Inclusive Communities outlines leadership, workforce and reentry programs to Douglas County commissioners

Inclusive Communities told the Douglas County Board of Commissioners on Jan. 7 that its long-running human-relations programs can support county efforts on workforce retention, leadership development and reentry.

Cammy Watkins, executive director and CEO of Inclusive Communities, described three core areas of the organization's work: youth leadership development (the Inclusivity youth camp), institutional transformation and consulting for employers and agencies, and community-building programs such as Omaha Table Talk, which the group operates in partnership with other nonprofits and volunteers from correctional facilities.

“We were founded by Otto Swanson, Morris Jacobs ... and we were centered around addressing that there was gonna be a secret boycott of Jewish owned businesses,” Watkins said, summarizing the nonprofit’s history and its mission to confront prejudice and promote respectful civic dialogue. She noted Inclusive Communities has offered a 25-year youth camp and has expanded adult leadership training and corporate consulting to help employers manage difficult workplace communications, improve retention and build inclusive cultures.

Watkins said the organization’s adult program LEAD Diversity is a nine-month cohort that brings leaders together to examine identity, history and community impacts, and to produce collective projects on problems such as workforce retention and transportation. She also described work with the Douglas County Health Department, and said Inclusive Communities has trained volunteers inside the Omaha Correctional Center to facilitate Table Talk sessions that participants described as restoring a sense of humanity for people returning to the community.

Commissioners expressed interest in county partnerships. Commissioner Borgeson suggested meetings with the county youth center and adult corrections to explore collaboration; Commissioner Boyle and others asked for examples of business and government clients and the types of workplace issues Inclusive Communities addresses. Watkins said the group provides micro-to-macro training modules, role-play exercises and facilitated conversations aimed at improving communication, de-escalation and human-centered supervision.

There was no vote attached to the presentation; commissioners indicated they would explore potential partnerships with county departments.

Cammy Watkins can be contacted through Inclusive Communities for follow-up on training, leadership cohorts and Table Talk participation.