Ally Up: How to Build and Activate Ally Partnerships from Udemy

Are you ready to accelerate diversity, equity, & inclusion (DEI) efforts at your organization? Are you...

...someone who doesn't see themselves as part of DEI efforts because of your identity (e.g., white, male, heterosexual, etc.)? ...someone who wants to be an ally, but is unsure how to best support and advocated for underrepresented group members? ...a member of an underrepresented or historically disadvantaged group struggling with how to best engage allies to advance DEI, especially in the workplace? ...a senior leader, a DEI leader, a people leader, someone who sits HR or L&D, who is committed to advancing DEI efforts? ...considering launching an allyship program at your organization?

Then Ally Up is for you.

In this course, you'll learn all about how you can use allyship to create a more inclusive and fair workplace and world by effectively connecting across difference and partnering together to disrupt the status quo and build a world where EVERYONE has an equal opportunity to thrive.

Allyship is a relationship between an ally and their partner, working together toward the shared goal of fairness, equity, and social justice. Someone shouldn't call themselves an ally, though. Only the person who benefits from an ally’s work should award this designation. Consider the word ally to be a verb. It’s not who someone is, but what they do.

An ally is someone who:

Uses their power and status...
To support and advocate for...
Someone who doesn’t share a key part of their identity. For example, male allies for women, white allies for People of Color, straight allies for LGBTQ+ individuals, and so on.

In this course, you will learn the unique roles allies and the people they serve (who I refer to as "partners") need to play to advance inclusion and equity at your company.

In section 1, you'll be introduced to the concept of allyship, why it matters, and what makes for the best ally partnerships between people across difference
In section 2, you'll do the necessary inner work required for successful ally partnerships, including checking your bias and leveraging your privilege for good
In section 3, you'll learn strategies for connecting and communicating across difference
In section 4, you'll learn how to navigate tough conversations and how to lay the ground work for ongoing, systemic change
In section 5, you'll learn about the specific actions allies and partners take
And in section 6 you'll receive a quick summary of what was covered and encouragement to continue this work moving forward

This course comes with an Allyship Playbook with reflection exercises, tools, and assessments you can use to help you in your ally partnership. Use this playbook as many times as you need for different ally relationships, whether you're in the role of the ally or the partner. I've also included comprehensive course notes with lots of great resources and additional materials to help you learn more about allyship.

There is no time like the present to start working towards a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive world through allyship, so enroll today.

What's inside

Learning objectives

What allyship is and how it benefits allies and those they partner with
How to be an ally and how to partner with an ally
How to use allyship to promote diversity and inclusion at your organization
How to do the inner work required to be an ally or partner with an ally

How allies and the individuals they serve can best connect across difference
How allies can best partner with others to address inequality and change the status quo
Actions allies can take to support their partners and amplify their voices

What allyship is and how it benefits allies and those they partner with
How to be an ally and how to partner with an ally
How to use allyship to promote diversity and inclusion at your organization
How to do the inner work required to be an ally or partner with an ally
How allies and the individuals they serve can best connect across difference
How allies can best partner with others to address inequality and change the status quo
Actions allies can take to support their partners and amplify their voices

Syllabus

Create safe spaces

You will learn what allyship means, why you should be an ally/partner with an ally, what makes a good ally and partner, and what to expect from the rest of this course

What's the business case for diversity and inclusion (D&I) at your organization?

How does allyship help accelerate D&I efforts?

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Explores the concept of allyship, which can be a valuable tool for fostering a more inclusive and equitable workplace environment

Teaches strategies for navigating tough conversations, which is essential for addressing inequality and promoting systemic change

Includes an Allyship Playbook with reflection exercises, which can help learners apply the concepts to real-world situations

Requires learners to engage in inner work, such as checking their bias, which may be emotionally challenging for some

Examines the roles of both allies and partners, which helps learners understand the dynamics of effective allyship

Reviews summary

Practical guide to workplace allyship

According to learners, this course provides a strong foundation in workplace allyship, focusing on actionable strategies and practical application. Many found the content insightful and well-structured, particularly appreciating the focus on understanding privilege and navigating challenging conversations. The accompanying Allyship Playbook and course notes are frequently highlighted as valuable resources. While some with prior DEI experience found certain sections basic or repetitive, the overall sentiment is largely positive, emphasizing its utility for building more inclusive environments.

