CBSA is committed to advancing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in Colorado’s life sciences community to help everyone find their place in our life sciences ecosystem, build diverse and inclusive organizations, and better serve diverse patient populations.

We are pleased to host a series of DEI-focused workshops in June and July. The educational opportunities include a Foundations of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion event and a virtual series with workshops focused on specific topics. We invite all life sciences professionals (CBSA members and non-members) to join one or more of these complimentary virtual events, hosted in partnership with The Equity Project, a leading DEI consulting firm.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Workshops

Foundations of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion | June 16, 2023 | Virtual

Join CBSA and The Equity Project to learn how Foundations of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion aims to provide everyone – regardless of their starting point on their equity journey – with a baseline understanding of basic concepts of DEI so that individuals can begin to understand each term, and how they can become operationalized within organizations and workplaces. This is an opportunity to explore the multi-faceted (and sometimes, complicated) world of diversity, equity, equality, and inclusion in an environment that promotes sharing, learning, and transformation. More Information

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Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Leadership Fundamentals | June + July, 2023 | Virtual Series

Our virtual series includes four dynamic workshops focused on specific topics. Join us for all four sessions, or choose the specific sessions that meet your learning needs.

Session 1 – Exploring Power & Positionality: Examining How Personal Power Shows Up in Conversations About DEI| June 6, 2023 | Virtual

Examining how personal power shows up in conversations about DEI. This workshop will ask participants to examine the concepts of bias, power, and privilege, and the ways in which they manifest in our daily lives. Additionally, participants will engage in activities to understand their own privilege and how it may impact the ways they interact with other people and the systems and institutions of which they are a part. More Information

Session 2 – Microaggressions: No, Where Are You Really From? | June 26, 2023 | Virtual

This session looks at the small, subtle, and more persistent forms of racism and other identity-based acts of exclusion that occur across workplaces, dinner tables, and our everyday lives. Participants will learn what microaggressions are, how to recognize when one is happening, and how to help mitigate for them. More Information

Session 3 – Up for Debate: Unpacking Words and Phrases That Trip People Up | July 11, 2023 | Virtual

In this session, we will dig into the history of words and phrases that are rooted in the “isms” of sexism, racism, ageism, and classism – often with little to no awareness. This session will utilize multiple examples and explore the history attached, to ultimately help you pivot as you move forward through the world. More Information

Session 4 – Reflection and Discussion: How Do We Move Forward with Our Current Understanding of DEI? | July 25, 2023| Virtual

As we continue to learn and expand our understanding of core DEI concepts, we can sometimes find ourselves stuck between learning and action. This discussion-based session will help participants connect the dots between their learnings and the tangible day to day decisions they can make at work, at home, and in society. More Information

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DEI Leadership Roundtable Discussion | July 18 | In Person

In addition to our virtual events, CBSA is hosting an in-person roundtable discussion on DEI in July. Join us for an opportunity to exchange thoughts, ideas, and contribute to CBSA’s DEI initiatives. This is an opportunity to share experiences, learn from each other, cultivate new connections, and support education and awareness. This is an intimate event with limited seats available.

Reach out to Emily Martini, Vice President of Partnerships, if you are interested in learning more.

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Held in partnership with The Equity Project, these workshops are part of CBSA’s multi-year initiative to:

• Assess – Understand perceptions of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion within CBSA and our life sciences community. 
• Identify – Determine how we can collaborate with our life sciences community to embed DEI across CBSA and ecosystem culture, policy, and practices. 
• Integrate – Incorporate the DEI findings and recommendations into our CBSA equity blueprint, which is a cornerstone of our 5-year strategic plan.