CareFirst partners with Electives to deliver week-long DEI training

The opportunity:

CareFirst wanted to create a week-long conference, available to both in-person and remote employees in real-time, that touched on a broad range of DEI topics in a way that was relatable and actionable.

The solution:

CareFirst, in partnership with Electives, hosted a Week of Equity & Action for their employees and community members to learn from experts on the topics of diversity, equity and inclusion. 

During the week-long event, CareFirst employees discussed actionable themes from Electives instructors who are all real people sharing their real-life stories and leadership experiences. Themes included:

Be an ally.

With Stephanie Castellanos, talent + leadership expert and decolonizing educator

Stephanie (she/her/ella) discussed how being an ally is no longer enough in the workplace. Instead, it’s time to act in ways that show greater support for minorities in the workplace.

Consider how you can create greater inclusion.

With Olympian Simidele “Simi” Adeagbo, first Nigerian Winter Olympian, advocate and speaker 

Simi (she/her) discussed ways to listen, learn and act in the workplace. Simi encouraged employees to think about how they can drive inclusivity forward. “Inclusion is more than the diversity agenda for your company, but something you can drive forward because you have skin in the game.” Then she asked attendees: “What can we do in the spaces we occupy to move inclusion forward?”

Know how your identity defines you.

Eldridge Gilbert, educator, leader + DEI facilitator

Eldridge (he/him) shared his own personal experiences as a Black male. “My race is very salient for me, when I am the only black person in a space, I feel disempowered and I am conscious of what I am going to say. When there are several people of color, I feel more relaxed.” Eldridge also shared an important message that highlights the need for a diverse workforce. “Identity can influence our expectations in the workplace. Your identity or background can drive what you think respect looks and sounds like at work.” 

Acknowledge and affirm other people’s identities.

Julian Damore, DEI advocate + people ops professional

Julian (they/them) advocated for actions that ensure a safe workplace culture for employees across the gender spectrum. They shared a personal experience: “People have intentionally used my dead name or not used my pronouns they/them. It’s hurtful. When we use a person's preferred name and pronouns appropriately, we are acknowledging and affirming their identity as valid.” 

Be inclusive.

Trish Foster, DEI change agent + energy healer

DEI work within a company takes a lot of effort but when done correctly, employees will see the ROI and benefits, explained Trish (she/her) during her session. “Leading through an intersectional lens,” encourages leaders to be inclusive in their thoughts. “An inclusive leader provides employees with what they need to succeed. Employees in inclusive cultures are happier.”

Rethink language about mental health.

Alexi Pappas, Olympic runner, award-winning actor + writer

Alexi (she/her) shared her mental health struggles and encouraged attendees to rethink language and the way we talk about mental health. She also shared the concept of “willpower budgeting.” Alexi said, “Willpower is a finite, depletable source. Think about what drains your willpower and what fills up your cup. Recognize what you’re doing and understand how it affects your body.”

Study American history.

Chelsey Luger, Indigenous wellness advocate + author

Chelsey (she/her) taught a session on Indigenous history and wellbeing. To honor and serve individuals from Native communities, it is critical that we know the true history of our land and how Native Peoples were treated through history and are still treated today. Throughout her session, Chelsey emphasized that many elements of this framework aren’t unique to Native American culture. Chelsey shared, “Knowing your history is key to accepting yourself today and making sure your kids will be proud of their backgrounds.”

Learn from others.

Jeff Rogers, executive coach + facilitator

Jeff (he/him) explained, “Humans ache to belong to, and to be accepted by, a tribe.” We are social creatures who drive when we are accepted into a group and a community. Jeff shared his experiences struggling to belong in a Black or White tribe. We need to learn from others’ perspectives of how their identity can impact their sense of belonging but also broaden our notion of “tribes” so that others can feel included.

Take the time to get to know people.

Dan Cnossen, gold-medal Paralympian + former SEAL platoon commander

Dan (he/him) told his story of serving and leading in Afghanistan. During a nighttime mission, Dan stepped on an IED and suffered extreme injuries. After waking up 10 days later from a medically induced coma, Dan realized that both of his legs had been amputated above the knee. Dan told stories of doctors and supporters who were “on the clock” compared to others who deeply cared. After Dan’s injury, his identity changed. He learned over time how important it is to “take the time to get to know people who do not look, think, or act like you.” Dan explained that this “will lead to mindset shifts and changes to your thinking. This will have profound implications for growth and action.”

