PRUDE Helps Businesses, Organizations Embrace Cultural Diversity
The message of cultural diversity, regardless of ethnicity, religion, age or gender, and community collaboration is key to PRUDE Inc.’s mandate.
Developing this awareness while engaging community partners and stakeholders is changing mindsets as people learn more about systemic racism and implicit bias. PRUDE’s Cultural Diversity Co-facilitators Li Song, Managing Director, and Sheri McAulay, Cultural Diversity Officer, see this firsthand as more organizations participate and share their feedback.
PRUDE Inc.’s BCDT training is positioned to engage provincial partners to learn about negative stereotypes and cultural misconceptions. Imperial Theatre Inc. employees experienced this firsthand when they received BCDT training in person on Imperial’s stage.
“PRUDE Inc. is proud to work with Imperial Theatre as a community partner,” says Managing Director Li Song.
In 2019, Imperial received the Cultural Diversity Award for the meaningful connections and work that they do in making the theatre accessible to new residents through the Imperial Theatre Ambassador Program.
Imperial’s Executive Director, Angela Campbell recognizes the significance of the BCDT training and for ongoing training.
“The presentation was an excellent starting point for our organization’s journey to further embrace true inclusivity and accessibility,” she says. “I am so grateful how masterfully you made us all feel at ease and your ability to create a safe space for these difficult conversations is very much appreciated.”
Immigration is key to the growth of the province’s economy and PRUDE can help companies and organizations create a welcoming environment, says Heather White Brittain, Director of Development at Imperial Theatre and a founding member of the Stay and Grow program.
“PRUDE is positioned with expertise to collaborate and connect with community stakeholders in providing opportunities to learn about negative stereotypes and cultural misconceptions,” she says. “When we look to New Brunswick’s 2019-2024 Population Growth Strategy, immigrant growth is paramount to economic growth over the next 23 years as is retention.”
PRUDE brings decades of experience to the table, says Li Song.
“As PRUDE Inc. celebrates 40 years as an entity of helping people learn and grow through understanding and awareness, especially as it relates to newer Canadians, recent immigrants and minority groups, we know this kind of collaboration will make us stronger and better as our region continues to emerge and grow,” she says.
“We value our partners like Imperial Theatre who are walking the walk and talking the talk. Changing mindsets is the driving force behind PRUDE Inc.’s mandate and our message of cultural diversity, regardless of ethnicity, region, age or gender, works to sustain our environment of diversity, equality, respect and inclusiveness through our awareness programs and our community partners.”
PRUDE Inc. offers various programs and services to benefit newcomers and longtime Canadians alike. For more information on our programs and services, visit https://www.prudeinc.org/.
For more information on the Bridging Cultural Diversity Training, please contact PRUDE’s Diversity Officer, Sheri McAulay, at [email protected] , or 506.721.3952.