Riley Fellows DLI Program

Our Philosophy & Approach

Diversity Leaders Initiative (DLI) takes a nonpartisan, commonsense approach to diversity. For more than 20 years, a central idea has underpinned our work: Organizations will be better able to fulfill their missions and meet their goals when they consider the diversity of their clients and leverage the unique skills and insights of their employees.

On the client side, DLI asks participants to consider the clients they are serving are not monolithic. Segments within an organizations’ wider clientele have specific needs and desires, and organizations that offer responsive services and products will have greater impact or capture a wider market.

Through discussions, case studies, and scenario analyses, DLI participants gain insights into how they may be missing markets or falling short of optimal service. DLI sessions challenge participants to consider if and how an employee’s background and life experience may itself serve as a job skill and be an asset to the organization, helping the team as a whole to better serve its audience.

DLI also examines barriers in the workplace that decrease employees’ ability to fully engage and effectively do their job. DLI offers participants tools and perspectives for increasing productivity in their workforce by removing or reducing barriers and managing stress points. Participants consider best practices that have worked in other industries and may serve as models for their own organizations as they explore how to connect with their employees and improve their collective performance.

Program Format

DLI brings participants together one day a month for five months. The curriculum includes case studies, scenario analyses, and other experiential learning tools that maximize interaction and discussion among participants and facilitate productive relationships. The DLI program format is open-ended and conversation-based, and discussions are driven largely by the participants. Juan Johnson of Juan Johnson Consulting and Facilitation, LLC, serves as the facilitator, helping to prompt and manage productive conversations among participants with different viewpoints and experiences.

DLI does not employ any top-down methods or formal training elements. It does not dictate or even suggest any specific workplace policies, procedures, or courses of action for its participants or their workplaces.

Finally, a core component of DLI is a group Community Action Project that allows participants to experience some of the themes of the class in action. Carefully selected groups representing individuals from across sectors develop projects addressing real issues in South Carolina. Project teams work together, bringing their varied skill sets, to engage around a common objective, creating a positive impact in their community.

Program Eligibility

DLI participants are selected through a rigorous application and interview process after being nominated by Riley Fellows, individuals who have already graduated from DLI. Participants are selected to join the class based on their capacity to create impact within their organizations and communities. Each class is crafted to reflect the demographics in South Carolina, with representation from across business sectors.

FAQs

Get a closer look at the genesis of the Diversity Leaders Initiative and the groundbreaking community action projects the program inspired in its first 10 years.

Unite South Carolina Magazine

Our Reach

  • 2,900+
    Riley Fellows
    graduates of our renowned Diversity Leaders Initiative
  • 350+
    Community Action Projects
    developing real solutions for real issues across South Carolina
  • 68
    DLI classes
    in the Upstate, Midlands, and Lowcountry since 2003

Riley Fellows Roster | Update Your Information

Riley Fellows Roster
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