How Seattle Times Achieved 97% Impact Through Inclusive Training
Industry
Journalism and Media
Location
Seattle, Washington
Solution
Inclusive Workplace Training and eLearning
Impact
Building Sustainable Inclusion
Live sessions and eLearning access provided a shared inclusive workplace vocabulary, practical tools, and flexible learning for all staff.
High Engagement Across All Sessions
91% of participants would recommend the training, and 97% found the content relevant and impactful across teams and roles.
Positive Participant Feedback
Attendees praised facilitators as engaging and culturally competent, and valued the mix of personal stories with actionable strategies.
The Seattle Times has been serving the Pacific Northwest for more than a century with award-winning, credible reporting. Dedicated to telling stories that inform and drive positive change, they focus on issues that impact local communities and shape public policy for the better. With 8.4 million unique visitors and 29 million page views each month, their reach reflects the deep trust they’ve built with their readers.
Recognizing the importance of inclusivity in sustaining a healthy workplace culture and producing meaningful journalism, the Seattle Times strives to create content where people from all walks of life can see themselves represented.
Challenge
In today’s rapidly changing media landscape, the Seattle Times understood that cultivating an inclusive culture is not just essential for internal collaboration, but also to ensure that their coverage reflects and serves the diverse communities their reporting reaches.
They wanted to provide their team with the tools to understand core inclusive workplace principles, address biases, and create an inclusive work environment. They also wanted to engage flexibly via live, interactive learning experiences paired with on-demand resources that employees could access anytime.
“At CultureAlly, we believe that sustainable inclusion, both globally and locally, starts with understanding.
Exertis focused on uncovering the stories their data was telling: stories of strength, opportunity, and the power of intentional change."
Action
CultureAlly designed a four-part virtual training series for Seattle Times, providing education on:
Multigenerational Workforces: Generational differences, age-based microaggressions, and inclusive language.
Disability Awareness: Etiquette, accessibility best practices, and allyship strategies.
Neurodiversity at Work: Inclusive communication, strength-based support, and workplace accommodations.
Psychological Safety: Establishing trust and safety, encouraging open dialogue, and taking risks without fear of negative consequences.
Each session featured interactive polls, lived-experience facilitation, take-home resources, and optional recordings for ongoing access.
Results
Following the training series, the Seattle Times is integrating inclusive workplace concepts into team collaboration, leadership communication, and onboarding processes. eLearning access has ensured that new hires receive the same foundational training, while session recordings and take-home resources allow staff to revisit concepts and apply them in their daily work.
CultureAlly continues to provide guidance to support their long-term inclusion goals across all teams.
CultureAlly worked with the Seattle Times to design and deliver a two-part learning solution:
Phase 1: Inclusive Workplace Training Series
The program included four 60-minute interactive virtual training sessions, each facilitated by experienced trainers with lived expertise in inclusivity topics. To keep participants actively engaged, sessions incorporated dynamic elements like polls, breakout discussions, and dedicated Q&A segments. Participants received comprehensive takeaway resources to support ongoing learning and provide tools for future reference.
Phase 2: eLearning Support
Employees received one-year access to CultureAlly’s Inclusive Workplace 101 eLearning modules, covering essential topics such as Inclusive Workplace Foundations, Unconscious Bias, Cultural Competency, and more. To ensure a smooth and effective rollout, the package also included admin functionality for user management, a tailored implementation plan, onboarding resources, and full access to CultureAlly’s eLearning support team.