BOISE, Idaho — Boise State's Blue Sky Institute is hosting its 9th annual Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Summit, Tuesday Nov. 7.
Organizers of the summit said workplaces and schools are doing a better job promoting diversity, but there's still a long way to go to achieve true inclusion.
"The work can be very uncomfortable, and really challenging for some people to step outside of their comfort zone," organizer Cameela Cruz said.
For the Blue Sky Institute, this is a conversation that needs to be had.
"Sometimes that creates some emotions, because there is going to be some differing values and different beliefs,” said Adan de La Paz, one of the workshop facilitators at the summit. “So, if we can have healthy and effective ways to manage conflict, we're going to have a better community."
Cruz said the work of hosting the event has not been easy.
"One of the biggest challenges that I would identify is really getting everybody together and trying to get everyone in the same room,” Cruz said. “Trying to get everyone to work together, have conversations and have civil discourse."
The events goal is to bring together different types of organizations to help create a more inclusive space within workplaces in Idaho. Topics covered included ethnicity and race, ability and disability and intergenerational diversity.
Cruz said, an event like this is important because of how much Idaho is growing and changing.
“The demographic of Idaho is changing, there's no denying that,” Cruz said. "It's evolving, but don't be resistant to the change."
An immersive museum style exhibit was added this year to have people explore the history of diversity and change in Idaho.
“We've taken four different categories; the economy, workplace, education, and just culture as a whole," Cruz said. "It's really an opportunity to show where Idaho has been and also where we're going."
Cruz said, these summits not only help educate organizations on how to create a more inclusive and safer environment in the workplace, but it also helps businesses retain talent and help in the recruiting process.
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