Patricia Leonard is the educational community partner for affinity groups for a high school in Minnesota. She has worked as a corporate Computer Applications trainer, a K-12 educator for 10 years, and higher education for five years. Patricia's recent work provides a step-by-step structure guide for creating affinity groups in high school. These groups include black student union, Asian Student Association, Latino Student Association, Muslim Student Association, Indigenous Student Council, and gender sexual alliance. In working with affinity groups, she has successfully supported and assisted 16 students in securing full scholarships or substantial financial aid packages for college, guided three students in their decision to attend historically black colleges and universities, fostering diversity and representation in higher education, and providing guidance and support to one student who will be joining the armed services, specifically the Navy to pursue their chosen career path. Patricia loves giving back to the community and working with students in assisting them in navigating their journey in the future of their education. 

 

In this episode Dr. Gaye Lang and Patricia Leonard discuss:

• Why companies are trying their best to be inclusive 

• The telltale signs of a truly diverse company 

• The gift that diversity brings to a community or organization 

 

Key Takeaways: 

• Companies today are trying their best to be inclusive and to foster diversity in their company population. One of the main benefits of opening up the doors to inclusivity and diversity is the boost in good employment and employee retention. 

• A company that is truly diverse and inclusive is one that gives opportunities for people of color within the company to create innovative techniques, ask them questions, listen to them, and apply their ideas. 

• Diversity increases innovation, creativity, and strategic thinking, because the teams of people who come from different backgrounds can draw up on their unique experiences, and a wider range of knowledge to spark new and innovative ideas.

 

“Diversity increases innovation, creativity, and strategic thinking.” - Patricia Leonard

 

Connect with Patricia Leonard:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/patricia.leonard.9465/ 

 

Connect with Dr. Gaye Lang:

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KEYWORDS: 

Diversity, inclusion, equity, tolerance, racism, bias, implicit bias, and explicit bias.  

Show notes by Podcastologist: Justine Talla

 

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