Culturally Conscious Conversations 1: 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.

Culturally Conscious Conversations 2: 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: Equity vs. Equality vs. Justice

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 Health & Wellness

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

Culturally Conscious Consulting

At OpenedEyes, we understand the transformative power of cultural consciousness in fostering thriving, inclusive workplaces. Our Culturally Conscious Consulting services are designed to empower organizations to navigate complex cultural landscapes with confidence, empathy, and understanding.

Whether you’re looking to improve team dynamics, increase employee wellness, or develop a more inclusive leadership style, our consulting services are tailored to meet the unique needs of your organization.

Why Culturally Conscious Consulting?

In today’s diverse and interconnected world, cultural competency isn’t just a “nice-to-have” — it’s a necessity. Companies that embrace cultural consciousness:

  • Foster inclusive environments where all employees feel valued
  • Build stronger teams with enhanced communication and collaboration
  • Increase employee retention
  • Enhance organizational resiliency and adaptability

Our Approach

We specialize in facilitating Culturally Conscious Conversations, dynamic, action-oriented sessions that engage participants in meaningful dialogue about topics critical to inclusivity and wellness. With a focus on creating sustainable change, our consulting process includes:

  1. Assessment & Analysis: We evaluate your organization’s current practices, challenges, and opportunities.
  2. Customized Training & Workshops: Tailored sessions that address your team’s unique needs and goals.
  3. Strategic Solutions: Practical tools and strategies for implementing lasting change in policies, practices, and culture.
  4. Ongoing Support: We offer continued coaching and resources to ensure progress is sustainable.

Transformational Change Program

The OpenedEyes Culturally Conscious Conversations initiative is tailored to facilitate meaningful dialogues that promote understanding, empathy, and inclusivity across diverse cultures and perspectives. Through open forums, workshops, and interactive sessions, this platform fosters a deeper appreciation for cultural diversity, encourages respectful discourse on sensitive topics, and cultivates a more inclusive environment where individuals feel valued and heard. By embracing cultural awareness and promoting cross-cultural communication, these conversations strive to bridge divides, foster connections, and promote harmony within communities and organizations

The Transformational Change Program can be tailored for all organizations big and small to cover the following topics:

C3-1: Understanding Yourself

C3-2: Understanding Your Organization

Culture Shock

Power in Privilege

Systemic Change: Equity vs. Equality vs. Justice

Organizational Wellness

Servant Leadership

Mental Health & Wellness

Leadership Series

The OpenedEyes Leadership Series is meticulously crafted to empower individuals with the knowledge, skills, and mindset essential for effective leadership in today’s dynamic world. Through a combination of insightful lectures, interactive workshops, and real-world case studies, the series aims to cultivate transformative leadership qualities, foster strategic thinking, and inspire innovative approaches to tackling challenges. Whether aspiring leaders or seasoned executives, participants can expect to gain invaluable insights and practical tools to navigate complexities, drive organizational success, and lead with vision and authenticity.

The Leadership Series will guide your aspiring and seasoned leaders to consider growth in the following areas:

Creating Inclusive Spaces

Community Engagement

Measuring Culturally Conscious Progress

Inclusive Hiring Practices and Language

Inclusive Leadership

Strategic Planning

The Lens Program

LENS is a self-reflective model that encourages participants to acknowledge their understanding of self, their diverse community, and the world.

LENS creates a safe space for participants to broaden their thinking and enhance cultural competence.

The LENS program is mainly geared towards our children & youth populations and covers the following topics:

Perception

Understanding myself and my thoughts, and how that influences how I see and interact with others.

Areas of Focus:

  • Identity
  • Culture

Active Communication

Communicating and behaving with awareness to encourage healthy relationships.

Areas of Focus:

  • Active Listening
  • Healthy Group Communication Patterns

Resiliency

Overcoming and adapting to big and small experiences or challenges.

Areas of Focus:

  • Behavior Adaptation Skills

What Are People Saying?

“Erie Insurance has partnered with OpenedEyes for several years to continue to build a vibrant and inclusive community for our employees. Our work with OpenedEyes focuses on creating meaningful dialogue and broadening our perspectives on important topics like workplace bias, microaggressions, mindfulness best practices, and enhancing cultural competency with leaders and employees. We look forward to collaborating with OpenedEyes on new engagements and efforts in the future and encourage others to explore the wide range of services they offer.”

“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!”

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

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

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

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

“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.”

“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.”

“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.”

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.”

What Do You Get When You Book Us?

When booking OpenedEyes for programming, you will receive the following services:

  • Consultation meeting
  • Workplace Culture Assessment
  • A tailored program to meet your organizational needs
  • Post-assessment Detailed analysis of the program
  • Six-month follow up

OpenedEyes will be in your corner for six months for any questions or needs that may arise.

Please note that all of our trainings are capable of online interaction through the use of Zoom or any other online platform.