Equal Justice Society Mind Science Conference 2018

#M IN DS C IE NC E 2 018

FI GH TI NG RACIS M AN D OTH ER FORMS OF BIAS : WH AT’S WORKIN G!?

EQUAL JUSTICE SOCIETY’S MIND SCIENCE CONFERENCE JUNE 22-23, 2018 OAKLAND MARRIOTT CITY CENTER

INFORMATION FOR ATTENDEES CONFERENCE ADDRESS Oakland Marriott City Center 1001 Broadway, Oakland, CA 94607 ON-SITE ASSISTANCE Conference staff are on site to provide assistance, information, or support at any time during the conference. Please feel free to approach anyone with badges labeled “Staff” or “Volunteers”.

FEEDBACK Please share with us your feedback on the conference via email to mmale@equaljusticesociety.org or by voicemail at 415-288-8708.

POST-CONFERENCE MATERIALS Following the conference, we will have digital audio available of all panels available at http://equaljusticesociety.org/mindscience. The audio may exclude portions of presentations that are embargoed or proprietary.

SOCIAL MEDIA EJS is on Twitter @equaljustice. We will have Twitter usernames of panelists posted on http://equaljusticesociety.org/mindscience.

Our conference hashtag is #MindScience2018.

FILMING Extended video recording or filming, including on social media, is not allowed during our conference. Some of our presenters may be sharing embargoed or proprietary information.

ACCESSIBILITY If you require services for accessibility or mobility, please see any of our staff at the registration desk.

WEBSITE This program booklet and other resource materials will be posted on our conference website at http://equaljusticesociety.org/mindscience.

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WE LCOM E White supremacy and xenophobic views against immigrants of color are fueling the political and cultural agenda of those currently in power.

Corporations are profiting off the backs and bodies of Black and Latino people. It seems that every morning we wake up to something new and more appalling.

What are people of good conscience to do? We are here together at this conference to help answer that question. Building upon last year’s Resilience of Racism conference, we are expanding our analysis and inquiry beyond implicit bias, to consider different causes and manifestations of bias as part of a spectrum of discrimination.

Thank you for being with us at this important gathering to explore how mind science can help us understand and deal with the many faces of racism. I would like to express our deep gratitude to those that made this conference possible, especially Prof. Henry Hecht and The Henry Hecht L. Hecht Family Fund, the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, The California Wellness Foundation, The California Endowment, and Open Society Foundations; Melissa Male, our conference coordinator, along with Anna Basallaje and Christopher Bridges; the staff at the Oakland Marriott, and all the folks who are volunteering throughout these two days. Your support and efforts made this conference possible!

#mindscience2018 ďťż3

AG E NDA June 22nd -- Day 1 Agenda REGISTRATION (Skyline Room, 21st floor) 9:00 – 9:45 AM

OPENING KEYNOTE (Skyline Room, 21st floor) Eva Paterson, President, Equal Justice Society

9:45 - 10:00 AM

BREAK

PLENARY SESSION #1 – Practitioner & Expert Round Table (Skyline Room, 21st floor) 10:00 – 11:45 AM Roundtable discussing explicit and implicit biases, grounding language, and interplay between mind science and white supremacy, what practical steps they’ve found to be working, if anything at all.

Facilitator: Nancy Dome, Epoch Education Rudy Mendoza-Denton, UC Berkeley Jason Okonofua, UC Berkeley Arlene Mayerson, Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund (DREDF) 11:45 - 12:45 PM LUNCH (Provided) - Skyline Room, 21st floor Breakout #1 – Reducing Bias in Tech & Employment (Skyline Room, 21st floor) 12:45 - 2:30 PM How do we reduce bias in tech and employment?

Facilitator: Darlene Flynn, City of Oakland George Hofstetter, teenage tech genius/entrepreneur Jocelyn Garibay, Code2040 Lisa Gelobter, tEQuitable Beth Hodess, Attorney Breakout #2 – Dealing With Our Nonprofit “Ish”! (OCC Room 202 – 2nd floor) 12:45 - 2:30 PM How do we address the biases we perpetuate in the nonprofit/ civil rights arenas with self-described allies and social justice dogooders?

Facilitator: Chris Bridges, Equal Justice Society Gillian Sonnad, OneJustice Tirien Steinbach, East Bay Community Law Center Bill Kennedy, Attorney Jessica Redditt, Bay Area Legal Aid 4  @equaljustice

2:30 - 2:45 PM

BREAK

Breakout #3: Reducing Bias in Healthcare/Medicine (OCC Room 202 – 2nd floor) 2:45 – 4:30 PM A discussion on reducing bias in healthcare/medicine.

Facilitator: Mona Tawatao, Western Center on Law & Poverty Silvia Yee, Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund (DREDF) Kate Kendell, National Center for Lesbian Rights Dr. Ronald Copeland, Kaiser Permanente Tố Như (Lotus) Đào, Gender Health SF, San Francisco Department of Public Health Breakout #4: Reducing Bias in Housing (OCC Room 203 – 2nd floor) 2:45 – 4:30 PM A discussion on reducing bias in housing.

Facilitator: Allison Elgart, Equal Justice Society Leslie Proll, Civil Rights Attorney Maeve Elise Brown, Housing and Economic Rights Advocates Hannah Kim, Legal Assistance to the Elderly (LAE) Breakout #5: Weaponizing Implicit Bias (Skyline Room, 21st floor) 2:45 – 4:30 PM A discussion on Cambridge Analytica, law enforcement, and other ways conscious and unconscious biases are used to weaponize hate and discrimination, especially for the benefit of Trump’s presidency and our current political climate of dysfunction.

Facilitator: Dr. Roberto Gonzalez, San Jose State University Eva Paterson, Equal Justice Society Yeshimabeit “Yeshi” Milner, Data for Black Lives 4:30 - 4:45 PM

BREAK

4:45 PM - 5:00 PM

CLOSING REMARKS FOR DAY 1 (Skyline Room, 21st floor)

#mindscience2018 5

June 23rd Day 2 Agenda PLENARY SESSION #2 – Responding to Assaults on Implicit Bias (Skyline Room, 21st floor) 9:00 – 10:30 AM Discussion on how to respond to assaults on implicit bias, debunking arguments, and how implicit bias doesn’t address racism.

Facilitator: Hon. Bernice Donald, United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit Nancy Dome, Epoch Education Rachel Godsil, Perception Institute Margaret Russell, Santa Clara University Jerry Kang, UCLA 10:30 - 10:45 AM BREAK Breakout #6 – Reducing Bias in the Criminal Justice System (OCC Room 203–2nd floor) 10:45AM - 12:00 Discussion on strategies for reducing implicit bias in the criminal PM justice system and the court room.

