BALTIMORE, Md. – Visit Baltimore has announced the launch of a new resource expanding on race and unconscious bias as part of its Warm Welcome Program.
The new resource aims to further educate the hospitality industry and other organizations on fostering an inclusive environment for all visitors.
The new video resource “Beyond Conversations about Race and Equity,” expands on the first Visit Baltimore Warm Welcome Module, which was created to encourage the hospitality community to engage in productive discussion about race and bias. The new training covers topics including intersectionality, bloom’s taxonomy, and the ally continuum and walks participants through what they can do as the next step in expanding on the areas of justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion (JEDI).
The training is presented by Visit Baltimore and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) expert Dr. Karsonya “Kaye” Wise Whitehead, Ph.D., founding director of The Karson Institute for Race, Peace & Social Justice on the campus of Loyola University Maryland.
“There is a lot that we can do as educators to expand on the conversations we have been having about DEI to make them broader and more inclusive,” says Whitehead. “As the conversation has shifted beyond DEI, it is also moving beyond individual discussions about race, gender, or class–the conversation is more intersectional, it is more inclusive, and it now includes the theme of justice. In addition to speaking about these topics openly, organizations and individuals alike need to be committed to dismantling the barriers to critical resources so that our communities can live full and dignified lives.”
The Visit Baltimore Warm Welcome program aims to establish Baltimore as a top destination for all people, regardless of race, gender identity, nationality, ethnicity, disability, and other factors. The program encourages local hotels, restaurants, attractions, and other businesses to sign an online pledge committing to train their staff and stakeholders to use supportive, affirming language; inspire proactive allyship; encourage productive dialogue about race, accessibility, and bias; and foster active listening and learning. Upon signing the pledge, participants receive a link to the exclusive training toolkit created specifically for the tourism and hospitality community in Baltimore.
“The hospitality industry is an industry that speaks to all populations and travelers of diverse backgrounds,” says Al Hutchinson, president and CEO of Visit Baltimore. “With service, flexibility, and hard work being critical pillars to the hospitality community, it is important that we provide our workforce with the necessary tools to continue building on justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion efforts and make sure that all individuals feel welcome in our spaces.”
Once an organization completes the training with its entire staff, Visit Baltimore will provide a Warm Welcome kit that includes a window cling and other display items. In addition to the latest module, businesses can find additional resources and training surrounding the topics of race and unconscious bias, along with accessibility and LGBTQ+ inclusion in the toolkit.
