Program Overview

The Office for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion is excited to announce a free optional employee professional development opportunity for those seeking to learn more about the histories and cultures of California’s diverse communities.

Connected to ODEI’s new Histories in Progress training modules launching this fall, the Community of Interest provides a framework for each of us to learn more about historic forms of exclusion and their manifestations in the present day. Led by professional facilitators and academic subject matter experts, it offers tangible steps for participants to develop individual and collective responses to strengthen inclusion and belonging for all members of the campus community. It also provides practical strategies for how to integrate historically grounded, anti-bias content into communications, events, outreach, professional development, academic curricula, and leadership spaces to create more inclusive environments for learners at all levels.

Having piloted the program last year with a small group of faculty, staff, and postdocs, ODEI is opening up these opportunities to a larger cohort for 2025-2026. This year, we plan to focus on a wide range of topics, including but not limited to:

• Combating antisemitism and supporting Jewish inclusion
• Combating Islamophobia and supporting Muslim inclusion
• Centering African, Black, and Caribbean histories
• Confronting Anti-Asian exclusion and hate
• Celebrating Latine/Chicane voices

All sessions will be offered between 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, during the academic year. Our first Community of Interest sessions will begin on October 21 and October 23 from 12-1:30 pm with Zoom and in-person meeting options. More information will be sent to registrants.