Facilitator: Lisa Holder, Civil Rights Attorney Hon. Mark W. Bennett, U.S. District Court, Northern District of Iowa George Gascon, District Attorney for the City and County of San Francisco William Snowden, The Juror Project Jack Glaser, UC Berkeley Breakout #7: Mindbugs: Debugging Implicit Bias Through Storytelling (Skyline Room, 21st floor) 10:45 AM – 12:00 A discussion on how images and visual storytelling, rather than PM narratives about implicit bias and values, may be an effective tool in dismantling implicit bias.

Facilitator: Shakti Butler, World Trust Educational Services Kim Clark, Educator Owen Kent, Filmmaker/Disability Activist Sysamone Phaphon, FilmHero Villy Wang, BAYCAT

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12:00 PM - 1:00 PM LUNCH (Provided) - Skyline Room, 21st floor Breakout #8 – Reducing Bias in Education (OCC Room 203–2nd floor) 1:00PM- 2:15 PM

Discussing strategies that may help reduce bias in K-12 education.

Facilitator: Michael Harris, National Center for Youth Law Arlene Mayerson, Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund (DREDF) Nancy Dome, Epoch Education Edward Fergus, Temple University

Breakout #9 – Mind Science in the 2016 Elections and Beyond (Skyline Room, 21st floor) 1:00PM- 2:15 PM Assessing the role mind science has played in the 2016 elections and how it can be used in the future.

Facilitator: Eva Paterson, Equal Justice Society Hon. Bernice Donald, United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit Celinda Lake, Lake Research Partners Roberto González, San Jose State University 2:15 PM - 2:30 PM

BREAK

Engineering Change Through the Arts: Healing Justice (Film) - Skyline Room, 21st floor 2:30 PM – 4:00 PM “Healing Justice” film screening and discussion with Shakti Butler, Founder & President, World Trust Educational Services.

4:00 PM - 4:15 PM

BREAK

Conference Review and Reflections - Skyline Room, 21st floor 4:15 PM – 5:00 PM Conference review and reflections.

#mindscience2018 7

FUNDE R S #MINDSCIENCE2018

This conference is made possible through generous grants from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, The Henry L. Hecht Family Fund, The California Wellness Foundation, The California Endowment, and Open Society Foundations.

The W.K. Kellogg Foundation (WKKF), founded in 1930 as an independent, private foundation by breakfast cereal pioneer, Will Keith Kellogg, is among the largest philanthropic foundations in the United States. Guided by the belief that all children should have an equal opportunity to thrive, WKKF works with communities to create conditions for vulnerable children so they can realize their full potential in school, work and life.

The Henry L. Hecht Family Fund was founded in 2011 by Henry Hecht to honor the memory of his parents who taught him the importance of charitable giving by their example. The Fund supports organizations that examine the root causes of inequalities and that address the needs of the socioeconomically disadvantaged.

The conference is funded in part by a grant from The California Wellness Foundation (Cal Wellness). Created in 1992 as a private independent foundation, Cal Wellness’ mission is to improve the health of the people of California by making grants for health promotion, wellness education and disease prevention.

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S PE A K E R S #MINDSCIENCE2018

SPECIAL THANK YOU TO ALL OF OUR CONFERENCE SPEAKERS LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR SPEAKERS IN THE NEXT SECTION TWITTER USERNAMES OF PANELISTS ARE POSTED ON HTTP://EQUALJUSTICESOCIETY.ORG/MINDSCIENCE

SOME BIOS WERE ABBREVIATED DUE TO SPACE RESTRICTIONS COMPLETE BIOS OF ALL PANELISTS ARE POSTED ON HTTP://EQUALJUSTICESOCIETY.ORG/MINDSCIENCE

#mindscience2018 9

MARK BENNETT

CHRIS BRIDGES

MAEVE ELISE BROWN

JUDGE, U.S. DISTRICT COURT

EQUAL JUSTICE SOCIETY

HOUSING AND ECONOMIC RIGHTS ADVOCATES

Mark W. Bennett is in his 24th year as a

Chris Bridges is a graduate of North-

Maeve Elise Brown is Executive Director

U.S. district judge in the N.D. of Iowa. He

eastern University School of Law. He

and a founder of Housing and Economic

was in private practice in Des Moines,

also holds an MS in Criminal Justice

Rights Advocates (HERA), a unique,

Iowa, from 1975 to 1991, having started

from Michigan State University and a BS

California statewide non-profit law office

his own law firm upon graduation from

in Political Science and BA in Criminal

with a broad, economic justice/anti-

the Drake University Law School in 1975.

Justice, both from North Carolina Central

discrimination mission. She applies her

For sixteen and a half years, he practiced

University. Chris began his legal career in

creative, outside-the-box thinking to her

primarily as a civil rights and criminal

2012 with the ACLU of Northern Califor-

management and guidance of HERA’s op-

defense lawyer appearing in more than

nia as the Racial Justice Project Fellow,

erations and growth. A graduate of UCLA

30 federal district courts, several of the

where he worked on school to prison

Law School, Ms. Brown’s experience as a

courts of appeals and the United States

pipeline issues as a member of the Edu-

public interest attorney includes litigation

Supreme Court. He argued his first case

cation Equity team. He began his work at

and administrative advocacy on behalf

in the Supreme Court less than four years

the Equal Justice Society in Oakland as

of tenants and homeowners, public

out of law school. He had three more

the Butler Koshland Fellow and was later

benefits advocacy, community organiz-

cert. petitions granted before he was

hired full time to focus his advocacy on

ing, fair housing advocacy, community

32. He has taught at both law schools in

school discipline and education issues as

workshops, and trainings and technical

Iowa, the University of Hawaii William

well as inequities within the criminal jus-

assistance for professionals across a

S. Richardson School of Law, and the

tice system. To aid in these efforts, Chris

range of topics. Ms. Brown has organized

University of Nebraska College of Law.

is using social science, structural analysis,

and opened a community development

In the past eight years, he has authored

and real life experiences to help broaden

credit union, designed and has designed

24 law review articles, including four on

conceptions of present-day discrimina-

and taught a course on mortgage lend-

implicit bias in the legal profession and

tion to include implicit bias.

ing and homeownership at UC Berkeley

five on federal sentencing issues. He has

School of Law. For 5 years, she served

been involved in educating more than

on the Consumer Financial Protection

2500 state and federal trial and appel-

Bureau’s Consumer Advisory Board (CAB)

late judges on implicit bias from Alaska to

which she chaired in her final year. She

Florida, and Maine to California. He was

has worked on local, state and federal

the first trial judge in the nation to both

policy initiatives and has driven critically

instruct and discuss implicit bias with

important policy forward, including most

jurors. He has authored numerous other

recently, the Survivors’ Bill of Rights

articles, most often about judging and

legislation for which she was the primary

trial lawyers, is the co-author of a treatise

drafter.

on employment law, and has spoken at more than 500 CLE programs in 39 states and several foreign countries.

