Other Voices Class Information

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, more than 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.

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.

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. Applications are due on Tuesday July 15, 2025.

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.

Selection Criteria

A maximum of thirty individuals will be selected to participate in the program. Since the number of participants to Other Voices is limited, applicants who are not selected are encouraged to reapply in subsequent years. Participants will be chosen by the Other Voices Selection Committee based upon the information provided in the application. The committee will be seeking men and women from Guilford County:

• Who represent a cross-section of the community including business, the professions, education, government, arts, clergy, service and community organizations, neighborhoods and various racial, cultural, socio-economic, age and gender groups
• Who have demonstrated a sincere commitment, motivation and interest in improving human relations in the Greensboro community
• Who have a genuine concern for the future of the Greater Greensboro area and a desire to be personally involved in shaping it
• Who have the interest and potential for building a leading community open to all.
• Who have the time to complete the Other Voices initiative and have the full support of the corporation or organization represented
• Who have the intention, upon completion of the initiative, to seek leadership opportunities in the community

2025-2026 Monthly Program Calendar

The monthly program calendar (by month & topic) for the 2026 class.

September 2025
Orientation/Building the Learning Community

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

November 2025
Socio-Economics with the intersection of race & gender

December 2025
Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity with the intersection of race and 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 Other Voices Alumni Annual Reception & the presentation of Other Voices Change Agent Awards)