Discover Hispanic Heritage Month activities for workplace fun and learning! In this guide, you'll find ways for your team to…
Akila McConnellSeptember 1, 2023
Rethink diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) training with our highly immersive and engaging DEI sessions. We have:
- 500+ thrilled clients
- led 800+ DEI training sessions
- trained over 44,000+ employees
During your team’s training sessions, you can expect:
- Friendly and knowledgeable facilitators
- Interactive storytelling that delves into important and unflinching history, culture, and concepts
- Impactful topics that embed core DEIA curriculum within each experience
- Live, on-location guides at historic and cultural locations
- Interactive questions throughout the event to teach those concepts
- Experiences designed by historians and DEI educators
- Optional Celebration Boxes shipped to your team members
DEI Training Sessions & Experiences
Unique DEI training sessions loved by teams at Google, The Home Depot, LinkedIn, TripAdvisor, and more!
Black History Month Virtual Team Building
Black History Month
Available in February
DEI Team Building
Discover the roots of Black History Month with stunning art and interactive trivia. Plus, take a live-streamed visit to incredible historic Black neighborhoods in Washington DC and Atlanta.
DEIA Core Learner Concept:
The Impact of the Growth Mindset in Reducing Bias
2
Live-streaming Guides
60
Minutes
Women's History Month Virtual Team Building
She Innovates
Available in March and all year
Women’s History Team Building
Play “historic shark tank” and learn about incredible female innovators in this immersive experience, with character guides who honor historic female inventors, and enjoy a live-streamed visit to Chicago.
DEIA Core Learner Concepts:
Challenging Structural Inequities, Intersectionality
3
Guides
60
Minutes
Learn about AAPI Heritage and Asian American culture and history with this unique event with live-streaming in San Francisco’s Chinatown. Plus, your team will love trivia focused on AAPI representation in movies.
DEIA Core Learner Concepts:
Rejecting Stereotypes, Increased Cultural Sensitivity, Challenging Systemic Inequities
2
Live-streaming Guides
60
Minutes
Play kazoos in your “jam band” while learning the fascinating history of music. And, on this fun DEI event, your team will take a live-streamed visit to Nashville, Tennessee.
DEIA Core Learner Concept:
Cultural Appropriation and Reappropriation
1
Live Streaming Guide
60
Minutes
Learn the powerful history of Juneteenth or Emancipation Day, with live-streaming guides in Texas and Virginia. One of the ten best ways to honor Juneteenth – Lonely Planet!
DEIA Core Learner Concepts:
Rejecting Stereotypes, Reclaiming History, Allyship
2
Live-streaming Guides
60
Minutes
Trace how LGBTQIA+ individuals have always been an important part of our American history, with live-streams from historic gay neighborhoods in New York City and San Francisco.
DEIA Core Learner Concept:
Unity Strengthens Impact
2
Live-streaming Guides
60
Minutes
Hispanic and Latinx Heritage Month Virtual Team Building
Hispanic and Latiné Heritage Month
Available in September and October
DEI Team Building
Celebrate Hispanic and Latiné Heritage in this fun and mesmerizing event with live streaming guides in St. Augustine, Florida, and Austin, Texas. Plus, learn about the impact of Latinx music on American culture.
DEIA Core Learner Concepts:
Authenticity and Increased Representational Diversity
2
Live-streaming Guides
60
Minutes
South American Holiday Virtual Team Building
South American Holiday
Available all year
Holiday Team Building
Take a virtual travel tour to South America with live guides! Explore the incredible Machu Picchu, one of the Wonders of the World, and the holiday markets in Cusco, Peru. This unique event will mesmerize your team.
2
Live Guides
60
Minutes
Spark your team’s creativity with street art activities. Learn the history of different art form, with a focus from Black artists. Plus, get a live-streamed visit to a popular street art location.
2
Breakout Rooms
60
Minutes
Indigenous Month Virtual Team Building
Indigenous and Native American Heritage
Available in November
DEI Team Building
Discover Indigenous history and culture in this fascinating and impactful event that covers far more than you ever learned before. Plus, a Native American scholar will showcase the Indigenous side of the French Quarter of New Orleans.
2
Live-streaming Guides
60
Minutes
As Seen In
Use the Table of Contents below to jump down and explore more topics!
- Why Does DEI Training Matter?
- Why Choose Unexpected Virtual Tours & Training?
- What is DEI Training?
- What’s the Most Successful Type of DEI Training?