10  @equaljustice

SHAKTI BUTLER

KIM CLARK

RONALD COPELAND

WORLD TRUST EDUCATIONAL SERVICES

EDUCATOR

KAISER PERMANENTE

Shakti Butler, PhD, visionary, filmmaker,

Kim E. Clark JD is an inspirational force

Ronald L. Copeland, MD, FACS, is senior

transformative learning educator, wife,

and dynamic educator who brings a new

vice president of National Equity, Inclu-

mother, grandmother and friend to many

approach to critical race theory, spiritual-

sion, and Diversity strategy and policy

- is President and Founder of World Trust

ity and social transformation. Her paper

and chief equity, inclusion, and diversity

Educational Services, Inc., a non-profit

“Critical Race Theory, Transformation

officer for Kaiser Permanente. Through

transformative educational organization.

and Praxis.” Sw. L. Rev. 45 (2015): 795,

multiple collaborations, he leads Kaiser

Rooted in love and justice, World Trust

tells of how she developed her method

Permanente’s program-wide efforts to

produces films, curricula, workshops and

while a Changemaker Research Fellow

ensure our strategic vision for equity,

programs that are catalysts for institu-

at Pacific School of Religion, an Ashoka

inclusion, and diversity is successfully

tional, structural and cultural change.

Changemaker University campus. Ms.

implemented to drive strategic business

Shakti is an inspirational speaker, facilita-

Clark engages audiences with energetic

and mission outcomes, empower com-

tor, trainer and lecturer who is sought

workshops where she shares her meth-

munities we serve, and result in all Kaiser

after by schools, universities, public and

odology with legal and social change

Permanente members achieving health

private organizations, and faith-based

organizations seeking broader support for

and health care outcomes that are high

institutions. Dr. Butler has produced five

their legal social justice goals while stay-

quality, equitable, and increasingly more

documentaries. The first four form the

ing true to their highest human potential.

affordable. Dr. Copeland is a member of

core of World Trust’s teaching tools and

Her work has emerged from years of

Kaiser Permanente’s Executive Equity,

have experienced increased exposure

engagement with spiritual communities

Inclusion, and Diversity Council, a group

-- 23 million views of one clip alone --

and practices and from her commitment

composed of the Chairman/CEO and

generating national dialogue and critical

to social justice. Kim invites her audi-

other C-level leaders who oversee execu-

thinking that is impacting institutions and

ence to grapple with the intricacies of in-

tive accountability for embedding the

communities across the country. These

justice with its intellectual and emotional

equity, inclusion, and diversity strategy

are The Way Home; Mirrors of Privilege:

complexities and their interplay with the

throughout the organization. Addition-

Making Whiteness Visible; Light in the

transdisciplinarity of race, sexual orienta-

ally, he is chair of the Kaiser Permanente

Shadows and Cracking the Codes: The

tion, class, and spirituality. As a social en-

National Equity, Inclusion and Diversity

System of Racial Inequity. Shakti has

trepreneur with solutions to social prob-

Council, which advises, advocates for,

just finished and premiered Healing

lems and who seeks to make large-scale

and monitors the successful implementa-

Justice, intended to popularize a national

changes to society, Ms. Clark collabora-

tion of the equity, inclusion, and diversity

conversation about justice, responsibility,

tively assesses the possibility and design

strategy and policy recommendations.

and healing. She also served as diversity

of critical alliances. As a leader in social

A board-certified general surgeon, Dr.

consultant and advisor on the Oscar-

innovation and changemaking in higher

Copeland joined Kaiser Permanente in

winning Disney animated film, Zootopia,

education, she creates a unity of natural,

1988 after a six-year honorable tour of

which focuses on challenging bias and

social and health sciences in a humanities

duty in the United States Air Force Medi-

systemic inequity.

context, to create an approach to solving

cal Corps.

systemic and institutional global inequity. #mindscience2018 11

LOTUS ĐÀO

NANCY DOME

BERNICE DONALD

GENDER HEALTH SF

EPOCH EDUCATION

JUDGE, U.S. COURT OF APPEALS, SIXTH CIRCUIT

Tố Như (Lotus) Đào (all pronouns) is the

Dr. Nancy Dome has been supporting

The Honorable Bernice B. Donald, a Cir-

Senior Behavioral Health Clinician with

children to overcome institutional and

cuit Judge on the United States Court of

Gender Health SF of the San Francisco

systemic barriers and developing educa-

Appeals for the Sixth Circuit was appoint-

Department of Public Health, the first

tors for over 20 years. Starting her career

ed by President Barack Obama in 2011,

and only program that directly serves

as a Child Care Worker, she has worked

received her law degree from the Univer-

poor and undocumented adults seeking

through the ranks as a classroom teacher,

sity of Memphis School of Law, a Masters

gender-related procedures in the country.

teacher leader, college professor, and

in Judicial Studies from Duke University,

Lotus offers pre-surgical assessments

now co-founder of Epoch Education.

and an honorary Doctors in Law from

and peer navigation for medical transi-

Epoch Education’s primary charge is to

Suffolk University. Prior to appointment

tion, specializing in adults with significant

provide current, accessible and transfor-

to the U.S. Court of Appeals, she served

mental health needs. Lotus is involved in

mational Professional Development for

on the U.S. District Court. She is cur-

developing best clinical practice stan-

educators and students on the topics of

rently Chair of the American Bar Associa-

dards for treating gender dysphoria and

Equity, Critical Race Theory, and Cultur-

tion (“ABA”) Center for Human Rights.

advocating for increased Medi-Cal access

ally Relevant Teaching and Learning to

Judge Donald is a contributing author for

to gender-related procedures. Lotus also

support the development of the neces-

an implicit bias resource book for judges

founded and continues to organize with

sary cultural competencies needed to

and practitioners, Enhancing Justice:

Bloom: Transgender Community Healing

effectively respond to our ever diversify-

Reducing Bias. She served as Chair of

Project, a peer and volunteer-based or-

ing world. The workshops, keynotes,

the ABA Criminal Justice Section, focus-

ganization working to promote a culture

online courses, and trainings utilize

ing on implicit bias, children of incarcer-

of wellness in trans and non-binary com-

myriad modalities to ensure content is

ated parents, mass incarceration, and the

munities. Bloom organizes peer-to-peer

accessible to all ages, gently supports

collateral consequences of incarceration.

holistic health-focused events and offers

stepping into discomfort on hard topics,

Judge Donald has presented on the topic

professional consultation.

and calls for deep personal reflection. Dr.

of implicit bias at numerous institutions

Dome co-created the RIR Protocol, which

including, Third Circuit Judicial Confer-

through the Epoch Conversations Start-

ence, Fordham Law, and Yale Law. Judge

ers provides concrete steps to practice

Donald served as faculty at the National

interrupting dysfunctional systems and

Judicial College, Federal Judicial Cen-

negative behavior through Compassion-

ter, the Judge Advocate General’s Legal

ate Dialogue using the steps of Recog-

Center & School, the National Advocacy

nize It, Interrupt It, and Repair It.

