Celebrating differences and breaking stereotypes: an inspiring professional development day

This week, Capital City College (CCC) colleagues came together at our Tottenham centre for a series of talks and workshops dedicated to EDI.

April’s professional development day (PD Day) marked a celebration under the theme ‘Celebrating Differences and Breaking Stereotypes’. Curated by CCC’s EDI Manager, Bimmy Rai, the event promised an inspiring line-up of sessions focused on equity, diversity, and inclusion.

The day featured dynamic discussions and creative explorations, inviting participants to engage deeply with the diverse lived experiences within our international community.

Notable guest speakers included Jassa Ahluwalia, an actor and advocate for dual heritage identity, who led a session on #BothNotHalf, exploring identity beyond boxes, and celebrating the nuance and complexity of being “both.”

Guests were also treated to a session by Kareem Parkins-Brown, a poet and educator, who led a poetry masterclass on the power of slang. And for some language fun, attendees also enjoyed a special book signing and a “Spice Up Your Lingo” Punjabi taster session.

One highlight of the day was the HAKA Workshop, celebrating Māori heritage, which proved to be a powerful and engaging experience. Participants were encouraged to wear something that reflected their culture or heritage, making the event a vibrant celebration of our collective identity at CCC.

Recognizing the varied needs for professional development, the event included a range of skill-building sessions. Whether it was “Working Smarter with Microsoft Word, Excel & Outlook” (intermediate level), advancing teaching and learning practices, exploring personal finance, or taking a moment in the Wellbeing Room or Quiet Zone, there was something for everyone.

Bimmy Rai​​​​, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Manager at CCC, spoke with some of the attendees afterwards. She said: “It’s great to hear from colleagues that they were ‘spoilt for choice with the diversity of topics and activities’ taking place at PD Day and expressed their delight and thanks for the showcasing of such a wide variety of workshops and the carefully curated, thought-provoking and inspiring EDI-exclusive events, which helped to increase their knowledge, understanding and awareness.”

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