Why Cultural Intelligence (CQ) for Kent County? 

Kent County invests in Cultural Intelligence (CQ) assessments and training as part of our commitment to advance a culture that demonstrates diversity, equity, and inclusion. CQ Training is required as one of our many Kent County Human Resources Department’s learning and development opportunities. All Kent County leaders and staff have engaged in CQ training and new hires receive CQ Training during employee orientation. As we look ahead to our Kent County Strategic Plan Priorities for Inclusive Participation, having a workforce equipped with CQ will prove to be beneficial in our collective work as we intentionally incorporate diversity, equity and inclusion practices in our service delivery. Kent County is expanding its borders beyond Cultural Intelligence Training to CQ Implicit Bias Training in 2021. To date, 1,230 staff have completed CQ Training and approximately 11 staff are certified to deliver CQ Training and/or CQ Implicit Bias Training. – Teresa Branson, Chief Inclusion Officer, Kent County.

WEBINAR: WHAT IS CQ?

WHAT IS CULTURAL INTELLIGENCE AND

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?

July 21 | 10:00 AM ET | 1 HR

Join us for our upcoming What is Cultural Intelligence? webinar! 

Cultural Intelligence or CQ is defined as a globally recognized way of assessing and improving effectiveness in culturally diverse situations. But why is CQ important, and how can you use CQ to improve relationships in both your professional and personal lives?

David Livermore, president of the Cultural Intelligence Center, and Ritika Wadhwa, Director of UK Operations for the Cultural Intelligence Centre, will take us on a journey to explore CQ and how it can be used to assess and respond to complex intercultural situations.

During the webinar, participants will learn:

• What is culture and cultural intelligence? 
• The differences between CQ and other models such as cultural competence or intercultural effectiveness
• What are the four capabilities needed to work effectively with people who are different from you?
• Benefits of being culturally intelligent
• How to measure your CQ and how to start your journey toward being culturally intelligent



All webinar registrants automatically receive a chance to win 1 of 5 signed copies of David Livermore's Leading with Cultural Intelligence: The Real Secret to Success book! Sign up for the webinar below. 

Co-Host and Presenter

David Livermore, PhD

President and Founder

Cultural Intelligence Center, United States

Co-Host and Moderator

Ritika Wadhwa

Director, Operations

Cultural Intelligence Centre, United Kingdom

616 Day

On June 16th, Kent County participated in the first annual 616 Day event that’s organized by Victor Williams, CEO, Grand Stand Pictures, Producer of “A City Within A City” Documentary Film Project and Founder, Grand Rapids HipHop Coalition. Organizations were invited to participate and identify Grand Champions as individuals within their organizations that are working to uplift Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). These individuals/organizations will be credited in Grand Stand Pictures film, A City Within A City as Grand Champions. Kent County Administrator Wayman Britt and Chief Inclusion Officer, Teresa Branson were present to highlight Kent County’s work and commitment to DEI. Teresa served as a panelist to discuss DEI in the workplace. Other panelist were, Kenneth James, Director of Inclusion, Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce, Maleika Brown, Director of Equity and Inclusion, Grand Rapids Public Schools and Kimberley Williams, Civil Rights Investigator, Michigan Department of Civil Rights and Vice President – Grand Rapids Public Schools Board of Education. For more information on 616 DAY All things Grand Rapids, click here.

Michigan’s COVID-19 Racial Disparities Task Force Report

The COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately impacted communities of color in Michigan. The Task Force was created per Executive Order 2020-55, to act in an advisory capacity to the Governor. Task Force members studied the causes of racial disparities and recommended actions to address the historical and systemic inequities. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Kent County staff served on the community action stakeholder workgroup to combat racial disparities, adopt a centering equity approach, and provide access to strategic testing and vaccination. Locally, the Kent County Health Department, also established a Race, Equity, and Inclusion Team as part of our COVID-19 Incident Command strategic planning and response efforts. This team focused on diverse population groups, populations in high impact and/or socially vulnerable areas and other areas of the County with higher rates of COVID-19 or low vaccine uptake.  Click here to access the Michigan Report. 

 The task force suggests ways to:

• Increase transparency in reporting data regarding the racial and ethnic impact of COVID-19. 
• Remove barriers to accessing physical and mental health care. 
• Reduce the impact of medical bias in testing and treatment. 
• Mitigate environmental and infrastructure factors contributing to increased exposure during pandemics resulting in mortality. 
• Develop and improve systems for supporting long-term economic recovery and physical and mental health care following a pandemic. 

Gateways for Growth Seeking Welcome Plan Coordinator 

The Kent County Gateways for Growth Steering Committee, comprised of representatives from the City of Grand Rapids, Kent County, West Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce, and Samaritas, is hiring a Welcome Plan Coordinator to facilitate implementation of the Kent County Welcome Plan.

Click here to view the full qualifications and application process. All proposals are due by 5 p.m. on July 13, 2021. Applicants with questions about the position can attend a pre-bidding conference on June 29, 2021. 

Juneteenth: Celebrating Freedom

Juneteenth is the observance of the ending of slavery in the United States. The holiday links back to June 19, 1865, two-and-a-half years after the Emancipation Proclamation. It was at that point Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas with the news that the Civil War had ended and the slaves were freed.

The Grand Rapids Chamber in partnership with Warner Norcross and Judd LLP, hosted a webinar this past month and a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Networking Luncheon, attended by Jennifer James, Kent County Deputy County Administrator and Teresa Branson, Chief Inclusion Officer.  Attendees learned about the history and significance of Juneteenth and why it’s important to celebrate within your organization. Participants heard from Dr. Sandra Upton, Vice President of Global Diversity Practice at Cultural Intelligence Center, and Paul Doyle, Founder & CEO of Inclusive Performance Strategies

We cannot lose sight of the impact slavery has had and continues to have on this country. It has been over 155 years since the last slaves were freed. It important to continue to collaborate with our communities and members to take action that improves and makes changes for the betterment of everyone.

View the Kent County Administration and Board of Commissioners video about Juneteenth and the Kent County’s commitment to enhancing the integration of diversity, equity, and inclusion in all of the county strategic priorities. 

Celebrating Immigrant Heritage Month

June marked Immigrant Heritage Month! We celebrate the history, culture and influence immigrants have in shaping our communities and strengthening our economy. As of 2018, 55,595 immigrants called Kent County home making up 8.6% of the County's total population. Additionally in 2018, immigrants in Kent County paid $376M in taxes leaving them with nearly $1.1B in spending power. Find more information in our Welcome Plan.