Center, and for the Federal Magistrate Judges Conference. She served as faculty for international programs in over 20 countries.

12  @equaljustice

ALLISON ELGART

EDWARD FERGUS

DARLENE FLYNN

EQUAL JUSTICE SOCIETY

TEMPLE UNIVERSITY

CITY OF OAKLAND

Allison Elgart is the Legal Director of the

Edward Fergus is Assistant Professor of

Darlene Flynn began her career in public

Equal Justice Society. Before joining EJS,

Urban Education at Temple University.

service with the City of Seattle, doing

Allison was an associate in the San Fran-

Edward is a former high school teacher,

policy development and constituent

cisco office of Lieff Cabraser Heimann

evaluator, and community school pro-

services for then Councilmember and

& Bernstein, LLP, primarily focusing on

gram director. Dr. Fergus’ current work is

Land Use Chair, James Street. Following

consumer protection and employment

on the intersection of educational policy

opportunities to work for Seattle Public

class action litigation. Allison is a gradu-

and outcomes with a specific focus on

Utilities and Department of Neighbor-

ate of Harvard Law School, where she

Black and Latino boys’ academic and

hoods, she joined the Seattle Office for

was the Editor-in-Chief of the Harvard

social engagement outcomes, dispropor-

Civil Rights. There she was an early

Civil Rights-Civil Liberties Law Review

tionality in special education and suspen-

program architect, and was the Policy

and worked as a student attorney at the

sions, and school climate conditions. He

and Capacity Building Lead from the in-

Harvard Legal Aid Bureau, representing

has published numerous articles and is

ception of their ground breaking Race &

low-income clients in housing, domestic,

the author of Skin Color and Identity For-

Social Justice Initiative. In this position,

immigration and benefits cases. She has

mation: Perceptions of Opportunity and

she provided strategic planning, policy

degrees in Public Policy and Psychology

Academic Orientation among Mexican

design, implementation and training sup-

from Brown University. Allison has given

and Puerto Rican Youth (Routledge Press,

port to the initiative focused on ending

MCLE presentations on implicit bias and

2004), co-editor of Invisible No More:

institutional racism in City government.

the law to attorneys through nonprofit

Disenfranchisement of Latino Men and

Darlene also served four years, 2003 –

organizations, the Bar Association of

Boys (Routledge Press, 2011), co-author

2007 on the Seattle School Board and on

San Francisco, and the ABA. Allison has

of Schooling For Resilience: Improving

its Executive committee, first as the At-

co-authored numerous amicus briefs on

Trajectory of Black and Latino boys (Har-

large member and then as Vice President.

behalf of sociologists, social scientists,

vard Education Press, 2014) and author

In 2016 Darlene accepted the position

and legal scholars regarding implicit bias

of Solving Disproportionality and Achiev-

of Director of the new Department of

in housing-related cases before the U.S.

ing Equity (Corwin Press, 2016). He has

Race and Equity in Oakland California,

Supreme Court, including Mount Holly

worked with over 65 school districts

where she is currently applying her years

v. Mt. Holly Gardens Citizens in Action

since 2004 on educational equity and

of experience public policy and equity

and Texas Department of Housing and

school reform. Fergus serves on boards

expertise to lead and support Oakland’s

Community Affairs v. The Inclusive Com-

such as NY State Governor’s Juvenile

efforts to create a more just and equi-

munities Project, Inc. In addition, Allison

Justice Advisory Group (2010-present),

table city.

has co-authored “Lessons from Mt. Holly:

appointed in 2011 to the Yonkers Public

Leading Scholars Demonstrate Need for

Schools Board of Education (2011-2013),

Disparate Impact Standard to Combat

and is an expert consultant for the U.S.

Implicit Bias” in the Hastings Race &

Dept. of Justice Civil Rights Division on

Poverty Law Journal.

Educational Opportunities (2014-present) and NAACP Legal Defense Fund. #mindscience2018 13

JOCELYN GARIBAY

GEORGE GASCÓN

LISA GELOBTER

CODE2040

DISTRICT ATTORNEY, SAN FRANCISCO

TEQUITABLE

Jocelyn Garibay is the Director of

George Gascón is the District Attorney

Lisa Gelobter is the Founder and CEO of

Code2040’s Company Culture Transfor-

for the City and County of San Francisco.

tEQuitable, an independent, confiden-

mation program that envisions a world

He is the first Latino to hold the office

tial platform to address issues of bias,

in which workplaces center their Black

in San Francisco and the nation’s first

harassment, and discrimination in the

and Latinx employees’ experiences when

police chief to become District Attorney.

workplace. Most recently, she worked

designing solutions, policies, processes,

Since his appointment in January 2011,

at the White House, in the U.S. Digital

and systems. Where our joy, brilliance,

Gascón has earned a national reputa-

Service, serving as the Chief Digital

history, accomplishments are celebrated

tion as a visionary in criminal justice

Service Officer for the Department of

and amplified for the whole industry

reform. Throughout his tenure, he has

Education. Previously, Lisa acted as the

to see and feel. Our team is small (but

implemented out-of-the-box solutions

Chief Digital Officer for BET Networks

mighty!) focusing on building company

to build a public safety model predicated

and was a member of the senior manage-

culture transformation in the innovation

on reducing and preventing crime. Such

ment team for the launch of Hulu. With

economy through intentional train-

initiatives include trailblazing the global

25 years in the industry and products

ing strategies and consulting. Prior to

effort known as the Secure Our Smart-

that have been used by billions of people,

Code2040, Jocelyn has been an internal

phones Initiative that resulted in SB 962

Lisa has a deep and proven track record

Equity & Inclusion champion in both the

and the drastic reduction in robberies

in software. She has worked on several

tech and non profit sector. Working at

involving smartphones to pioneering in-

pioneering Internet technologies, includ-

Change.org she led their first Diversity

novative platforms such as the Alterna-

ing Shockwave, Hulu, and the ascent of

& Inclusion initiative focused on building

tive Sentencing Program, Crime Strate-

online video. Lisa’s experience ranges

more inclusive recruiting practices and

gies Unit, and the Young Adult Court.