- The Goals of Diversity Training
- The Importance of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Workplace
- What are the Benefits of Workplace DEI Initiatives?
- How to Make Diversity Training More Effective
- Next Steps for Your DEI Training
- FAQs About Diversity and Inclusion Virtual Events
- DEI Training Resources
Why Does DEI Training Matter?
Embracing diversity, equity, and inclusion at work can bring profound impacts for your employees and your business.
DEI training helps employees feel they belong, boosts your bottom line, drives recruiting and retention, and leads to a more connected culture.
According to GlassDoor, 76% of job seekers say a diverse workforce is important when evaluating companies and job offers. Moreover, McKinsey found that ethnically diverse companies are 36% more likely to financially outperform their national industry median.
Why Choose Unexpected Virtual Tours and Training?
- #1-rated DEI training events featured in The New York Times, Forbes, and The Guardian.
- Research-backed training, built using the latest industry-class research on leadership training and DEI effectiveness.
- Engaging and immersive sessions with knowledgeable facilitators.
- Certified Woman-Owned Small Business.
- Certified Minority Business Enterprise by the National Minority Supplier Development Council.
- 400+ hours of research and development for a 1-hour program.
- 8+ years of team building & training excellence.
- 3 published historians on staff with 50 years combined research experience, specializing in underrepresented communities.
- Intentionally inclusive, anti-racist corporate values.
Trusted By the World’s Leading Companies
What is DEI Training?
DEI training (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Training) refers to initiatives that aim to create a more diverse, welcoming, affirming, and equitable work environment. From educational workshops to expert panels, lunch and learn sessions, exciting game activities, and more – there are many creative ways to make DEI training both fun and educational!
In today’s workplace, diversity training for employees can build feelings of connection and empathy, resulting in stronger teams that can work more comfortably together.
There are a variety of DEI methods, best practices, and strategies to keep in mind when launching or continuing your program. Read on to learn more, discover resources, and browse frequently asked questions!
The Goals of Diversity Training
Build Mutual Respect & Belonging
Ensuring employees feel respected, included, and welcomed is a cornerstone of a positive and productive environment.
DEI training that builds mutual respect and belonging can boost employee well-being while also promoting collaboration, new ideas, and a culture that embraces what makes us each unique.
Drive Retention & Recruitment
DEI training sessions and programs can help companies identify and fix inequities and challenges – which can lead to higher retention and stronger recruitment.
After all, Harvard shares that 7 in 10 workers say they’d be upset by a microagression – and half said the action would make them consider leaving their job.
Boost Your Bottom Line
Many companies are interested in the positive impacts that DEI initiatives can have on business productivity and growth.
In fact, Forbes reports that companies with diverse workforces are 2x as likely to meet or exceed their financial goals!
Spark Creativity & Collaboration
Engaging with diverse perspectives can open employees up to new worlds of thought, sparking innovative ideas.
Because DEI training can entail healthy vulnerability and personal connections, employees may also feel more empathy and trust for each other, leading to more seamless collaboration on future projects.
What’s the Most Successful Type of Diversity Training?
When it comes to DEI training techniques, there are many possible methods to explore. One type many people are familiar with is “unconscious bias training.” Developed in the 1970s, this type of training focuses on recognizing the internal biases we all hold. While unconscious bias training can be helpful for assessing bias and building a vocabulary of DEI concepts, research shows it’s not the most effective way to make a long-term impact.
In fact, a meta-analysis of 40 years of diversity training evaluations found that the most successful sessions increase attendees’ knowledge of different minority communities. Known as “cultural competence training,” this method has been consistently found to result in a more inclusive and empathetic workplace.
Cultural competence training (sometimes called cultural consciousness training) centers the history, culture, triumphs, and challenges of a representative group.
At Unexpected Virtual Tours & Training, we’re honored to offer a variety of cultural competence training programs. Our DEI programs delve into the successes and the roadblocks faced by historically marginalized groups using interactive, data-backed learning approaches with a focus on fun and historical accuracy. Tying historical lessons to pop culture trivia, artistic challenges, live-streamed virtual field trips, and other engaging activities can help boost engagement and further reinforce key concepts.
The Importance of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Workplace
Diversity, equity, and inclusion hold immense significance in today’s professional landscape. Beyond being mere buzzwords, these principles are integral when it comes to creating a strong, sustainable organization.
