The Thermal Belt Friendship Council will host a workshop focused on developing strategies to become an ally against racism. The workshop will be Saturday, May 23, at noon, at Roseland Community Center in Tryon.

Dr. Joseph Fox, President and CEO of Fox Management Consulting Enterprises, LLC, will facilitate a discussion related to healing racial trauma, understanding factors that have led to the racial divide, and strategies to enhance community involvement in improving race relations. The workshop is free to participants, but those in attendance are asked to bring a potluck item and to get to know each other during the working lunch presentation. Call Donna at 859-7099 or email dtatnall@yahoo.com for more information.

Dr. Fox is currently serving as the coordinator for the Western North Carolina Diversity Engagement Coalition in Asheville, N.C. The Western North Carolina Diversity Engagement Coalition (WNC DEC) is a network of organizations dedicated to increasing diversity and inclusion.

WNC DEC brings people together to collectively support the professional development, engagement, and inclusion of multicultural people within the member organizations in Western North Carolina. The organization sponsors monthly networking events at local organizations throughout downtown Asheville, offers a series of eight-week professional development classes and coaching calls, and works with member organizations to share best practices, as well as to assess the effectiveness of their inclusiveness initiatives utilizing a benchmarking tool.

Dr. Fox possesses an Ed.D. and an M.B.A. from Western Carolina University, Cullowhee, N.C., and a B.S. degree in business administration from Pfeiffer University, Misenheimer, N.C. He also possesses the Professional in Human Resources Management (PHR) National Certification, Global Achieve Leadership Training Certification, and the Rural Entrepreneurship through Action Learning (REAL) Certification.

– Submitted by Donna Tatnall