Visit Baltimore Releases Updated JEDI Resource for the Local Hospitality Industry
BALTIMORE, MD — Visit Baltimore, the official destination sales and marketing organization for Baltimore City, today announced the launch of a new resource expanding on race and unconscious bias as part of its Warm Welcome Program 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 well-respected 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 and host of “Today with Dr. Kaye” on WEAA 88.9 FM.
“There is a lot that we can do as educators to expand on the conversations we have been having about diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) to make them broader and more inclusive.” said Dr. Kaye 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 more. 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,” said 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 their entire staff, Visit Baltimore will provide a Warm Welcome kit that includes a window cling and other display items to show visitors they are seen and respected in that place of business. 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 Warm Welcome toolkit. Visit Baltimore is continuously working with local DE&I experts to enhance its Warm Welcome resources for participants and has plans to release an additional module later this year.
For more on how the Warm Welcome Program works, visit the program landing page at Baltimore.org/WarmWelcome.
About Visit Baltimore
Visit Baltimore is the official sales and marketing arm for the City of Baltimore. The 501(c)(6) non-profit organization generates economic benefits for stakeholders through the attraction of convention, group and leisure visitors. In 2021, 24.3 million people visited Baltimore for overnight and day trips spending a total of $2.7 billion to Baltimore’s economy. For more information, please visit Baltimore.org.
About the Karson Institute for Race, Peace & Social Justice
The Karson Institute for Race, Peace & Social Justice, located on the campus of Loyola University Maryland, provides a scholarly space for professors, students, social justice workers, and activists to come together to research, discuss, debate, and explore topics of inequality, injustice, and racial inequity in the United States. The Karson Institute consists of three centers: the Center for Public Engagement that hosts outward-facing monthly conversations on race and equity; the Center for Teaching and Learning that provides training and resources in culturally responsive teaching and diversity, equity, and inclusion to K-12th grade teachers; and, the Center for Research and Culture which provides spaces for junior and senior scholars to collaborate on research projects. Karsonya “Kaye” Wise Whitehead, Ph.D., professor of communication and African and African American studies, founded and directs the center.