Belonging Together: Strengthening Teams and Communities
Creating welcoming, inclusive environments does not happen by accident. It happens when people have the knowledge, skills, and commitment to build cultures where everyone feels respected, valued, and able to contribute.
Belonging Together: Strengthening Teams and Communities is Volusia Pride's interactive diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) training designed to help participants better understand themselves, one another, and the systems that shape our communities and workplaces. Through guided discussion, reflection, and practical examples, participants gain tools to foster stronger relationships, improve communication, and create environments where people from all backgrounds can thrive.
Why Belonging Matters
Belonging is about more than simply being present. It is about feeling welcomed, respected, heard, and empowered to participate fully. Organizations and communities that prioritize belonging often experience stronger relationships, improved collaboration, greater innovation, and a deeper sense of connection among members. By investing in belonging, we create spaces where people can bring their authentic selves, build trust, and work together more effectively.
What You'll Learn
Participants explore topics including:
Identity and lived experience
Inclusive communication practices
Understanding bias and its impact
Systems of privilege and oppression
Building cultures of respect and belonging
Recognizing barriers to inclusion
The session is designed to be approachable, engaging, and accessible for participants with varying levels of experience and familiarity with DEIB concepts.
Who Should Attend?
Belonging Together is designed for anyone interested in building stronger, more inclusive workplaces, organizations, and communities. The session is particularly valuable for business owners, employers, nonprofit professionals, educators, school staff, community leaders, faith communities, volunteers, and individuals who want to deepen their understanding of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. No prior experience or specialized knowledge is required - just a willingness to learn, engage in meaningful conversation, and explore ways to create environments where everyone feels welcomed, respected, and valued.
Session Format
Belonging Together is offered quarterly and includes:
Interactive discussions
Guided reflection activities
Opportunities for participant engagement and dialogue
Practical tools that can be applied immediately
Each session is designed to encourage thoughtful conversation while providing actionable strategies participants can bring back to their workplaces, organizations, and communities.
2026 Session Information
Winter Session - January 10, 2026 | 2:00pm
Spring Session - April 4, 2026 | 2:00pm
Summer Session - July 11, 2026 | 2:00pm
Fall Session - October 17, 2026 | 2:00pm
Sessions are held at the Volusia Pride Community Space. No prior knowledge is required, just a willingness to engage with challenging topics and participate in discussion and reflection. These sessions are interactive and designed to encourage shared learning and growth.
Custom Sessions
Every group has unique needs, goals, and challenges. In addition to our quarterly public sessions, Volusia Pride offers customized Belonging Together workshops tailored to your audience and objectives. Whether you are looking to strengthen team culture, improve inclusive communication, support LGBTQ+ employees or community members, or build a deeper understanding of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging, we can work with you to develop a training experience that meets your needs.
Custom sessions can be adapted for businesses, nonprofits, educational institutions, faith communities, volunteer organizations, and community groups of all sizes. To learn more about scheduling a customized session or discussing your organization's goals, please contact us at info@volusiapride.org.