Course is highly relevant for professional settings.

"Highly recommend for anyone wanting to improve DEI at their organization."

"The course is directly applicable to building a more inclusive workplace."

"As a people leader, I found the strategies immediately relevant to my team."

"This course is geared specifically toward workplace allyship, which was perfect for me."

Offers strategies for addressing challenging situations.

"The section on navigating tough conversations was particularly useful."

"Feeling more equipped to handle sensitive topics after this course."

"Practical advice on how to reduce defensiveness and challenge constructively."

"Learning to disrupt the status quo feels less daunting now."

Deepens understanding of key concepts like bias and privilege.

"Really helped me understand my privilege and how to use it positively."

"The section on inner work (bias, privilege) was particularly insightful."

"I gained a deeper understanding of connecting across difference."

"The content clarified the 'why' behind allyship beautifully."

Course materials enhance learning and application.

"The playbook is a great resource. Highly recommend for anyone wanting to improve DEI."

"The course materials, especially the notes, are comprehensive and very helpful."

"Having the Allyship Playbook makes the reflection exercises easy to integrate."

"I refer back to the course notes frequently; they are packed with information."

Provides tools and steps for real-world allyship.

"Excellent course! Very practical and gave me actionable steps for being a better ally at work."

"I learned how to use practical tools and strategies that I could apply immediately to my work."

"The framework provided is very helpful for implementing allyship initiatives."

"Really focused on the 'do' of allyship, which is what I needed."

Some parts may feel introductory for those with experience.

"Some parts felt a bit basic if you've already done DEI training, but overall solid."

"Found some of the content a bit repetitive, especially in the early sections."

"If you are already deeply familiar with DEI, parts might be a review."

"I was hoping for more advanced strategies; some concepts were familiar."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Ally Up: How to Build and Activate Ally Partnerships with these activities:

Read 'So You Want to Be an Ally' by Ijeoma Oluo

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Provides a foundational understanding of allyship concepts and prepares students for the course material.

View So You Want to Talk About Race on Amazon

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Obtain a copy of the book.
Read the book, taking notes on key concepts.
Reflect on how the concepts relate to your own experiences.

Read 'White Fragility' by Robin DiAngelo

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Helps students understand the challenges of discussing race and privilege, fostering a more empathetic approach to allyship.

View White Fragility: Why It's So Hard for White... on Amazon

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Obtain a copy of the book.
Read the book, paying attention to the author's arguments.
Reflect on your own reactions to the concepts presented.

Allyship Action Plan

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Allows students to apply the course concepts to their own lives and create a concrete plan for allyship.

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Identify a specific area where you want to be an ally.
Research the issues and challenges faced by the group you want to support.
Develop a list of specific actions you can take to be an effective ally.
Implement your action plan and track your progress.

Four other activities

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Show all seven activities

Share Allyship Resources

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Reinforces learning by requiring students to synthesize and share information about allyship.

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Identify three to five resources related to allyship.
Write a brief summary of each resource.
Share the resources and summaries on social media or a blog.

Organize a peer discussion group

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Allows students to discuss and reinforce their understanding of allyship concepts with peers.

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Invite classmates to participate in a discussion group.
Choose a topic related to allyship for each session.
Facilitate the discussion and encourage active participation.

Develop an Allyship Training Module

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Deepens understanding by challenging students to create a training module based on the course content.

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Outline the key topics to be covered in the training module.
Develop engaging content, such as presentations, activities, and discussion prompts.
Pilot test the training module with a small group.
Revise the module based on feedback.

Volunteer with a relevant organization

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Provides practical experience in supporting marginalized groups and applying allyship principles.

Show steps

Identify an organization that supports a group you want to ally with.
Contact the organization and inquire about volunteer opportunities.
Volunteer your time and skills to support the organization's mission.

