Launching Our Second Shared Learning Cohort

Building More Racially Inclusive & Just Organizations

Guest Speakers Duron Chavis and Sheri Shannon join VCN’s first DEIJ Shared Learning Cohort

Apply to the Cohort

Our Shared Learning Cohort provides VCN Partners with a space to recognize, explore, and address the diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice (DEIJ) inherent to our environmental community. With returning mentorship from Ebony Walden, a leader on DEIJ in organizations, the Cohort’s educational program is crafted to allow participants to:

  • Discuss topics such as identity, privilege, microaggressions, allyship, and equitable hiring;
  • Explore and address the effects of white dominant culture and implicit bias on the environmental community;
  • Discuss the building blocks of authentic allyship
  • Evaluate their organization’s culture, programs, and policies on measures of DEIJ;
  • Develop or improve upon their organization’s DEIJ framework; and more.

In addition, each participant presents the DEIJ challenges & opportunities within their own organization to spark discussion and feedback from other cohort members. These breakouts provide a space for participants in different stages of their DEIJ assessment process to learn from each other.

“This is an accessible, comprehensive series that approaches inclusion and equity in environmental spaces with thoughtfulness and compassion. It’s given me a roadmap for how to begin conversations and take action in my organization.”

Leslie A. Clements (she/her), Virginia Aquarium

“I learned a lot from the materials and the other participants, a thoughtful, intentional group of people.”

Nancy Stoner, President, Potomac Riverkeeper Network

“Learning from expert facilitators and peer organizations as we are implementing changes over the course of a year allowed us to vet our ideas and accelerate their implementation. Thank you, VCN for providing this critical opportunity.”

Susan Kruse, Executive Director, Community Climate Collaborative

Join the Shared Learning Cohort Series

The Cohort is intended for staff, board members, and lead volunteeres of VCN Network Partners, no more than one representative per organization. Space is limited – we can accept up to 30 Cohort members. Those who are not accepted to the 2023 program will be the first ones invited to the 2024 DEIJ Shared Learning Cohort.

The Cohort will meet on the second Wednesday of each month from 9:30-11:30 AM. Participation will require at least one hour of preparation per month, such as pre-reading or watching a video. Participants must commit to attending 8 of 10 meetings starting March 8th through December 2023. These meetings will be held primarily over Zoom, with at least two optional in-person meetings.

As you can see, this program is a significant time commitment that reflects the significant work we have to do to embed principles of equity and justice in our organizations. We want to be transparent with the time commitment and expectations for all who apply.

Think you are a good fit for our DEIJ Shared Learning Cohort? Apply to be a Cohort member by February 17th!

Apply to the Cohort