The State of DEI

A Babes Helpin' Babes Workshop

Babes Helpin' Babes is a workplace diversity consulting firm focused on addressing, discussing, and solving issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in the creative industry.

In 2020 we experienced the covid pandemic, murder of George Floyd, and the rise of the Black Lives Matter movement. The combination of these events led to an increased focus on DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion), specifically within our workplaces.

In this class, Babe’s Helpin’ Babes consultants Abby Kallenbach and Maddy Best will:

Recap the meaning and history of DEI
Discuss the political and social climate around DEI today
Use data to understand how the commitment to DEI has evolved

Until DEI is a priority to our industries and companies, we will continue to see a homogenous workforce and products and services that do not reflect our consumers. After this class, attendees will have a better understanding of DEI work and what’s needed at an individual, company, and industry level to sustain real change.

We are offering two identical workshops to accommodate more people in smaller group sessions. Choose just one.

Day Four - April 25

Apr 25, 2025 | Workshop 1 @ 10:30am | Workshop 2 @ 1:30pm

Workshop 1 | 10:30am - 1:00pm
Check-in | 10:30am
Workshop Starts | 11:00am
Lunch Provided
Workshop 2 | 1:30 - 4:00pm
Check-in | 1:30pm
Workshop Starts | 2:00pm
Light Snacks Provided
Workshop 1 and Workshop 2 are the same!

Center for Architecture & Design
1801 McGee St, Ste 100
Kansas City , MO 64108
United States

$45 + fees online | no tickets sales at door

Buy Tickets

Presenters

Abby Kallenbach

Abby Kallenbach is a freelance designer, diversity consultant, and the founder of Babes

Helpin’ Babes. After earning her BFA in graphic design at Kansas State University, she started a career in advertising. Throughout her seven years in the industry, she saw a lack of women in leadership positions and a startling lack of Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) at every level. Nothing seemed to change and nobody wanted to talk about it.

To start conversation and create change, Abby founded Babes Helpin’ Babes. BHB works to call out injustices, challenge the status quo, and ensure that women and BIPOC are supported and represented in creative industries like marketing, advertising, architecture, and interior design.

Maddy Best

Maddy Best is a first-generation Vietnamese American designer that recently made the move from Kansas City to St. Louis. After earning her degree from the University of Central Missouri, Warrensburg, she went on to work as a UX/UI designer before making the pivot to freelancing. Now, she uses her multidisciplinary skills to serve small businesses, non-profits, artists, and musicians.

As a mixed queer person, Maddy felt a strong need to get involved in the DEI space early in her career. This led her to connect with Babes Helpin’ Babes, where she assists as a designer and consultant. Doing so has given her an outlet to not only learn more about DEI in the creative industry, but also a means to connect with others from similar and not-so-similar walks of life.