Career center

Learners who complete Ally Up: How to Build and Activate Ally Partnerships will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Inclusion and Equity Consultant

An Inclusion and Equity Consultant works with organizations to assess their current practices and develop strategies to improve diversity, equity, and inclusion. This consultant guides organizations in creating inclusive policies through data analysis and employee feedback. The Ally Up course provides valuable insights for an Inclusion and Equity Consultant by helping them understand the dynamics of effective allyship and how to foster partnerships across differences. The course's focus on inner work, communication strategies, and systemic change directly enhances a consultant's ability to guide organizations toward meaningful and lasting improvements in their DEI efforts. Especially valuable is the emphasis on action-oriented steps that allies and partners can take.

See salaries and explore the career path for Inclusion and Equity Consultant

Diversity and Inclusion Manager

A Diversity and Inclusion Manager develops and implements strategies to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion within an organization. This role involves creating and facilitating programs that foster a welcoming and inclusive environment for all employees. The Ally Up course helps a Diversity and Inclusion Manager by providing insights into effective allyship practices and how to build strong partnerships between different groups. Understanding the nuances of allyship, as taught in this course, allows the manager to design more impactful DEI initiatives and address systemic inequalities. The course's emphasis on inner work, bias awareness, and privilege utilization directly translates into more effective leadership and program development in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Diversity and Inclusion Manager

Human Resources Business Partner

A Human Resources Business Partner (HRBP) aligns HR practices with business objectives, often acting as a consultant on people-related issues. An HRBP supports diversity and inclusion initiatives within their assigned business units. The Ally Up course will benefit the work of a Human Resources Business Partner by equipping them with strategies for fostering allyship and creating a more inclusive workplace culture. Knowing how to facilitate conversations about diversity, address biases, and promote understanding between employees, as taught in this course, allows an HRBP to more effectively support both employees and management in creating a fair and equitable environment. Furthermore, its focus on action-oriented strategies is directly applicable to real-world HR challenges.

See salaries and explore the career path for Human Resources Business Partner

Corporate Social Responsibility Manager

A Corporate Social Responsibility Manager develops and implements an organization's CSR strategy, focusing on ethical and sustainable practices. This role often involves promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. The Ally Up course prepares a CSR Manager by providing insights into how to integrate allyship principles into CSR programs and create a more inclusive and socially responsible organization. The course's focus on action-oriented strategies can empower a CSR Manager to create impactful and equitable initiatives that benefit both the organization and its stakeholders.

See salaries and explore the career path for Corporate Social Responsibility Manager

Training and Development Specialist

A Training and Development Specialist creates and delivers training programs to enhance employee skills and knowledge. Given that a key focus is professional development, this role involves designing and implementing DEI training programs. The Ally Up course helps a Training and Development Specialist by providing them with the knowledge and tools to develop effective allyship training programs. Understanding the principles of allyship, as covered in this course, enables the specialist to create impactful training modules that promote inclusivity and address biases within the workplace. Its focus on communication, empathy, and action-oriented strategies is directly useful in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Training and Development Specialist

Leadership Development Coach

A Leadership Development Coach works with individuals and teams to enhance their leadership skills and effectiveness. They focus on areas like communication, emotional intelligence, and strategic thinking. The Ally Up course will benefit a Leadership Development Coach by providing insights into how to promote inclusive leadership practices, address biases, and foster allyship within organizations. The course's focus on inner work, communication, and action-oriented strategies will help a coach guide leaders in creating more inclusive and equitable workplaces.

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Employee Relations Specialist

An Employee Relations Specialist focuses on fostering positive relationships between employees and management, addressing workplace issues, and ensuring fair treatment. This role requires strong communication, mediation, and conflict-resolution skills. The Ally Up course helps as it provides insights into how to navigate difficult conversations, address biases, and promote understanding between individuals from different backgrounds. The course's emphasis on empathy, establishing trust, and reducing defensiveness applies directly to an Employee Relations Specialist's responsibilities in mediating disputes and fostering a more inclusive workplace culture.

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Change Management Consultant

A Change Management Consultant guides organizations through periods of transition and transformation, helping them adapt to new strategies, processes, or technologies. An important aspect of their role is to ensure that these changes are implemented in a way that is inclusive and equitable. The Ally Up course prepares a Change Management Consultant by providing insights into how to engage diverse stakeholders. The course's emphasis on communication, trust-building, and disrupting the status quo positions a change management consultant to create lasting improvements.

