Brave Lil' Convos is a monthly series that equips people with vocabulary, knowledge, and tools to lead and participate in brave conversations about diversity, equity, and belonging.
(Receive SHRM learning credits!)
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JANUARY | Wednesday, January 21 @ 12pmCT | Reflections + Realities: What Leaders Need to Know for 2026
It has been a year since executive orders reshaped the landscape for workplace inclusion. As we enter 2026, organizations are reflecting on the past 12 months - celebrating successes, learning from challenges, and preparing to advance equity in the months ahead. American Pride Rises, founded by Stacey Abrams, has been at the forefront of this movement, advocating for the protection and expansion of inclusive practices nationwide.
In this session, Becky Monroe, Civil Rights Attorney and Legal Advisor, and Dr. Gabrielle Gray, Senior Consultant, will share how the organization collaborates with lawmakers, community leaders, and activists to address evolving policy and societal expectations. Participants will gain insight into interpreting policy developments and identifying opportunities for meaningful impact in 2026 and beyond.
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FEBRUARY | Wednesday, February 18 @ 12pmCT | AI, Automation & Fair Hiring: Strengthening Merit-Based Decisions in Automated Hiring Systems
As organizations increasingly rely on AI and automated tools to screen, assess, and prioritize candidates, questions of merit, job-relatedness, and defensibility are coming to the forefront - particularly as data shows certain groups are more likely to be screened out by automated systems without clear performance-based justification.
This session examines how automated hiring systems can unintentionally undermine merit-based decision-making when criteria, data inputs, or accessibility are misaligned with actual job requirements. In light of the EEOC’s evolving tone emphasizing neutrality, individual assessment, and nondiscriminatory workplace practices, this webinar focuses on how employers can evaluate and use automation in ways that support fair and consistent hiring decisions - without sacrificing efficiency or operational goals.
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MARCH | Wednesday, March 25 @ 12pm CT | Modernizing Credential Requirements: Aligning Hiring Criteria With Job-Related Merit
Degree requirements, titles, and linear career expectations are often treated as neutral indicators of merit - yet research and hiring outcomes increasingly show they fail to predict performance and disproportionately screen out qualified candidates from historically underrepresented backgrounds. This webinar explores how organizations can reassess credentials and shift toward skills-based evaluation practices that are more closely tied to actual job requirements.
Framed through a meritocracy and compliance lens, the session will address how hiring criteria can be refined to improve decision quality, withstand legal scrutiny, and reduce unnecessary barriers, while maintaining rigor and consistency across roles and teams.
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APRIL | Wednesday, April 22 @ 12pmCT | From Access to Advancement: Designing Fair, Merit-Based Pathways for Promotion and Retention
Organizations often invest significant effort in hiring, yet advancement and retention decisions are shaped by informal systems that are rarely examined for fairness or job-relatedness - resulting in uneven outcomes that consistently affect certain groups more than others over time.
This session focuses on how promotion, performance evaluation, and development practices can drift away from merit-based principles - creating risk, inconsistency, and disengagement. In the context of heightened scrutiny of employment practices and a renewed emphasis on equal treatment, the webinar will explore practical ways organizations can strengthen advancement systems so they are transparent, role-aligned, and defensible, while supporting long-term talent retention and organizational effectiveness.
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May | Wednesday, May 20 @12pmCT | Employment Law Update: Key EEOC Developments and Their Impact on Workplace Decision-Making
Recent EEOC guidance and enforcement activity signal meaningful shifts in how federal employment laws are being interpreted and applied, with direct implications for hiring, performance management, accommodations, and workplace policies. Employers navigating these changes face increased risk when practices are not closely aligned with current legal standards.
Framed through a compliance and risk-management lens, this webinar will examine notable EEOC updates and enforcement trends, highlighting practical considerations for employers seeking to adapt policies, training, and decision-making processes. The session will focus on strategies to strengthen legal defensibility, promote consistent application of employment standards, and reduce exposure while supporting effective workforce management.
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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19 @ 12pmCT | Uniting for Impact: Coalition-Building to Advance DEI in Challenging Times
The success of the civil rights movement demonstrated the transformative power of coalition-building across diverse groups—labor unions, religious organizations, advocacy groups, and beyond. Today, as Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives face adversity and pushback, the need for unity and collaboration is more critical than ever. This session will provide practical tools and insights to help leaders and advocates build stronger alliances to amplify their impact.
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WEDNESDAY, MARCH 19 @ 12CT | Meritocracy Myths: The Hidden Costs of Unequal Pay for Employers and Employees Alike
Pay Equity Day is March 25th, but shifting federal policies say we should prioritize meritocracy over equal pay. What happens when meritocracy takes precedence? Join us for a Brave Lil’ Convo as we explore the real-world consequences of pay inequity, impacting not just marginalized groups, but all workers—including white employees. Through compelling stories and data, we’ll examine how neglecting fair pay affects productivity, morale, and long-term financial inequality within organizations.
Register for an upcoming session here!
Individual Tickets
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Free for first-timers! Use the code "NewConnection" during checkout.
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Enjoy additional sessions for just $15 each
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See a topic that interests you? Join as you'd like with no committments.
Unlimited Access
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Interested in mulitple sessions? Get more bang for your buck with the Essential Resources plan.
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Receive unlimited access to all webinars, plus additional on-demand resources and materials.
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WHAT TO EXPECT
Learn from Industry Leaders + Experts
Monthly sessions address trending and timely issues related to diversity and inclusion, and introduces industry partners and experts as guest speakers to enhance the learning experience.
Relevant Topics
Topics vary based on what’s happening in society, timely issues, and suggestions from participants. Still, the format will always include educational learnings, tactical tips, and takeaways relevant to the workplace.
HR Learning Credits
Brave Lil’ Convos is recognized by HRCI and SHRM to offer Professional Development Credits (PDCs).
More Benefits + Highlights
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Learn about timely issues and topics
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Insights from industry insiders and experts
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Tactical tips and takeaways
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HRCI and SHRM learning credits
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Exposure to diverse perspectives
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Industry partners and experts
Upcoming Sessions.
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- ATTRACT and RETAIN diverse teams,
- GROW inclusive cultures, and
- SUSTAIN momentum with intentional support.
Contact Us!
Have questions? Want to learn more? We are here to help, and look forward to speaking with you!