Deadline for Applications 
Please contact Joyce Gorham-Worsley
Jgorham-worsley@greensboro.org  |  (336) 387-8324 - office  |  (336) 312-4647 - mobile

BEGINNINGS

The development of Other Voices began in 1990 with a group of Leadership Greensboro members, along with members of the Human Relations Commission, called together by the mayor of Greensboro to tackle some difficult issues facing our community. After three years of challenging work, the group launched the Other Voices program in 1993. The program sought to significantly improve human relations, especially race relations, in Greensboro. To date, over 700+ individuals have participated in Other Voices as a result of their commitment to the Other Voices vision and its potential for our community.

VISION

The vision of Other Voices is a Greensboro and Guilford County that encourages full and productive participation by our diverse citizenry in building a leading community open to all.

MISSION

Other Voices is a diversity leadership development and community-building experience in which participants, in frank and open dialogue, examine racism, sexism, ethnocentrism, antisemitism, homophobia, socio-economics, and other forms of oppression. Due to its pervasive and historical impact on our community, racism is a primary focus. Participants develop skills and strategies to understand and help eradicate prejudice and discrimination on a personal, organizational, and community level.

GOAL

Other Voices is designed to build participant insight and understanding of the roots of prejudice; help participants determine how “oppressive-isms” affect their quality of life; share cross-cultural environments; evaluate personal biases that play out in behaviors; define and clearly state the issues; develop a vision for dealing with problems; and develop strategies for alleviating these problems individually, in small groups at the workplace, and in the community.

PROGRAM

An orientation, a two-day Fall retreat, regular monthly day sessions, a two-day Winter retreat, a two-day Spring retreat, and a celebration event make up the schedule for Other Voices. Each session is planned by a program committee working with a professional facilitator. Program goals are accomplished through a series of readings, interactive seminars, experiential assignments, creative dialogue among class members, and community resources. Class teams may also develop one or more group projects which are aimed at addressing issues which improve human relations in Greensboro and Guilford County.

PARTICIPANTS/SELECTION

A diverse group of traditional and non-traditional leaders with the capacity to influence others and with an interest in enhancing their personal involvement in our community will be selected to participate in the program. Class size will be approximately 25-30 participants. An important tool of the learning process in the Other Voices program is the diversity of the class.

YOUR TIME COMMITMENT

Other Voices requires a serious commitment of time. The success of the program depends on the commitment of each participant to being present on each program day and to being on time. Accordingly, recognition of the completion of the program will include a certificate. New graduates (alumni) will be invited to attend graduate (alumni) activities. Pre-session assignments and a possible community project will require additional time above and beyond the scheduled programs days. Those who are unable to make the entire commitment should not apply.

ATTENDANCE 

A participant may miss up to two days and still graduate. However, attendance at the Fall Retreat, the Winter Retreat and the Spring Retreat is mandatory. 

APPLICATION PROCESS

Candidates may be nominated by their employers, by an organization in which they serve as volunteer leaders or they may nominate themselves.

THE INVESTMENT

The tuition for Other Voices is $1,500 for Chamber members and non-profit staff members, and $1,700 for all other individuals. It may be paid by the individual, an employer, agency, organizations or other source. You will be invoiced upon acceptance. 

Payment is due prior to the beginning of the program year, which is the Orientation Program Day.

Monthly Program Calendar

Friday, September 19, 2025
Orientation/ Building the Learning Community

Thursday, October 16, 2025 & Friday, October 17, 2025
Two-Day Fall Retreat - Race/Ethnicity/Other Voices Basics

Thursday, November 20, 2025
Socio-Economics w/ intersection of race & gender

Thursday, December 18, 2025
Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity w/ intersection of race & gender

Thursday, January 22, 2026 & Friday, January 23, 2026
Two-Day Winter Retreat - Religion/Culture/Ethnicity/Immigration

Friday, February 20, 2026
Community/Generations

Friday, March 20, 2026
“Look-ism”/Differently Abled

Thursday, April 16, 2026 & Friday, April 17, 2026
Two Day Spring Retreat - Pulling It All Together/ Building Allies/Leadership

Tuesday, April 28, 2026
Class Graduation Celebration

 (Combined with the annual Other Voices Alumni Reception & the presentation of 
Other Voices Change Agent Awards)