Other Voices Class of 2026 - Greensboro Chamber of Commerce

Other Voices Class of 2026

Deadline for Applications July 19, 2025:
Contact Joyce Gorham-Worsley at 336.312.4647

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

September 2025
Orientation/ Building the Learning Community

October 2025
Two-Day Fall Retreat - Race/Ethnicity/Other Voices Basics

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

December 2025
Sexual Orientation/ Sexual Identity w/ intersection of race & gender

January 2026
Two-Day Winter Retreat - Religion/Culture/Ethnicity/Immigration

February 2026
Community/Generations

March 2026
“Look-ism”/Differently Abled

April 2026
Two Day Spring Retreat - Pulling It All Together/ Building Allies/Leadership

April 2026
Class Graduation Celebration

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

Fields marked with an * are required.

Personal Data

Applicant's First & Middle Name *

(First, M.I.)

Applicant's Last Name *

(Full last name)

How do you want your name to appear on a name tag? *

Street Address (Home address) *

Home street address including suite, apartment, or unit #)

City, State, Zip Code (Home address) *

Home/Mobile Phone number *

Personal Email Address *

# of Years of Residence in Greensboro/Guilford County *

City of Birth *

Age Range *

Please select one:

Gender *

Race *

Check all that apply (Required Field)

Religious Affiliation *

Years of Education Completed *

Please list any physical challenges or medical conditions. *

Please list any dietary restrictions or food allergies *

Employment

Current Employer Name *

List full company name

Current Title *

Full Business Address *

Should include street address, suite #, city, state, and zip code)

Business Email Address *

Business Phone number

Years Employed *

CEO or Organization Leader Information
(will be invited to the closing reception)

Name & Title

Address

Phone

Email *

Community Involvement
Please list three community organizations outside of your employer in which you volunteer your time.

Please list the organization, position held, and the years you were/are involved. *

Open Ended Questions

In your judgement, what are the top Human Relations challenges facing Greensboro? *

How do you feel the Other Voices experience will benefit you? *

This could include benefits that are both personal and professional.

How did you learn about the Other Voices program? *

Participant Commitment

Tuition to be fully paid by: *

(check applicable box)

Participant Commitment *

I understand the purposes of the Other Voices program and if I become a participant, I will pay my tuition prior to the deadline. I will devote the time as described in the program information provided and as outlined in the Other Voices Attendance Policy.

Employer Commitment

Employer Commitment *

This application has the approval of this organization and the applicant has our full support which includes the necessary time required to fully participate in all days and aspects of the program. I understand the time commitment required as indicated above for my employee/candidate to participate in Other Voices and approve of and support their absence if selected into the program.

Sponsoring Manager's Name *

Sponsoring Manager's Email Address *

Please verify that you have checked the “I'm not a robot” checkbox.