from small, entrepreneurial startups to

designing spaces for employees to sit in

With the same conviction, Gascón has

large, established organizations. She has

conversations about race and privilege.

taken substantial steps to reduce over-

an expansive background in strategy

At the Human Rights Campaign support-

incarceration, creating Neighborhoods

development, business operations, user-

ing their first company-wide Diversity

Courts, the San Francisco Sentencing

centered design, product management,

& Inclusion assessment while rolling out

Commission, and Make it Right. He was

and engineering. Lisa brings consumer

an Employee Resource Group structure

also a driving force behind Proposition

focus and transformative practice to

and unionizing staff for higher wages

36 and Proposition 47. More recently, he

bear in technology, media, and the social

and better overtime policies. Jocelyn is a

was the leading voice opposing the con-

sector. She is also proud to be a Black

queer, feminist, Aquarian, Latina. When

struction of a new jail in favor of more

Woman with a degree in Computer Sci-

she’s not dreaming of a racially equitable

resources towards mental health. In the

ence. Go STEM!

tech industry where Black and Brown

many positions Gascón has held through-

folks thrive, she’s probably off reading a

out his career he has always prioritized

book, dancing to house and soul tunes,

creating a fairer criminal justice system

doing some light community organizing,

for all.

or watching trashy TV with her partner.

14  @equaljustice

JACK GLASER

RACHEL GODSIL

UC BERKELEY

PERCEPTION INSTITUTE

Jack Glaser is a Professor and the As-

Rachel is the Director of Research and

sociate Dean at the Goldman School of

Co-Founder of Perception Institute

Public Policy at UC Berkeley. He joined

and Professor of Law and Chancellor’s

the Goldman School faculty in 2000, af-

Scholar at Rutgers Law School. She

ter receiving his Ph.D. in psychology from

collaborates with social scientists on

Yale University. Glaser is a social psy-

empirical research to identify the efficacy

chologist whose primary research interest

of interventions to address implicit bias,

is in stereotyping, prejudice, and dis-

racial anxiety, and stereotype threat. She

crimination. He studies these intergroup

regularly leads workshops and presen-

biases at multiple levels of analysis using

tations addressing the role of bias and

multiple methodologies. For example, he

anxiety associated with race, ethnicity,

investigates the unconscious operation

religion, and gender, focusing on educa-

of stereotypes and prejudice using com-

tion, criminal justice, health care, and the

puterized reaction time methods, and

work place. Godsil is a lead author of the

is investigating the implications of such

Perception Institute reports including

subtle forms of bias for law enforcement.

PopJustice Volume 3: Pop Culture, Per-

In addition to teaching and conducting

ceptions, and Social Change (2016): The

research at UC Berkeley, Professor Glaser

Science of Equality Volume 1: Addressing

is working with the Center for Polic-

Implicit Bias, Racial Anxiety, and Stereo-

ing Equity, and with support from the

type Threat in Education and Healthcare

National Science Foundation and Google.

(Perception Institute, 2014). She also

org, to develop a “National Justice Data-

co-authored amicus briefs on behalf of

base” of police stops and use of force in-

empirical social psychologists in both

cidents. His book, “Suspect Race: Causes

iterations of Fisher v. Texas and the Na-

and Consequences of Racial Profiling,”

tional Parent Teacher Association in the

was published by Oxford University Press

Parents Involved in Community Schools

in 2015.

v. Seattle School District litigation at the Supreme Court. She is a former Associate Director Counsel at the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund and has taught at Seton Hall Law School, the University of Pennsylvania School of Law, and NYU Law School.

#mindscience2018 15

MICHAEL HARRIS

BETH HODESS

GEORGE HOFSTETTER

NATIONAL CENTER FOR YOUTH LAWTIVIST

ATTORNEY

TECH ENTREPRENEUR

Michael Harris is Senior Director, Juvenile

Beth H. Hodess is a solo tax attorney

George Hofstetter developed “Cop Stop”,

Justice at the National Center for Youth

and mediator who specializes in tax

an app to help stay safe from police

Law (NCYL). At NCYL, Michael has

controversy, having come to the practice

brutality. George consulted with social

worked on reducing racial disparities in

of law at 54 after twenty-five years as

justice activists, civil rights attorneys,

statewide juvenile corrections systems,

a self-employed management consul-

sociologists and police chiefs to gain their

and he has worked on cases that chal-

tant. In addition, she is focused on tax

input. This was inspired by the murder of

lenge the “school-to-prison pipeline”

issues related to bankruptcy and divorce;

Trayvon Martin. George’s app and again

in Texas, Connecticut, and California.

nonprofits including unrelated business

his commitment to changing the world,

Additionally, he works on litigation to

income, private foundations and lobbying

gained national attention. George has

address implicit bias, and he has deliv-

activities; litigation involving violations

been featured, on Yahoo News with Katie

ered presentations to local and national

of the California Election Code and the

Couric, The Huffington Post, USA Today,

gatherings on the role implicit bias plays

Brown Act; litigation on behalf of inmates

Black Enterprise, The Root, BET, various

in decision-making within the school to

against government agencies and prison

local and national radio and television

prison pipeline and the juvenile justice

guards under 42 U.S.C. § 1983; litigation

networks, including the Golden State

system. Before joining NCYL, Michael

for failure to provide adequate medical

Warriors promotional public service

served as Deputy Director of the W.

care and violation of prisoner privacy

announcements and more. George has

Haywood Burns Institute, working to

rights; the school to prison pipeline,

been nominated and received various

reform juvenile justice systems. Michael

elder abuse and developing cooperative

awards, from the Equal Justice Society,

has worked in California, and Washington

assisted living facilities. She serves as

The Root as one of 25 futurists, The

to reduce racial disparities in the juvenile

vice-president of Chaparral Foundation

Black Global Honor Society, in addition

justice system using a collaborative

Nursing Home and was appointed as a

to local awards from Congresswoman

process to affect systemic reform. Prior

hearing officer to the Alameda County

Barbara Lee, and various high school

to Michael’s work at the Burns Institute,

Assessment Appeals Board by the

awards and more. George has also

he was a Staff Attorney and Assistant

Alameda County Board of Supervisors.

started his own tech company called

Director of the Lawyers’ Committee for

In addition, she is forming a nonprofit

George Hofstetter Technologies, Inc.

