Crystal Spraggins

As workers in the nonprofit, human services sector, we may think we are immune to the thoughts and feelings that are being discussed in the news and social media – on race, gender, and sexuality – as we confront these issues daily with our clients. Unfortunately, implicit bias can find its way into the most progressive workplace, and these roots are often the most challenging to identify and uproot. In this workshop, Crystal and Rachael will take a two-pronged approach to tackling the issue. First, they will help participants identify the red flags of implicit bias in the nonprofit workplace and suggest strategies to confront and dismantle the systemic, toxic culture of privilege. This part of the workshop will involve identification and naming of the very subtle use of language and policy that enables individuals in power to project their benevolence and generosity while maintaining the status quo. Second, Crystal and Rachael will share work they are currently undertaking to engender new workplace cultures. Crystal is head of cultural change at a multi-service nonprofit in Philadelphia that is employing trauma-informed principles to shift workplace norms externally and internally. Rachael is working with the largest integrated medical system in the U.S. to change the culture of clinicians and their attitudes towards the family caregivers of patients.