Lead for North Carolina Hosts Winter Training on Diversity

On January 17-18, 2020, Lead for North Carolina (LFNC) Fellows and representatives from their host governments convened in Chapel Hill for a winter training on diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility for our state’s local governments. The two-day event is part of LFNC’s ongoing efforts to provide training and growth opportunities for Fellows and jurisdictions participating in the program. Training events seek to cultivate a network within the state where Fellows can share best practices and lessons from their jurisdictions.

“The winter training was a great opportunity to discuss specific projects, opportunities, and challenges in our jurisdictions,” said Fellow Shom Tiwari. “As a result, I returned to Elizabeth City with new perspectives to help enrich the work we do. This sense of community and shared learning is a powerful aspect of the program.”

The training focused on teaching participants how to create intentional spaces where local government employers and employees could discuss strategies to make their workforce more reflective of the residents they serve. Discussions also explored the tangible steps jurisdictions can take to incorporate diverse perspectives in the decision-making process. A case study portion allowed Fellows to apply the lessons from training and create a policy they can implement in their own host communities.

Topics explored in presentations included women in local government leadership; diversity and inclusion in the public sector; and employees, social media, and the First Amendment.

Sessions within the training were presented by School of Government faculty members Leisha DeHart-Davis and Bob Joyce, and Lamar Heyward, Civic Federal Credit Union Senior Vice President of Marketing.

In addition to educational events and reflections with staff members, LFNC partnered with Duke Energy to invite the Fellows to a Carolina Hurricanes hockey game in Raleigh.

Lead for North Carolina recruits the most promising young leaders in the state and provide them with training and placement in fellowships in local governments. The program aims to strengthen public institutions, support local communities, and cultivate a new generation of public service leaders.