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Community Organizer

A Community Organizer works to mobilize and empower community members to address local issues and advocate for change. This role often involves working with diverse groups of people and building coalitions. A Community Organizer will benefit from the Ally Up course. It provides insights into how to build effective partnerships, address power imbalances, and foster inclusivity within community initiatives. The course's emphasis on communication, trust-building, and disrupting the status quo can empower a Community Organizer to create more impactful and equitable community-led change.

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Recruiter

As a Recruiter, one is responsible for attracting, sourcing, and hiring talent for an organization. This involves promoting diversity and inclusion throughout the recruitment process. The Ally Up course prepares a Recruiter by providing insights into how to identify and address biases in hiring practices, create inclusive job descriptions, and build relationships with diverse candidate pools. Understanding the principles of allyship helps a recruiter foster a more equitable and inclusive hiring process, ensuring that all candidates have a fair opportunity.

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Social Worker

Social workers provide support and advocacy for individuals and communities, often working to address social inequalities and promote social justice. Social workers need a deep understanding of diversity, equity, and inclusion principles. A social worker may find the Ally Up course useful as it offers strategies for understanding power dynamics, addressing biases, and fostering allyship in various contexts. The course's focus on inner work, communication, and action-oriented strategies helps a social worker more effectively advocate for marginalized groups and promote positive change in their communities.

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Ombudsperson

An Ombudsperson serves as a neutral and impartial party within an organization, addressing concerns and mediating disputes. This role requires strong communication and conflict resolution skills. If one is an Ombudsperson, then the Ally Up course may be useful by providing insights into how to navigate difficult conversations and promote understanding between individuals from different backgrounds. The course's emphasis on empathy, psychological safety, and reducing defensiveness directly applies to an Ombudsperson's responsibilities in mediating disputes and fostering a more inclusive and respectful workplace culture. The sections on establishing trust can be particularly relevant.

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Mediator

A mediator is a professional who facilitates communication between disputing parties to help them reach a mutually acceptable resolution. Mediators need to be able to create a safe and inclusive environment for all parties involved. The Ally Up course may be useful for a mediator by equipping them with strategies for understanding different perspectives, addressing biases, and fostering empathy between individuals. The course's focus on communication, trust-building, and navigating difficult conversations is particularly relevant in helping a mediator guide parties toward resolution in a fair and equitable manner.

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Customer Success Manager

A Customer Success Manager focuses on building strong relationships with customers, ensuring they achieve their desired outcomes using a company’s products or services. To do this, they need to be adept at working with individuals from diverse backgrounds. The Ally Up course may be useful for a Customer Success Manager by equipping them with strategies for understanding different perspectives, addressing biases, and fostering empathy. The course's focus on communication and trust-building can enhance their ability to build strong, lasting relationships with customers from all backgrounds.

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Public Relations Specialist

A Public Relations Specialist manages an organization's communication and reputation, often working to build relationships with various stakeholders. In today's climate, this role also involves managing diversity and inclusion communications. The Ally Up course offers insights into how to communicate effectively across differences, address potential biases in messaging, and foster inclusivity in public relations efforts. Learning the best practices for fostering more inclusion and equity in partnership is a great skill for a Public Relations Specialist.

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Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Ally Up: How to Build and Activate Ally Partnerships.

So You Want to Talk About Race

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Provides a practical and accessible guide to understanding and practicing allyship. Oluo addresses common questions and concerns about allyship, offering concrete steps individuals can take to support marginalized groups. It's a valuable resource for anyone seeking to become a more effective ally and complements the course's focus on building ally partnerships. This book provides a strong foundation for the course.

So You Want to Talk About Race

Paperback

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So You Want to Talk About Race

Kindle Edition

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White Fragility

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Explores the defensiveness and resistance that white people often exhibit when confronted with issues of race and racism. Understanding white fragility is crucial for allies to effectively engage in conversations about race and work towards dismantling systemic inequalities. While potentially challenging, this book offers valuable insights for those committed to allyship. It provides additional depth to the course's section on inner work.

White Fragility: Why It's So Hard for White People...

Kindle Edition

Ally Up

How to Build and Activate Ally Partnerships

What's inside

Learning objectives

Syllabus

Traffic lights

Save this course

Reviews summary

Practical guide to workplace allyship

Activities

Career center

Reading list

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