At the heart of many DEI programs is the recognition that diversity fosters innovation and creativity. By embracing what makes us each unique, welcoming diversity of thought, and amplifying the voices of historically underrepresented people, we can open ourselves to new concepts and solutions. Diversity-driven innovation can fuel growth and revenue while also helping to position your company as one that embraces new perspectives and approaches to problem-solving.
In addition to diversity, efforts toward greater equity help ensure fairness in the workplace and reduce disparities. By ensuring equal opportunities for all employees, companies can help level the playing field, empower employees to succeed, and contribute to a more just society.
Finally, an inclusive workplace cultivates a sense of respect and safety among workers. When individuals feel valued and heard, their on-the-job effort and happiness can increase, leading to improved retention and morale. Additionally, companies that see value in inclusion may be more likely to consider diverse customer groups, uses, and needs when considering their offerings.
Aside from being the right thing to do, championing DEI initiatives can also be legally mandated in some cases. Be mindful of local and national laws regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion standards as well as nondiscrimination laws.
Featured Training Session
Hispanic and Latinx Heritage Month Virtual Team Building
Hispanic and Latiné Heritage Month
DEI Team Building
Celebrate Hispanic and Latiné Heritage in this fun and mesmerizing event with live streaming guides in St. Augustine, Florida, and Austin, Texas. Plus, learn about the impact of Latinx music on American culture.
What Are the Benefits of Workplace DEI Initiatives?
Build Connections & Reduce Bias
Diversity training in the workplace helps team members understand each other’s differences and our own biases. This can lead to stronger relationships and fewer conflicts and miscommunications. The Equality and Human Rights Commission found that unconscious bias training can effectively reduce bias when done properly. Through DEI training, foster a more inclusive environment where problem solving and decision making are done based on merit, not preconceived notions.
Attract Top-Notch Talent
When potential employees see that your company makes diversity a priority, they’re more likely to choose your organization over others. According to the Pew Research Center, most workers say focusing on DEI at work is a good thing – and Glassdoor found that 32% of workers wouldn’t even apply to a job at a company that lacks workforce diversity!
Higher Revenue
MarketWatch puts it simply: “The numbers don’t lie: diverse workforces make businesses more money.” In fact, they report that diverse companies have cash flows 2.3x higher than their less diverse counterparts. Furthermore, diverse companies are 70% more likely to capture new markets.
New Ideas & Innovations
DEI training encourages employees to bring their unique perspectives and experiences to the table, creating an environment where innovation and creativity are welcome. FastCompany shares how diverse teams can adapt to changes more easily, draw inspiration from different places, reduce groupthink, spark open-mindedness, and more.
Happier Employees
DEI training can lead to a more inclusive workplace culture where employees feel supported and valued. This can lead to higher employee engagement as well as reduced stress, greater work-life balance, and increased feelings of happiness at work and home.
How to Make Diversity Training More Effective
Don’t just tick a corporate box with your diversity, equity, and inclusion programs – instead, use the tips below to ensure initiatives have real, long-lasting impacts. Whether you’re working through roadblocks in your DEI training or looking for ways to take your training to the next level – here are a few best practices to keep in mind!
Ensure Leadership Commitment
Ensuring company leadership sees DEI initiatives as a priority is crucial in setting the tone for organizational change. When leaders actively champion DEI programs, they demonstrate the company’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion and motivate others to participate and get excited, too.
Create a Safe Space for Discussions
When employees can share their thoughts, ideas, and concerns without fear of judgement, it fosters open dialogue and deeper understanding. Rely on HR professionals and external consultants when needed to help navigate potentially difficult conversations.
Integrate DEI into Daily Work Practices
Building a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace is a year-round endeavor comprised of daily interactions. To find DEI training ideas and best practices for all year long, browse our Diversity Team Building Calendar blog post (with a free downloadable calendar!)
Measure the Impact of Diversity Training
There are a variety of ways to measure the impact of your diversity training. Set up an anonymous online survey, or track metrics related to pay equity, diversity in hiring, participation in DEI activities, or other stats. Above all, listen to employee feedback – especially from historically underrepresented people and groups – to shape future programs and initiatives.
Next Steps for Your DEI Training
After learning what DEI training is all about and why it matters, we hope you feel confident and equipped to move forward in creating or building upon your company’s DEI initiatives. With some thoughtful planning and teamwork, your DEI efforts can lead to big impacts for employees’ well-being and your company’s fiscal health.
Take the next step to learn more, schedule a virtual DEI training session, or reach out to us below with questions!
