Celebrating Diversity 2018: A Week to Remember

For the second consecutive year, Blue Chip Talent enjoyed a week-long celebration of diversity which included insightful hands-on learning of various diversity themes and plenty of engaging team-building exercises. The Celebrating Diversity event started in 2017 as an initiative to make Blue Chip Talent an even more knowledgeable, inclusive company while also recognizing and appreciating the differences between colleagues that makes our team unique. Personalities were shared, laughs were had, and the necessity for diverse thoughts and experience was understood and encouraged throughout the week.

Monday, June 25 – Appreciating Diversity

Also for the second consecutive year, our team assembled “comfort bags” to be donated to the VA Hospital in Ann Arbor. Our team worked diligently to create these packages and to write encouraging notes of thanks and appreciation for the service and sacrifice of the veterans receiving care at the hospital.

Tuesday, June 26 – Understanding Diversity

During our weekly company meeting, current BCT Women Empowered Intern and Oakland University junior Maria Rossi shared with the team the essay she wrote for the Oakland University Diversity and Inclusion conference. Her essay addressed the importance and necessity for diversity in the workplace so that all may be exposed to new ways of thinking, acting, and the experience of others in order to create a better work environment and company. The meeting ended with a group activity which helped encourage dialogue about diversity.

Wednesday, June 27 – Celebrating Diversity

Wednesday afternoon featured a worldly buffet for lunch as we gathered a variety of foods from many cultures for our team to enjoy. Among the selection was Polish pierogies, Japanese sushi, Greek salad, and Chinese egg rolls, along with Italian cannolis and Turkish baklava for dessert. Not only did the lunch bring different tastes to our team’s palettes, but it also brought us together for a meal as one company.

Thursday, June 28 – Acknowledging Diversity

The highlight of this day was the “Show & Tell” game that everyone enjoyed. We asked people to bring in an item that they identified with or something that was very dear to them. Those items were lined up on a table and throughout the day others could guess who brought which item. The big reveal went off near the end of the day with each person sharing why the brought the item they did. This was a great activity to help gain a little more perspective on our colleagues and to know them closer on a personal level.

Friday, June 29 – The Grand Finale “Amazing Race” Road Rally

On Friday, the week came to a close with the second running of our “Amazing Race”-like road rally that incorporates all the previous themes presented during the week into one competitive race up, down, and around Oakland County. Starting from our office, five different groups had to figure out riddles and complete physical and mental challenges to find the next location. Once all groups reached the final destination (a restaurant), we ended the week with fun, food, games, and a new appreciation for diversity.

The memories we’ve shared during Celebrating Diversity 2018 will never fade and will help shape this event for years to come, growing larger and better for 2019.