Civil Rights of the San Francisco Bay Area

focused on the school to prison pipeline.

George’s mission is to change the world’s

where he worked on a broad range of

She earned her J.D. in 2009 from Golden

perspective on race by using technology,

civil rights cases.

Gate University School of Law with High-

and he is committed to doing the work

est Honors, her LL.M. in Taxation in 2013

to help make that happen. Most recently

from Golden Gate University School of

George is hosting and co-producing a

Law, and her B.S. in Business Admin-

project that is sponsored by Capital One

istration, UC Berkeley, Haas School of

Dev Exchange, called UP to CODE vol. 1.

Business.

UP to CODE is a free mobile curriculum for middle schoolers that is focused on eliminating the digital divide.

16  @equaljustice

LISA HOLDER

ROBERTO GONZÁLEZ

JERRY KANG

ATTORNEY

SAN JOSE STATE UNIVERSITY

UCLA

Lisa Holder began her career as a criminal

Roberto Gonzalez is chair of the Depart-

Jerry Kang is Professor of Law, Professor

trial attorney in Los Angeles in 2000.

ment of Anthropology at San Jose State

of Asian American Studies, the inaugural

For five years, she provided skillful and

University. He is a sociocultural anthro-

Korea Times Endowed Chair, and UCLA’s

effective representation to hundreds of

pologist whose work focuses upon sci-

inaugural Vice Chancellor for Equity,

individuals in a wide range of criminal

ence, technology, and society; militarism

Diversity and Inclusion. A leading scholar

matters. She expanded her practice to

and culture; environmental anthropology,

on implicit bias and the law, Prof. Kang

include civil rights litigation in 2005, de-

and professional ethics. He has con-

has published more than a dozen articles

veloping expertise in cases involving em-

ducted ethnographic research in Latin

on the subject in leading journals includ-

ployment discrimination, police brutality,

America and the United States. Professor

ing the Harvard Law Review. He regularly

and international human rights abuses.

Gonzalez teaches courses on anthropo-

collaborates with leading experimental

Lisa Holder is a nationally recognized,

logical theory and methods, social and

social psychologists on wide-ranging

award-winning trial attorney who has

cultural controls, global processes, and

scholarly, educational, and advocacy

been identified as a “Super Lawyer” by

economic anthropology. He has pub-

projects. Recognized by both the UCLA

Los Angeles Magazine for four consecu-

lished many articles in academic journals,

law school and the entire University as

tive years. Ms. Holder is a recognized

newspapers, and periodicals including

the best teacher of the year, Prof. Kang

scholar and active member of the Bar.

the Los Angeles Times, The Progres-

is widely sought after as a speaker. Prof.

She teaches the Civil Rights Clinic at

sive, Chronicle of Higher Education, The

Kang graduated magna cum laude from

UCLA Law School and is an adjunct pro-

Ecologist, the San Francisco Chronicle,

both Harvard College (physics) and

fessor at Occidental College. Ms. Holder

and CounterPunch. Professor Gonzalez

Harvard Law School, where he was a

served on the Board of Directors for the

has also authored and co-edited several

supervising editor of the Harvard Law

Southern California ACLU for four years

books including: Zapotec Science: Farm-

Review. After clerking for the Ninth

and is currently Vice President of the

ing and Food in the Northern Sierra of

Circuit Court of Appeals, he started his

Board of Directors for the Child Care Law

Oaxaca (2001), Anthropologists in the

teaching career at UCLA in 1995 and has

Center. She is a member of the California

Public Sphere: Speaking Out on War,

visited at Georgetown, Harvard, and NYU

bar, the National Lawyer’s Guild and the

Peace, and American Power (2004),

law schools.

California Employment Lawyer’s Associa-

American Counterinsurgency: Human

tion. Ms. Holder graduated from New

Science and the Human Terrain (2009),

York University School of Law in 2000,

and Militarizing Culture: Essays on the

after obtaining a Bachelor of Arts degree

Warfare State (2010). His most recent

at Wesleyan University.

book is the co-edited volume Up, Down, and Sideways: Anthropologists Trace the Pathways of Power (2014). Professor Gonzalez also co-produced the documentary film Losing Knowledge: 50 Years of Change (2013). #mindscience2018 17

KATE KENDELL

BILL KENNEDY

OWEN KENT

NATIONAL CENTER FOR LESBIAN RIGHTS

ATTORNEY

FILMMAKER/ DISABILITY ACTIVIST

Kate Kendell leads the National Cen-

Bill Kennedy is the former Managing

Owen Kent is an actor, artist, and activist

ter for Lesbian Rights, a national legal

Attorney of Legal Services of Northern

with a focus on diversity and equity for

organization advancing the civil and

California in Sacramento. He has spent

the disability community within the me-

human rights of LGBTQ people and their

decades serving low-income families at

dia. Owen recently co-wrote and starred

families through litigation, public policy

California Rural Legal Assistance, Channel

in a feature film entitled Angels of Mercy.

advocacy, and public education. NCLR’s

Counties Legal Assistance and LSNC.

He currently serves as Vice Chair of the

legal, policy, and legislative victories

His has handled major litigation under

Alameda County IHSS Public Authority

set important precedents that improve

Title VII, Section 1983 challenges to

Advisory Board, and as Board Member of

the lives of all LGBTQ people and their

the police practices of the INS, Border

The Center for Independent Living (The-

families across the country. Kate grew up

Patrol and cases that examine the nexus

CIL), in Berkeley, CA. Owen is a graduate

Mormon in Utah and received her J.D.

between land use and civil rights. During

of UC Berkeley, where he received his

degree from the University of Utah Col-

the past 15 years, he has pursued the

B.A. in Film and Media Studies.

lege of Law in 1988. After a few years as

ideal of community-based practice that

a corporate attorney she was named the

seeks to create institutions of change

first staff attorney for the American Civil

soundly in the control of his clients. He

Liberties Union of Utah. In this capac-

has served as counsel to ACORN, The

ity, she oversaw the legal department of

Sacramento Valley Organizing Communi-

ACLU of Utah and directly litigated many

ty (an IAF affiliate) The Mutual Assistance

high-profile cases focusing on all aspects

Network of Del Paso Heights, Asian Re-

of civil liberties, including reproductive

sources, and many other neighborhood

rights, prisoners’ rights, church/state

organizations.

conflicts, free speech, and the rights of LGBTQ people. In 1994 she accepted the position as Legal Director with the National Center for Lesbian Rights and made the move to San Francisco. In 1996 Kate was named as NCLR’s Executive Director. In that capacity, she assists in the development of litigation and strategy, and is responsible for all aspects of agency operation. Under Kate’s leadership, NCLR won the California marriage equality case in 2008 and was later part of the team of attorneys to secure national marriage equality.

