The nation’s first data-driven employer certification and leadership program for gender and racial equity hosts WSJ-best selling author of Inclusify, Dr. Stefanie K. Johnson.
CINCINNATI – February 3, 2021. Queen City Certified—the nation’s first data-informed employer certification and cohort-based leadership program for promoting gender and racial equity—has announced the launch of “Elevating Equity,” a new speaker series featuring thought leaders on diversity, equity, and inclusion. The first virtual event, scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 3, is free to attend and will feature keynotes and small group discussions. The event has already drawn hundreds of professionals nationwide—from companies and nonprofits committed to creating a more inclusive workplace.
QCC’s first session will feature Dr. Stefanie K. Johnson, author of Inclusify: The Power of Uniqueness and Belonging to Build Innovative Teams. Dr. Johnson will lead a discussion on practical strategies for leaders to mitigate unconscious bias and develop more diverse and cohesive teams. An associate professor at the University of Colorado Boulder, her work has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, The Economist, Newsweek, Time, Bloomberg, The Washington Post, CNN, ABC, NBC, CNBC, and The Harvard Business Review.
“There is little doubt that diversity and inclusion in the workplace enhance engagement, innovation, decision-making and performance. Studies show that inclusive teams are more productive, developing more creative and innovative solutions that drive value,” according to Dr. Johnson. “People have two basic desires: to stand out and to fit in. How can leaders achieve this balance, to foster a culture where people feel more engaged, empowered, accepted, and valued? I’m excited to join Queen City Certified’s community to facilitate this very important conversation.”
Queen City Certified has been a partner in workplace equity since 2018, working with employers across many industries: leading ad agencies, top law firms, cultural institutions, multinational corporations, industrial manufacturers, municipal departments, mission-driven nonprofits, and many more. As an award-winning third-party certification, Queen City Certified partners with business executives, HR managers, and DEI thought leaders. The ultimate goal? To recognize and support employers that are walking the talk when it comes to creating a workplace where all people can thrive.
"If you have employees, you should invest in the Queen City Certified experience,” said Brandon Blank, VP of Experience Design at Barefoot Proximity, a leading global ad agency based in Cincinnati. “QCC helps you assess where you are, equips you with a roadmap for the work you need to do, and gives you practical and actionable frameworks, tools, and resources to move the needle. Within the first year, QCC has helped transform our organization.”
By combining collaborative learning, community-building, and proprietary assessments of policy and culture, Queen City Certified helps its partners build more inclusive and equitable workplaces. Some meaningful results among Queen City Certified companies include:
80% of employees report that their employer has taken steps to increase diversity, equity, and inclusion
Reductions in turnover—A candidate accepted a job offer at a nonprofit over a higher paying job elsewhere because of QCC’s policy recommendations
Increased retention—A law firm improved gender diversity efforts, resulting in the hiring of 20% more women attorneys
According to Queen City Certified CEO and Founder and Nicole Armstrong, “Organizations partner with us to uncover barriers to workplace advancement experienced by women, BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and other employees with marginalized identities, but also to develop meaningful actions plans that deliver tangible results. We want to increase trust, credibility, and buy-in at all levels. We’re building a community of changemakers with a common vision and goal: a diverse and thriving workforce that brings greater success to our families, employers, cities, and regions. Our new ‘Elevating Equity’ speaker series is a natural evolution of this important work.”
About Queen City Certified
Queen City Certified is the nation’s first data-informed employer certification and cohort-based leadership program for intersectional gender equity. Since 2018, companies and nonprofits alike have leveraged our proprietary, award-winning certification to uncover barriers to workplace advancement experienced by marginalized groups, develop meaningful actions plans, and achieved greater results in recruiting and retention. Learn how you can join a growing community of peers and DEI thought leaders.
