ASBURY PARK, NJ — On Friday, April 11, Garden State Equality will bring together business, healthcare, education, nonprofit, advocacy, and public sector professionals, as well as college students and retirees, for its annual Equality at Work Symposium at Bell Works in Holmdel, New Jersey.
“Equality at Work is a diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, and belonging symposium unlike any other,” said Brielle Winslow-Majette (she/her), Deputy Director at Garden State Equality. “Inclusion starts with I, and in light of the attacks on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility, it is more important than ever for our New Jersey companies and organizations to take the first step towards equity. That starts with learning what an inclusive workplace looks like.”
“The workplace covers a multitude of locations, and that includes the classroom and school building. We are excited to be able to bring an educational track to the symposium this year, because for youth, sometimes their only inclusive space is the classroom,” said Justine Evyn Saliski (she/her), Senior Director of Education & Youth Development at Garden State Equality. “We will work as educators and administrators to engage in conversation that fosters the creation and implementation of affirming spaces for all young people, no matter who they are. By creating inclusive spaces for our teachers, they will then teach our youth and future employees, to create the inclusive world we have dreamed of.”
“For all employees, but particularly transgender and non-binary individuals, having a supportive and affirming workplace is crucial to their well-being,” said Layla Orlando (she/her), Director of Health Equity & Wellness at Garden State Equality. “We believe it is imperative to commit to creating a workplace, and cultivating environments where all individuals, regardless of gender identity, can truly thrive.”
“We are excited to introduce a dedicated health and wellness track for this year’s symposium,” Orlando continued. “Participants in this track will learn about various aspects of gender-affirming care, best practices for ensuring LGBTQ+ people feel welcome in healthcare settings, and more.”
Equality at Work, presented by Fiserv, will include four tracks: Corporate, Healthcare, Education, and Young Professionals. A keynote panel of Black and Brown queer and allied women working tirelessly to advance inclusion across industries will headline the symposium. Panelists include:
- Dominique Jackson, model, actress, and author who is best known for her performance as the lead role Elektra in the television show POSE on FX, and a staunch advocate for representation of the trans community.
- Chisa Hutchinson, playwright and screenwriter, whose work forces her audiences to confront topics of social justice and intersectionality, such as her play “She Like Girls,” which featured New Jersey’s fallen soldier Sakia Gunn.
- Shanesia Davis, a Chief Talent Officer and distinguished leadership expert known for developing high-performing teams, fostering strong workplace cultures, and leading transformational change.
- Suffiyah Webb, board-certified pediatric dentist, who operates a private
practice in downtown Newark and believes in the importance of prevention, patient and family education, and total body wellness.
- Marta Esquilin, a social justice educator, higher education administrator, communications expert, and organizational consultant who serves as the Board Chair of CLAGS, the oldest LGBTQ research center in the country.
- Shenelle Brooks, a SHRM-certified HR professional with 10+ years of experience in talent management, recruitment, and has led global DEI strategies for Fortune 500 companies.
“The addition of specific tracks has made it easier to ensure that our participants have a tailor-made experience,” said Winslow-Majette. “This has allowed us to pack the agenda with insightful sessions, including a special ‘Know Your Civil Rights’ presentation by the New Jersey Department on Civil Rights.”
The symposium is set to include workshops, such as:
- Looking Forward and not Going Back
- Right Here, Right Now: Moving Forward with LGBTQIA+ Inclusion in the Classroom and Curriculum
- Inclusive and Strong Leadership: A Path to Better Health Outcomes for the LGBTQ+ Community
- Burned Out and Overwhelmed but Not Broken: Make Your Self-Care Work for You
- Beyond the Binary: Cultivating Gender Inclusive Workplaces, Language Matters
- and much more!
Attendees will also have the opportunity to swing by an all-day offering by Integrated Care Concepts & Consultation, which will be a Wellness Space, a room full of calming activities, comfy seating, no judgment, and good vibes. Participants will also cap off the end of the day with those vibes, by attending a Work Hard & Play Even Harder after symposium event. Participants will be able to “Wind Down,” with drinks, music, and some of your classic games!
Equality at Work is proudly sponsored by Fiserv; Ingredion; Hackensack Meridian Health; Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey; Lyft; PSEG; RWJBarnabas Health; Sills, Cummis, & Gross P.C.; and Jersey Freeze.
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