The BCC Compass – January 2021

Let’s talk about bias.

Bias, a tendency, inclination, or prejudice toward or against something or someone, is something we all have. It can be innate or learned, and while some biases are helpful (like avoiding someone who has purposely caused you harm), many are not.

To continue our pursuit of a more equitable, diverse, and inclusive culture, BCC conducted unconscious bias training this past fall for the BCC Board of Directors and senior leaders. Unconscious biases, which are also known as implicit biases, are social stereotypes that people form about others, outside of their own awareness. Understanding these biases is fundamental to our goal of treating everyone with fairness and respect.

Created and presented by Vice President of Development and Marketing Marcelena Holmes, who is completing a doctoral dissertation on racial reconciliation in faith-based organizations, BCC’s unconscious bias training takes a deep dive into the human brain and how it becomes shaped by its surroundings. It also explores ethnicity, race, and racism and includes an implicit bias test to help participants understand their own biases.

Below, three members of our Board of Directors share why the training is important, what they have learned and how they will use the information to shape BCC’s future.

On a separate note, 2020 was a year filled with challenges for so many of us. From the bottom of my heart, I wish you all a happy, healthy start to the new year.