DIVERSIFY

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Providing workshops that are light, direct, accessible, and interactive; eliminating the silencing and fears that get in the way of truly exploring diversity issues.

. "Education is the most powerful weapon
which you can use to change the world." - Nelson Mandela -

about

The company

“Elephant in the room” is an English metaphorical idiom for an obvious truth that is going unaddressed. It also applies to an obvious problem or risk no one wants to discuss.

Based on the idea that an elephant in a room would be impossible to overlook, this further implies that people in the room who are not addressing the elephant have chosen to avoid the looming big issue.

The Elephant In The Room Diversity Trainings is committed to addressing these looming big issues.

About Rich

RICH RUSSO - Founder

Utilizing his background as an educator and certified counselor, Rich Russo has been facilitating conversations on issues related to diversity for over 15 years. He has worked with a wide variety of groups in non-profit organizations, schools, universities, detention centers, museums, and corporations.

Core Values

Honor

Honoring all experiences, inclusive of past and present personal experiences; as well as historical contexts

Accessibility

Meeting people where they are; presenting material in ways that are accessible – ensuring everyone is able to participate in the conversation

Education

Acknowledging, exploring, and addressing ‘invisible’ aspects relating to diversity issues: such as societal and systematic elements, privilege, etc.

Advocacy

Dissuading the shaming and blaming that can be associated with conversations of diversity issues, while encouraging accountability, responsibility, and advocacy

Testimonials

“Absolutely appreciated his approach! Very comfortable/casual, non-judgmental, and very knowledgeable! He really fit into our organization!”

Human Resource Coordinator

“This was one of the most interactive, fun, and soul-stirring seminars I have attended!”

Business Assistant

“Rich was awesome! Very enjoyable. He made a difficult topic fun to explore.”

Lead Dental Assistant

“Before attending, I was dreading having ‘diversity training’ and broke out in a sweat because I thought it was going to be ‘another one of those kinds’ of trainings. I was very pleasantly surprised. This training exceeded my expectations.”

Dental Assistant

. “It is time for parents to teach young people early on that in diversity
there is beauty and there is strength.” - Maya Angelou -

Sample Workshop

The Elephant In The Room Diversity Trainings’ programs are fine-tuned for each specific groups’ needs and driven by the unique interaction with each groups’ participants; thus no two programs are exactly alike.

Rich Russo is a facilitator in the truest sense; the word “facilitate” means to make easier or to help bring about. This is what Rich does in his standard program designed for 20 – 30 participants. Not your standard everyone-sits-in-rows-watching-a-slide-show kind of presentation… this dynamic training’s non-threatening environment utilizes small group activities, games, and group discussions.

“Let’s cover the basics, first.”

We develop common language for our conversations about issues related to diversity; and engage in discussions on core diversity issues and principles.

“Where do I fit into all of this?

We look at our own identities and how they form who we are and how we interact with – and within – our surroundings

“I didn’t mean it like that!”

We explore the power of words and actions, and become better equipped for creating stronger, more authentic, connections across our diversity.

Get in touch!

. “When we enlarge our view of the world,
we deepen our understanding of our own lives." - Yo-Yo Ma -

contact

GET IN TOUCH

Have questions? I’d love to hear from you!

CONTACT INFO

650 Castro Street Suite 120-301
Mountain View, CA 94041,

323-TEITRDT | (323) 834-8738

rich.russo(at)TEITRDT.org