AUTHOR, TRACY BROWN, SPEAKS AT NATIONAL DIVERSITY SEMINAR IN PORTLAND SEPTEMBER 10-11, 2002

Department of Energy is holding a training seminar for employees on diversity and EEO topics in Portland, OR. Tracy Brown, author of Breaking the Barrier of Bias" presents two sessions. One session focuses on cross-cultural communication. The other session focuses onssues related to religion and inclusion in the workplace.

The Department of Energy hosts an annual seminar to provide education to its employees on trends and topics related to both EEO and diversity. This year the seminar is being held in Portland, Oregon. It is being hosted by the Department of Energy's Richland Operations Office, Office of River Protection and the Bonneville Power Administration in collaboration with DOE Hanford contractors.

The Department of Energy is like any other complex organization with employees working not only all over the country, but all over the world. And like any other complex organization trying to be inclusive, there have been some successes and some failures. So employees from agency offices nationwide will convene in Portland to learn about national trends and to develop the skills they need to be change agents.

"Most of us are aware of diversity, but we don't always apply that awareness when we are communicating with someone who is different from us." says one of the presenters, Tracy Brown. Her Texas-based company, Diversity Trends, LLC, offers consulting on diversity strategy and training on cross-cultural communication skills.

One of the sessions Brown will be presenting is titled "The Aftermath: When Religion and Inclusion Collide." When asked if the session focused primarily on problems that occurred after the 9-11 attacks she responded, "I'll refer to some of the trends from the past year, but we'll spend more time on tips that can be applied to sensitive situations that occur whether or not the religion is Islam."

The other session presented by Brown is titled, "All Different, All Alike". It's based on the concept that in order for diversity to become something positive in the workplace we have to learn to be inclusive. And to be inclusive we have to build on both the similarities and the differences. "This session gives participants a chance to assess how well they recognize and use both difference and similarities to work with team members or to provide service to their customers." Brown said.
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ABOUT TRACY BROWN, author of "Breaking the Barrier of Bias"

www.DiversityTrends.com or www.TracyBrown.com

Her keynote speeches challenge audience members to use clarity and courage to achieve powerful cross-cultural connections. Her consulting practice focuses on ways to integrate diversity with strategic planning and daily operations. And through interactive seminars and customized coaching, Tracy Brown, help individuals develop and demonstrate the skills required to be effective in multicultural settings.

In addition to appearances on local radio and television programs, she's been interviewed or featured in Money Magazine, Texas Business Monthly, HR Magazine and other publications. Tracy has authored or co-authored 5 books and three audio-learning programs. Her next book, "inclusion works", will be released in the first quarter of 2003.