52% of all MLCV Associates identify as female. This stat may carry little weight on its own. However, identifying numbers like these keeps MLCV’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) efforts in full swing. The organization’s DEI focus areas include increasing cultural competency, an inclusive workforce, and diverse suppliers — building a culture of knowledge, empathy, and inclusion.

The prospect of creating a business that puts considerable care into developing an all-embracing, culturally aware workplace isn’t groundbreaking. Yet MLCV’s placement as a Tribal business corporation puts a raw tangibility in what it means to experience limitations in these areas. For this, the commitment to immerse in DEI actions is cemented in MLCV’s culture.

A significant step toward these goals and values is through a bi-monthly program called Brave Space, hosted by the DEI team.

Brave Space

Brave Space is an interactive production open to all MLCV Associates, developed to strengthen DEI skills through engaging group conversations and experiences. The ongoing curriculum gives ample opportunity to step outside of comfort zones, ask the tough questions that matter in a safe place, and learn from one another.

The name, Brave Space, is a direct metaphor for the culture MLCV strives to achieve inside and outside the program — a free-flowing environment for discourse from all, judgment-free. MLCV’s Chief People Officer and DEI Team Council Member, Tawnya Stewart, shares, “We can step into the Brave space, recognizing our filters and the filters of others while learning how to shift and increase base-level competence. We each learn through exposure, experience, and education.”

Since its relatively new launch in September of 2021, there has been a diverse output of Brave Space events made to suit its range of audiences. A panel of multi-generational Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe community members shared stories from their heritage to honor Native American Heritage Awareness Month. While in celebration of Black History Month, a local Pastor of St. Mark African Methodist Episcopal Church, Anthony Galloway, joined MLCV to provide insight into African American history.

With excitement, Associates plan for January’s upcoming session featuring a presentation from musician Jeff Perry. His contribution to melodic tunes and conversations illustrates how music connects humans from all walks of life in emotions of love, loss, hope, and fear.

The Future of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Looking ahead, MLCV’s DEI Team continues thinking about advancing Brave Space and DEI initiatives. Though most Brave Space events have been virtual, a shift is on the horizon to offer hybrid and in-person, allowing for a range of healthy distances to engage. And utilizing measurements obtained through surveys and data will induce further examination into being genuinely inclusive in every area of work.

This article was written by Hannah Torkelson, MLCV’s Brand Communication Specialist. Hannah is a storyteller and is responsible for capturing great moments within MLCV’s portfolio