Finding Human™

• Do you feel called to be a part of the solution for dismantling systemic racism in the world?

• Do you wish to create even more inclusive spaces with your programs and experiences?

• Would you like to increase your confidence with navigating and hold space for conversations about race and racism in your business, organization and your life?  

After all, you would never want to be showing up in a way that cues to your audience or potential audience that you haven’t done your work, or that you don’t care about creating a more equitable world. That’s not who you are.

However, if we have not invested in our individual and collective self-awareness about race and racism, that will be who we become by default.

In fact, I am guessing that it hurts your heart to think that there are clients in YOUR INDUSTRY who experience THE OPPOSITE of what we are meant to stand for-love acceptance, joy, freedom.

Today, the climate around race and racism has been heightened as the movement for an equitable and just society is being actively challenged and resisted. Now is the time for transformational leaders to lean in and truly lead the charge around building a culture that is welcoming and authentic for everyone. I believe it is totally possible for anyone to create a culture that makes it easy for everyone to feel they belong. And I believe it is totally possible for YOU to create a culture in your business, organization, practice, and life, which makes it possible to see the human in all of us.

We have more tools than most at our disposal for creating real and lasting change. We need more of us to be creating safe spaces for other leaders to see and own their stories and perceptions around race.

This does not come from learning all of the buzzwords and putting out the perception of being ‘correct.’ Because the real change starts within - when leaders who care and want to be proud of the environment they are creating are given the tools that actually work to shift themselves and their culture.

There is no band-aid or cookie-cutter model for ‘equity’.

It starts when each individual can get truthful with themselves about their own personal story and lived experience with people who are the same or different from them. It starts when we can EXPERIENCE putting ourselves in another’s shoes. And it starts when we recognize that how we BE in the world sets the tone for what shows up.

If you are nodding your head, this 2-month immersion might be for you!

Finding Human™ is a gateway to a whole new world of equity and knowing deep down that you are making an actual difference, tilling the soil for a welcoming environment that allows any individual to show up as their authentic self and share their gifts with the world. Join me to add this critical tool to your toolkit!

As a result of this work, you can expect LESS WORRY about the environment you are creating, and GREATER CONFIDENCE.

Program Overview:

We’ll be together for two months in this container of support for your transformation as a leader. We’ll meet in 2-hour segments five times during the two months virtually using zoom as our platform. Each class will have a specific action required before the next class. Class size will be limited so we can be connected and create safety and intimacy.

Class 1

LEARN about my IDENTITY

Who am I and where do I come from as it relates to race? (Till the Soil)

Objectives:

• Creating the container and agreements for working together

• What do I want to learn about my identity?

• Who am I and where do I come from as it relates to race?

• Understanding the history and purpose of our work. Why does Race Matter?

• Understanding Self to Understand Others

• Get honest about who you are and who you are not as an individual or company.

Class 2

EXPERIENCE

How has my story shaped my lived experience?

How does it impact my actions and decisions as a leader, business owner, friend and ally?

What is the story I tell with my actions and how does it impact? (Choose the Seeds)

Objectives:

• Clarify the vision for who you want to be as an individual, business or organization leader when it comes to race, equity, and creating a welcoming environment for all.

• Look within as an individual and ask ourselves, “What am I bringing individually to the culture of my work environment or business?”

• Explore the ‘why’ of the current climate around race and racism and get empowered about how to respond to social media or family conversations and ‘the small things’ that lead to bigger things when it comes to race.

Class 3

APPLY

Applying what I have learned about my race story and my vision for creating a commitment to lasting change. (Water the seeds)

Objectives:

• Discover that it is OK to lead from your ‘comfort zone’ and why your comfort zone is actually your friend. We are going to expand it together.

• Infusing your personal magic to develop, your unique way of letting people know they are welcome here.

• An understanding of how to build culture, work with your team, interact with your audience, partners, and more.

Class 4

DISCOVER your WISDOM

What is the true value of my wisdom and how can sharing it further my impact? (Sprout and Grow!)

Objectives:

• How to share what you’ve discovered with your organization, team, family, or online community.

• Confidence in navigating day-to-day conversations around race, and more, such that you never have to steer clear of a topic and can handle it with grace.

• Your personal mission statement that will have a profound impact in your personal life as well. (Deepen your relationships, have more fun at work, connect with your own children, and more).

Class 5

CELEBRATION

Share and celebrate your roadmap and magic and mission! (Harvest)

• Celebrate your success and alignment of who you are and the vision of who you want the world to see.

Leaders and Aspiring Leaders of Color

New dates coming in 2023.

Committed Allies

New dates coming in 2023.

Meet Your Guide

Paula Forbes is a conversation catalyst who guides leaders committed to making meaningful change. She uses a variety of facilitation methods in her workshops to design safe spaces where participants can feel comfortable having tough conversations, and ultimately learn how to move forward in a collaborative way. Her journey as an attorney, consultant, and educator, as well as lived experiences as a Black woman, mother of a Black son, and daughter of a civil rights leader, has shaped her leadership lens and informed so much of what she incorporates into her personal and professional development work. Learn more about Paula.