Create safe spaces.

Ruth Rathblott, disability advocate + inclusion expert

Ruth (she/her) shared a personal story about her invisible difference, “When I was 13 on the school bus going to the first day of school, I decided to hide my limb difference. I never thought I would hide for 25 years. But the truth is we are all ‘hiding’ something - whether it’s a visible or invisible difference.” To be better in the workplace, Ruth encouraged CareFirst employees to ask instead of assume. Create a safe environment so employees can feel liberated sharing their stories.

Speak up.

Monica D. Livingston, educator, business owner, speaker + athlete

Monica (she/her) inspired attendees to “say something when you see something.” Difficult conversations and advocating for others is hard, and at times, it’s even harder to advocate for ourselves. Monica (she/her) explains that “we need to get connected with others by going from comfort to courage. comfort is disconnection.” The truth is that we are socialized in a biased culture; and stereotypes permeate our society. “We are taught things through the media and our society about all people. What we have to realize is that this hurts us all.” Monica encouraged CareFirst employees to advocate and influence through action: “I really believe that in order to change behavior in this country, we need to have a conversation. It starts with a conversation.”

Engage in difficult conversations.

Coach AK Ikwuakor, athlete, entrepreneur, educator + strategic storyteller

Coach AK (he/him) challenged CareFirst employees to engage in conversations even they are not experts, because the only way to learn is to understand someone else’s perspective. Coach AK shared, “Expertise is subjective and is under attack. Facts don’t change our minds; feelings do. Feeling merely justifies the logic we are already aligned to.” So instead of digging into our feelings and getting defensive, take time to listen to a different opinion. “When there is a difference of opinions, the goal of winning [in a debate] should be replaced with the goal of understanding the other person.”

Understand everyone’s unique needs.

Anthony “Thosh” Collins, photographer + board member for Native Wellness Institute

Thosh (he/him) highlighted the importance of actively consulting with the communities we are serving. And with that, we need to understand the cultural norms and differences of such people. Thosh implores us to take time to listen to the patients’ perspectives. “Are [you] reaching out for feedback to those people who are asking to switch providers? Do you know the reason why they are switching?” For example, Thosh encouraged the CareFirst staff to understand social determinants of health and think through how that is challenging Native Peoples from receiving appropriate and successful care. All in all, make sure that you are talking to your customers to understand their unique needs.

Remember you have skin in the game.

Dr. Susi Ferradas, professor + psychologist

Susi (she/her/ella) emphasized the importance of advocacy, explaining how everyone has skin in the game to advocate for different roles and perspectives. “One of the values of the Latinx community is that we are collectivistic, so supporting and helping one another is ingrained in the community,” explained Susi. Additionally, she said that part of advocacy is understanding why a patient would look for a specific provider. “I found myself looking for providers who were an ethnic and linguistic match in order to feel valued and understood.” Towards the end of the panel, Susi made a simple yet powerful statement connecting empathetic care to mental and physical health, to cultural connection: “if every provider could simply ask each patient how their day is going, it would make a huge difference. This has been proven to change how people feel safe and welcomed in a space.”

Think about those who are left behind.

Dr. Cheri Blauwet, sports medicine physician

Cheri (she/her) reminded CareFirst employees to think about those they are leaving behind. She explained that often, in her role as a disabled Harvard Professor and Physician at Mass General Brigham, she has to be the squeaky wheel for patients who are disabled. But not everyone is as comfortable speaking up. “One of the most important measures of success in healthcare,” noted Cheri, “is developing a system where culturally everyone feels welcomed.”

Create justice medicine.

Rabbi Michael Lezak, social justice rabbi + expert in inclusive religion, reconciliation and human rights

Rabbi Lezak (he/him) encouraged CareFirst employees to value their differences, be inclusive and respect everyone. He asked attendees to think about how their actions can make things better, how they can build systems that help our society rise again, and how they can build connections with others even when there are differences. Rabbi Lezak asked, “When was the last time you brought cookies to the people who voted differently than you?” He concluded with, “This is the medicine we need in America. Justice medicine. Medicine that will bring hopefulness to our society.”

The results:

Following the week-long event, Joe Levin-Manning, Program Manager of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, shared, “Electives consists of a team that is able to deliver and knock it out of the park while doing it. Our organization has been inspired, motivated and touched in countless ways from our partnership with Electives on our Week of Equity and Action.

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