• Our Vision

    To create an inclusive environment fostering culturally conscious conversations that inspire community growth.

    Our Mission

  • Our Mission

    Educate and engage through workshops, outreach and reflection to increase self-awareness and cultural competence.

    Our Goal
12

Culturally Conscious Conversations

OpenedEyes aims to promote cross-cultural understanding and acceptance through facilitated discussions and workshops.

Over the past nine years, OpenedEyes has worked to enhance cultural competence on an individual, organizational, and systemic level.

Our program employs strategies to increase hope, enhance educational and environmental awareness, and improve community connections.

C31: Understanding Yourself

A competency overview focused on mindfulness from a personal and organizational perspective. Topics of
discussion include self-awareness, trust building, communication, culture, mental health & stress management.

C32: Understanding Your Organization

A cultural competency overview focused on bias from a personal and organizational perspective. Topics of
discussion include bias behavior development, organizational bias, microaggression, stereotypes, inclusivity and
crisis management.

Culture Shock

Understanding how one’s identity and personal experiences can impact their behaviors and perceptions of
others as well as how they are perceived and treated by others.

Power In Privilege

Define and discuss the concept of privilege including its benefits and deficits in society.

Systemic Change

A breakdown of justice, equity/equality, inclusion and methods for effective advocacy for change.

Organizational Wellness

Interventions for employees of all levels to feel heard, understood, represented and safe in order to achieve
positive outcomes for the organization and employee satisfaction.

Servant Leadership

Define and discuss this term with the goal of showing the ways any employee at any level can possess or
develop impactful leadership qualities.

Mental Wellness

A breakdown of mental health considerations to encourage mindful connections at the personal and
professional level.

“The Erie Metropolitan Transit Authority (EMTA) has one of the most diverse work forces in Erie County. Addressing the inevitable challenges that this requires can be daunting. Issues around diversity, equity and inclusion are among the most sensitive that workplaces face. It requires both a deep commitment from the organization and a steady, competent and engaged partner. OpenedEyes is that partner. With the help of OpenedEyes, EMTA provided trainings in Cultural Competence to our 200+ employees, and created the first ever EMTA DEI Committee that includes representation from all EMTA departments, is gender and race balanced, and brings together union and non-union employees to act as catalysts for cultural change. We are now in the third phase of this effort and OpenedEyes is still walking with us providing ongoing and focused leadership development to our DEI Committee. Working with OpenedEyes has been, and continues to be, a great experience and one that I highly recommend.”

“I want to thank OpenedEyes for not only presenting information but creating spaces for much needed dialogue. Our students were able to be candid and vulnerable without fear of judgement. Conversations lead to change; OpenedEyes is doing their part by laying down firm foundations to build those conversation on. I look forward to more Mercyhurst University and OpenedEyes collaborations in the future.”

“Brandon has spoke out our Welcome Day several times now, and there is a reason we bring him back. His message is important and resonates with all our students. Not only that, but he interacts with the students and makes connections with them. He really brings people up out of their seats and has a unique way of making people feel comfortable having a conversation about uncomfortable topics. We find Brandon is the best way to start our Welcome Day, and also be purposeful about the message we are trying to send. As long as Brandon is willing, we will keep bringing him back!”

“As a professional in the Social Work world, I have participated in a lot of DEI trainings and have delivered similar trainings in this space, too. The virtual training provided by OpenedEyes, however, was the best I have seen. The training was comprehensive, engaging, easy-to-follow, and had a good balance of lecture and participation in group activities. Brandon is an excellent presenter and really makes you feel at ease. I highly recommend this organization for any diversity training needs you may have!”

“The OpenedEyes team has a gift for facilitating honest and sensitive conversation about difficult topics.”

“OpenedEyes came and delivered a powerful message to our faculty, staff, and students here at Penn State Shenango. Brandon’s passion and delivery helped provide essential information while maintaining a safe space for our participants to share their personal experiences. OpenedEyes helped facilitate discussions and dialogue that are vital for the growth and development of our campus. We look forward to having the group back to present again.”

“Probably the most valuable assembly program we’ve had here at MPS. Keep up the wonderful work, gentlemen! God bless you.”

“The presenters were extremely knowledgeable and this was one of my favorite sessions because we all became truly engaged.”

“The students really enjoyed the program that was presented by OpenedEyes. Many students opened up about their thoughts about diversity and what it meant to them. It brought awareness among the student body. The presenters were excellent and really related to the students.”

“We feel blessed that we were able to bring OpenedEyes into our school community to help us further our mission of being inclusive, and recognizing the dignity in all persons. OpenedEyes was able to engage the students in both large and small group settings, which provided every student the opportunity to contemplate the information and to respond in a comfortable setting. Our Board of Trustees Chairperson was in the building that day and was enamored with the ease in which Opened Eyes interacted with our students. This is a program that will reward any community willing to participate.”

“This session was very informative. I feel like I am better able to handle situations in a more culturally sensitive manner.”

“I can’t say enough nice things about the team with OpenedEyes! They have helped us at The Nonprofit Partnership as we embark upon the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion journey. They have been imperative to our progress in this realm and I am so grateful for having been connected with Brandon. Whether you need help with a one-time session, an extensive training opportunity or you’re just looking to add a good human or two (or 5?) to your network, OpenedEyes has you covered.”

Community Partners