18  @equaljustice

HANNAH KIM

CELINDA LAKE

ARLENE MAYERSON

LEGAL ASSISTANCE TO THE ELDERLY

LAKE RESEARCH PARTNERS

DISABILITY RIGHTS EDUCATION AND DEFENSE FUND

Hannah C. Kim is a staff attorney at

Celinda Lake is a prominent pollster and

For over 35 years Arlene Mayerson has

Legal Assistance to the Elderly (LAE)

political strategist for progressives. She

been a leading attorney in disability

in San Francisco. In this capacity, Ms.

currently serves as President of Lake

rights law, including playing a key role

Kim practices landlord/tenant law with

Research Partners. Lake’s polling and

in drafting and negotiating the Ameri-

a focus on defending eviction cases

strategic advice has helped candidates

cans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and

brought against low-income seniors and

such as Jon Tester, Senator Debbie Sta-

amendments to the Individuals with

people with disabilities. Before joining

benow, and Governor Bob Wise defeat

Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), litigat-

LAE Ms. Kim also practiced housing law

incumbent Republicans and her expertise

ing precedent setting disability rights

at Asian Pacific Islander Legal Outreach

guided Senator Mark Begich to victory,

cases and teaching disability rights law.

in San Francisco where she focused on

making him the first Senate candidate in

Arlene B. Mayerson has been Directing

helping monolingual tenants navigate a

Alaska to oust the incumbent in 50 years.

Attorney of the Disability Rights Educa-

wide range of housing issues. She earned

She has focused on women candidates

tion and Defense Fund since 1981. In

her B.A. from University of Califor-

and women’s concerns, having worked

addition to her behind the scenes role

nia Los Angeles where she majored in

for Speaker Pelosi, Governor Janet

developing language for the provisions

Political Science and earned her J.D. at

Napolitano, Senator Debbie Stabenow,

of the ADA and its legislative history,

Georgetown University Law Center in

Senator Barbara Mikulski, Mayor Carolyn

Mayerson provided expert testimony

2015. At Georgetown, Ms. Kim worked

Goodman, Mayor Annise Parker, and over

before several Congressional committees

in a year-long clinic helping low-income

a dozen women to the House and Senate

with jurisdiction over the ADA and filed

tenants work toward home ownership

. Celinda worked for the largest indepen-

comments on the Department of Justice

through cooperatives and TOPA (Tenant

dent expenditure to take back the House

ADA regulations for over 500 disability

Opportunity to Purchase Act) in D.C. She

and has been a key player in campaigns

rights organizations. Mayerson has also

is admitted to practice law in the State of

launched by progressive groups such as

litigated historic disability rights cases,

California.

the AFL-CIO, SEIU, Sierra Club, Planned

including precedent for the inclusion of

Parenthood, Vote Vets, HRC, and EMILY’s

public school children with disabilities in

List. Lake co-authored the book What

general education classrooms, and the

Women Really Want with Republican

landmark Netflix decision that internet-

pollster Kellyanne Conway, which exam-

only businesses are covered by the ADA.

ines the way women are changing the

She has also provided representation,

political landscape in America, and she

consultation to counsel, and coordination

also served as pollster for Senator Joe

of amicus briefs on key disability rights

Biden’s 2008 presidential bid.

cases before the U.S. Supreme Court.

#mindscience2018 19

RUDY MENDOZA-DENTON

YESHIMABEIT MILNER

JASON OKONOFUA

UC BERKELEY

DATA FOR BLACK LIVES

Rodolfo Mendoza-Denton is professor of

Yeshimabeit “Yeshi” Milner is co-founder

Dr. Jason Okonofua is an assistant

psychology at the University of California,

and executive director of Data for Black

professor at the University of California,

Berkeley, where he is currently Richard

Lives. Raised in Miami, FL, Yeshimabeit

Berkeley. He earned his PhD at Stanford

and Rhoda Goldman Distinguished Pro-

began organizing against the school-to-

University under the guidance of Jennifer

fessor in the Division of Social Sciences.

prison pipeline at Power U Center for

Eberhardt, Gregory Walton, and Carol

He also serves as Associate Executive

Social Change as a high school senior.

Dweck. Jason’s research program exam-

Dean for Diversity and Inclusion in the

There she developed a lifelong commit-

ines social-psychological processes that

College of Letters and Science. Child-

ment to movement building as a vehicle

contribute to inequality. One context in

hood experiences living in Mexico, the

for creating and sustaining large-scale

which he has examined these processes

U.S., Ivory Coast, and Thailand cemented

social change. Yeshimabeit returned

is that of teacher-student relationships

an early interest in cultural differences

to Power U in 2013 to lead a victori-

and race disparities in disciplinary action.

and intergroup relations. He received his

ous campaign to improve breastfeeding

His research emphasizes the on-going

BA from Yale University and his PhD from

policies at the largest public hospital in

interplay between psychological/mindset

Columbia University. Mendoza-Denton’s

the country. More recently, she was a

processes that originate among teachers

professional work covers stereotyping

campaign manager at Color of Change,

(how stereotyping can influence disci-

and prejudice from the perspective of

where she spearheaded several major

pline) and students (how apprehension to

both target and perceiver, intergroup

national initiatives, including OrganizeFor,

bias can incite misbehavior) to examine

relations, as well as how these processes

the only online petition platform dedi-

causes for disproportionate discipline ac-

influence educational outcomes. He

cated to building the political voice of

cording to race. The intersection of these

received the UC Berkeley Chancellor’s

Black people, and a successful campaign

processes, Jason hypothesizes, under-

Award for Advancing Institutional Excel-

to remove Bill O’Reilly from television.

mines teacher-student relationships over

lence in 2015, and the University-wide

She has a BA from Brown University and

time, contributes to disproportionate

Distinguished Teaching Award in 2018.

serves on the board of the Highlander

discipline to racially stigmatized students,

Center in Tennessee.

and ultimately feeds the “school-to-

UC BERKELEY

prison” pipeline. By investigating basic processes that contribute to misinterpreted and misguided disrespect among teachers and students, he aims to develop novel interventions that empower teachers to reach their teaching goals and interventions that help students – especially racially stigmatized youth – succeed in school and reduce their risk of discipline problems.

