageo, McDonalds, Sonoco, Oracle and the U.S. Department of Transportation. She hosts a weekly cross-race podcast on race and has authored several books and articles on diversity and inclusion. Lieberman earned her Master of Arts in Health Education from Columbia Pacific University.

Concurrent Facilitator – Eric Jorrey – Central Ohio Technical College Sociology Professor

2021 Sponsors

Gold Sponsor:
Licking Memorial Health Systems

Silver Sponsor:
Boeing Company
Park National Bank

Bronze Sponsor:
Denison University
Energy Co-op
United Way of Licking County

Conference Sponsor:
First Federal Savings

September 25, 2020

11th Annual Conference
Continuing to Create a Community of Belonging

Keynote speaker: Daniel Juday. Juday works to build bridges of understanding and empathy across challenging “divides.” He deeply believes that all people matter, and he’s spent much of his life working in roles that have allowed him to develop thinking around the nature of education and learning, relationship-building, and professional growth – all in a pursuit to make the spaces we influence more inclusive. Sessions facilitated included “Redefining Diversity and Exercising Inclusion” and “The Power of Authentic Relationships.”

This virtual conference allowed local individuals with diverse backgrounds the opportunity to provide an overview of their experiences while demonstrating the importance of community acceptance and belonging. Live demonstrations and workshops were included.

April 5, 2019

10th Annual Conference
A Cultural Divide: Social and Economic Challenges

Current reports show that the U.S. is economically thriving, but our lower middle class and impoverished communities continue to struggle during these times of stability. This conference aimed to bring our community together to develop a better understanding of these complex issues between abundance and survival. Throughout the day, speakers presented on topics pertaining to current economic challenges, shared personal experiences and educated participants through engaging activities. The conference’s goal was to provide critical awareness of the economic challenges of today. Participants learned about the complexities that challenge not only our most vulnerable but also our neighbors and family members. Takeaway included tools and resources to help provide effective support and guidance.

April 19, 2018

9th Annual Conference
Building a Culture of Respect: Challenging our Unconscious & Repressive Behaviors

The goal of the conference was to establish a starting point for the meaning of respect, and attendees were given a general overview of respectful terms which are inclusive but not limited to consideration, admiration, reverence and esteem. Our inability to recognize and embrace the merits of diversity has not only produced oppressive societies and divided nations but also diminished the possibilities of finding common interest in creating a culture of respect. We must challenge our conscious and unconscious behaviors, biases and attitudes to help bring about a better understanding of ourselves and others.

Following the conference, attendees had the opportunity to reflect on their own opinions, mindsets and actions in order to determine the level of respect they hold for themselves and those who have a different lived experience. Our ability to move forward will require creative collaboration among our community members and leaders, businesses and government. In the words of keynote speaker, Tim Wise, “Standing still is never an option so long as inequities remain embedded in the very fabric of the culture.

April 21, 2017

8th Annual Community Intercultural Relations Conference
Diversity: Changes & Growth Across Generations

The 2017 Community Intercultural Relations Conference focused on the understanding of cross generational relationships within our communities and workplace. Currently, there are four generations in the workplace at the same time. It is predicted that within four years, there will be five generations with even more diverse expectations, behaviors and attitudes involving commitment, benefits, and new technology expectations. In this conference, attendees learned to identify the generational differences through presentations, interactive activities and discussions in preparation for the diverse challenges of a multi-generational workplace. The goal of the conference was to create a more inclusive environment that is supportive of all community members.

April 8, 2016

7th Annual Community Intercultural Relations Conference
When Inclusive is More Than a Word

The 2016 Community Intercultural Relations Conference focused on the policies and procedures of organizations for inclusivity content that embraces diversity and diverse groups. The conference highlighted the imperatives of clearly defined goals and expectations for all employees, customers and community members for organizations that continually seek a more diverse workforce. It noted that organizations must mandate review and assessment of policies and procedures to continuously set the tone for respecting and embracing the values, traditions and heritages of all groups of people.

April 10, 2015

6th Annual Community Intercultural Relations Conference
Change Agents for a More Inclusive Environment

Local business leaders, social services, residents and college students, staff and faculty engaged in interactive activities, including a world café to become effective agents for change. During the conference, attendees gained a better understanding of how implicit bias can influence the many ways we engage with each other. Social media and videos to demonstrate the way decisions can be made based on these biases. By the end of the conference, attendees shared ideas, gained knowledge and developed awareness strategies to reduce and eliminate implicit bias for a more inclusive environment for all to live and work.

April 11, 2014

5th Annual Community Intercultural Relations Conference
OPEN Doors & Minds GLBTQ Community Dialogues

Business leaders, community partners, and educators gained valuable insights to improve learning and understanding when interacting with the GLBTQ (gay, lesbian, bi-sexual, transgender, and questioning) community. Presentations will be made by students, community members and experienced diversity and inclusion practitioners with differing backgrounds, patterns of thought, and ideologies to help start or enhance the programs within organizations.

April 12, 2013

4th Annual Community Intercultural Relations Conference
Valuing Diversity & Inclusion in Our Community

Business leaders, community directors and educators learned about successful diversity and inclusion training and best practice programs that have been implemented in several local companies to improve the work environment for employees and customers with regards to social and cultural respectfulness.

May 18, 2012

3rd Annual Community Intercultural Relations Conference
Respecting Cultural Differences in Local Communities

Business leaders and owners and educators learned about the various ways of respecting and understanding different cultures that co-exist in local communities.

May 12, 2011

2nd Annual Community Intercultural Relations Conference
Embracing Global Perspectives in Licking County

Business leaders and owners learned about global values, behaviors and best practices – all within our ever-changing global community and beyond.