Reach out to learn more
(We respond quickly!)
FAQs
About Diversity and Inclusion Virtual Events
Are these events diversity training?
Unexpected Virtual Tours does not offer generic diversity training. Instead, we offer live, interactive diversity experiences that embed DEI training concepts.
In other words, your employees will WANT to attend our diversity events!
Most diversity training fails because employees aren’t engaged. As a result, they don’t retain the information and put it into practice. In contrast to this, our activity based diversity experiences get your team responding, creating, and collaborating.
Our DEI sessions are designed to help your team consider perspectives and lived experiences that may be outside their own. For example, our Music Evolution experience shares these diversity training topics:
- appropriation and re-appropriation in music
- collaboration and collective strength
- musicians who fought against discrimination
But, the session explores these themes through engaging, interactive music activities. In addition, your team will get a deep look at the African American influence on American music history.
In summary, your teams won’t realize that they are learning these concepts when they are focused on participating in a memorable shared experience!
How does your team write the history for the DEI events?
Unexpected Virtual Tours has three historians on our staff. Our historians focus on:
- food history
- the histories of BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and people of color) people in America
- music history
- race and social justice
As such, we never use Wikipedia research. Instead, our historians use original source documents.
In fact, it takes our historians around 140 hours to research a 1-hour virtual team building experience!
What Can I Expect From Virtual DEI Events?
Are these diversity events "boring" or "preachy?"
Unexpected Virtual Tours’ events never preach and they are designed to boost employee engagement and interaction!
First, each virtual team building experience focuses on expanding your team’s knowledge through fun, interactive activities. For example, your experience may include trivia, a craft activity, a live tour of a historic site, and fun challenges.
Secondly, each experience amplifies the stories of marginalized people. For example, our Juneteenth virtual experience shares the deep, somber history of Emancipation in the United States. Our historians spent more than 350 hours researching and developing this hour-long experience.
The content you’ll experience with Unexpected Virtual Tours is radically engaging. Our programs are presented by our expert studio guides and live-streaming guides. They can answer your team’s questions in real-time and help guide activities while sharing valuable knowledge.
Allyship is a corporate value embedded throughout your event. As a result, team members leave the experience excited to promote allyship in their own company and their community.
Are these diversity events political in nature?
Our interactive virtual events do not focus on politics or share any political leaning.
Our diversity and inclusion virtual events are meant for everyone across the political spectrum.
Instead, Unexpected Virtual Tours focuses on sharing the history as it happened.
Fortunately, we have multiple historians on staff who thoroughly research and write each of our programs. Our staff members focus on sharing history lessons in a way that is truthful, engaging, and memorable. As a result, your team will have a valuable learning experience while also building connections with each other.
Who Are Diversity Team Building Events For?
Will our corporate teams appreciate the DEI events?
Unexpected Virtual Tours provides virtual events for companies of all sizes and industries. In fact, many of the Fortune 100 companies we work with have a dedicated DEI staff.
Regardless of your size, our approach is the same. We create accessible and inclusive virtual programming that enhances your corporate goals. Specifically, we do NOT provide boring mandatory diversity training, nor do we preach.
Instead, our events are research-based, with the goal of entertaining and educating your team. Research from Harvard University has found that the most effective diversity programs spark employee engagement. We believe in interactive, hands-on virtual experiences that get everyone laughing and participating.
For example, groups love learning about music history during our Music Evolution experience. Then, our live guides discuss the DEI themes of appropriation and collaboration. We explore the fun parts of music history as well as important information about diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Are these events just for people of color or for LGBTQIA+ employees? Will I feel uncomfortable attending as a white person or a heterosexual person?
People of all races, orientations, and backgrounds are welcome and included at our virtual team building events.
First, Unexpected Virtual Tours’ events are truly inclusive. Each experience will have expert guides of different races and ethnicities. And, most importantly, there is no “us vs. them” mentality.
For example, our events are for everyone who loves food, history, and fun knowledge.
Here’s a testimonial from one of our clients:
“HIGHLY recommend for team building and educational experiences! All are incredibly smart, effective story-tellers and historians. My whole team learned so much and left feeling energized and informed.”
DEI Training Resources
Browse our library of blog topics for more resources, ideas, and best practices! From virtual diversity and inclusion activities to posts on the importance of diversity in the workplace and how to create DEI training programs – we’ve got you covered!
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Rhys HavensAugust 22, 2023
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Akila McConnellAugust 7, 2023
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