
Next Level DEIA | Cohort 3
Take DEIA to the next level in your organization
The business case for equity and inclusion is stronger than ever. That’s why the Columbus Chamber of Commerce offers a 7-week accelerator that equips organizations with the capability to infuse equity and inclusion into their DNA to attract and retain diverse talent, enhance employee engagement, improve business outcomes, and increase innovation.
Upon completion of this accelerator, participants will be able to guide organizational leaders to:

- Align on a shared understanding and definition of DEIA across the organization
- Craft SMART goal statements and implementation actions
- Identify goal-aligned metrics and tell data-rich DEIA stories
- Develop the inclusive excellence competency across the organization
- Minimize risk and sustain performance while implementing the DEIA Action Plan
Programming
7-week accelerator
The group will be facilitated by Sherrice Sledge-Thomas, Ankit Shah, and Varsey Laurelle – who are experts in the DEIA field.
Series Schedule*:
The next session starts on August 1, 2023 and all sessions run from 3:30 to 6:00 pm.
- August 1, 2023 – Welcome and Onboarding
- August 22, 2023 – DEIA Foundations
- August 29, 2023 – DEIA in Organization Design
- September 19, 2023 – DEIA Metrics that Matter
- September 26, 2023 – Diverse Talent Pipelines
- October 3, 2023 – Inclusive Leadership
- October 17, 2023 – Engaging Employees in DEIA
- October 24, 2023 – Leading DEIA Change
- November 9, 2023 – Next Level DEIA Graduation
* Series programing subject to change
Cost and Registration
The cost to participate in the program is $950 per series unless you qualify for the scholarship.
Scholarship Criteria
- Employ 10-500 people
- Desire to make systemic changes to infuse diversity, equity, inclusion, and access into policies and practices
- Empowered to influence and make decisions in the organization
Please reach out to Sherrice Thomas with questions.
Thanking Our Partners
DEIA in the News
- Opening applications for the Next Level DEIA Program to established small business owners in the Columbus Region
- Columbus Chamber’s new diversity program aims to help smaller companies
- This new Columbus Chamber diversity initiative helps companies avoid “Band Aid” solutions
- Singleton Construction is Taking DEIA to the Next Level
- 14 local organizations join the second Next Level DEIA cohort
- Dublin Arts Council is Taking DEIA to the Next Level
- Mid-Ohio Food Collective is Taking DEIA to the Next Level