Is building an inclusive and welcoming culture a priority for your organization? In this 4th session of the MCN Board Training Series: Inclusion and Engagement, Kuma Takamura will explain, how the implicit bias, xenophobia, and cultural incompetence form unconsciously and overcoming these personally is the first step for inclusion and equity for your organization.
As a board member, how can you make your organization truly inclusive? Kuma will lead some exercise/discussion reviewing your organizations current procedures and possibly future improvement.
Event Details
MCN strives to support the learning and growth of the next generation of nonprofit leaders through relevant skill- and vision-building programs that center equity and justice and address historical barriers to participating and leading in the nonprofit sector. In this context, we are offering a limited number of sponsored, free registrations to individuals who have never or are not currently serving on a board of directors. BIPOC and historically underrepresented individuals are encouraged to submit a request. Free registrations will be on a first come, first served basis. Please email Dr. Bradley Wolfe at bwolfe@minnesotanonprofits.org to submit your request to attend the series for free.
This event will have AI captions via Zoom’s transcription function. Please note that these captions are automatically generated by the computer software and may not always accurately transcribe what is said. If you need professional captioning, or have another accessibility accommodation, please email MCN’s program assistant with your request at least two weeks prior to the start of the event. Although we will attempt to meet all accessibility requests, late request may not be fulfilled.
Speaker Information
It was supposed to be a melting pot, but when Kuma Takamura came to the U.S. from Japan in the '80s, what he found was "Chunky Stew." Kuma, as a biologist, an electrical engineer, and an educator, worked in many areas including private sector and higher education system. Everywhere he went he strongly felt diversity was a strength but "we were not tapping into it." Humans are inquisitive and curious beings. Difference triggers fear, but he hopes, with our effort, the curiosity/inquisitiveness will eventually take over and people will start learning each others' differences and start recognizing the power of diversity! Kuma joined the Greater Mankato Diversity staff as the education director in the summer of 2011.