A couple of weeks ago, I participated in what I think is the best formalized organizational diversity experience in my working career.

The session was held at the Greater Twin Cities United Way, my current employer.  It was an interactive experience that left me with a greater understanding of myself and my fellow co-workers.

Wing Young Huie, a nationally recognized photographer, was the facilitator.  He applied his creative method and process for his upcoming project along University Avenue, scheduled to open in early Summer 2010.

I began the experience by being paired with a colleague who I did not know very well.  The instructions seemed pretty easy:  interview each other using 6 set questions and then collaboratively come up with a word, sentence or phrase that describes each other.  Write it on a small chalkboard and photograph each other.

The six questions were:

1.         What are you?

2.         How do you think others see you; what don’t they see?

3.         What advice would you give a stranger?

4.         What’s your favorite word?

5.         Describe an incident that changed you.

6.         How has race affected you?

The result is the picture you see along with my post.

What experiences have increased your understanding of diversity and inclusion?