20  @equaljustice

EVA PATERSON EQUAL JUSTICE SOCIETY

SYSAMONE PHAPHON

LESLIE PROLL CIVIL RIGHTS ATTORNEY

FILMHERO

Eva Jefferson Paterson is the President

Sysamone Phaphon is a social entrepre-

Leslie Proll is a civil rights lawyer in

and a co-founder of the Equal Justice

neur & advocate for diversity & inclu-

Washington, DC. Currently, she advises

Society. She previously served as Execu-

sion. She is the founder & CEO of the

the NAACP on federal judicial nomina-

tive Director of the Lawyers’ Committee

company; FilmHero. FilmHero creates

tions. She served as Director of the De-

for Civil Rights of the San Francisco Bay

screening tours for independent film-

partmental Office of Civil Rights for the

Area, where she was part of a broad co-

makers focused on using their film as a

U.S. Department of Transportation under

alition that won a groundbreaking lawsuit

tool to create a social impact or a social

President Obama, where she advised

that successfully desegregated the SFFire

movement. She has worked with Award

the Secretary of Transportation on civil

Department. Paterson has been co-

winning filmmakers like Michael Moore,

rights matters and ensured implementa-

counsel on several landmark lawsuits in

Firas Fayyad, Sarah Moshman. She is a

tion of civil rights laws and policies. For

support of affirmative action: the federal

catalyst for change for storytellers that

many years, she directed the Washington

lawsuit challenging California’s Prop.

want to spark dialogue and call to ac-

office of the NAACP Legal Defense &

209, and litigation against UC Berke-

tion with their compelling stories. She is

Educational Fund, where she developed

ley’s admissions policy limiting access to

also the co-founder of the professional

and implemented strategy on civil rights

students of color. Paterson has served as

women empowerment group-Women

legislation, monitored federal agency

co-counsel on numerous amicus briefs

Supporting Women, In SF. Her women’s

action involving civil rights, and evaluated

in significant cases such as Fisher v.

group has executed various diversity &

federal judicial nominations to ensure

University of Texas at Austin; Farrakhan

inclusion events with major partnerships

diversity, fairness, and independence.

v. Gregoire; and Grutter v. Bollinger. She

like Google, Yelp, Twilio & Runway to help

Ms. Proll has testified before Congress,

served as Vice President of the ACLU Na-

women thrive in tech. Her life goal is to

written articles and opinion pieces for

tional Board for eight years, and chaired

provide inspiration & the tools that any-

numerous national publications, and

the boards of Equal Rights Advocates and

one can harness into action to generate

appeared on television and radio. She

the San Francisco Bar Association. Pater-

more impactful businesses in society.

served as co-chair of the Fair Housing

son has received more than 50 awards,

Task Force of the Leadership Conference

including the Fay Stender Award from

on Civil and Human Rights, where she

the California Women Lawyers, Woman

helped to lead efforts to preserve the use

of the Year from the Black Leadership

of disparate impact under the Fair Hous-

Forum, the Earl Warren Civil Liber-

ing Act and strengthen the obligations of

ties Award from the ACLU of Northern

communities to affirmatively further fair

California, and the Alumni Award of Merit

housing. In 2003, she received the Con-

from Northwestern University, where she

gressional Black Caucus Chair’s Award.

received her B.A. and was elected the

Ms. Proll spent nearly ten years as a civil

university’s first African American student

rights lawyer in Birmingham, Alabama.

body president. Eva received her law degree from UC Berkeley Law. #mindscience2018 21

JESSICA REDDITT

MARGARET RUSSELL

WILLIAM SNOWDEN

BAY AREA LEGAL AID

SANTA CLARA UNIVERSITY

THE JUROR PROJECT

Jessica Redditt is a Staff Attorney and

Professor Margaret M. Russell is a co-

Will is the director of the Vera Institute

Project Coordinator of the Alameda

founder of the Equal Justice Society

of Justice—New Orleans office. In this

County SSI/SSDI Advocacy project at Bay

and former member of its first Board of

role, he continues and strengthens Vera’s

Area Legal Aid (BayLegal). Since March

Directors. She is the Associate Provost

existing partnerships with criminal justice

2014, Jessica has been providing direct

of Diversity and Inclusion at Santa Clara

actors and community leaders while iden-

legal services and public benefits advo-

University and a member of the law fac-

tifying new collaborative relationships

cacy to low-income clients with mental

ulty. An expert in constitutional law, civil

with government entities and community

and physical health disabilities. She

rights, and civil liberties, she serves on

organizations. The collaborations will

was instrumental in founding the Racial

the National Board of the American Civil

focus on improving criminal justice sys-

Justice Committee at BayLegal, which

Liberties Union (ACLU), as a member of

tems in the south. Prior to joining Vera,

aims to improve race relations within the

the American Law Institute (ALI), a mem-

Will was a public defender for five years

organization and promote racial justice

ber of the Bay Area legal advisory board

representing New Orleanians in all stages

principles across all areas of legal practice

of the American Constitution Society, a

of a case from arraignment to trial. Will

and employee recruitment, hiring, and re-

board member of the Tenpyozan (Soto

also developed a focus and specialization

tention. Prior to joining BayLegal, Jessica

Zen) Project and the Princeton Alum-

in advocacy around reforming the proce-

engaged in community-based advocacy

niCorps, and an advisory council member

dures, systems, and policies around jury

at the Oakland City Attorney’s Office,

of the Museum of the African Diaspora

duty in an effort to promote diversity and

provided direct representation to parents

(MoAD-SF) She is a graduate of Princ-

representativeness in the jury box. Will

and children in dependency proceedings,

eton University and Stanford Law School,

leads workshops around the country as it

and represented plaintiffs in civil litiga-

and was a Fulbright Scholar in Tanzania

relates to how implicit bias, racial anxiety

tion. She obtained her law degree from

in 2014.

and stereotype threat influence actors

University of California Berkeley School

and outcomes in the criminal justice sys-

of Law and her B.A. from Georgetown

tem. He received his JD from Seton Hall

University.

University School of Law and a BS from the University of Minnesota.

22  @equaljustice

GILLIAN SONNAD

TIRIEN STEINBACH

MONA TAWATAO

ONEJUSTICE

EAST BAY COMMUNITY LAW

WESTERN CENTER ON LAW & POVERTY

Gillian Sonnad is a Senior Staff Attorney

Tirien Steinbach is the Executive Director

Mona Tawatao is a Senior Litigator with

with OneJustice in the Healthy Nonprof-

of the East Bay Community Law Center

Western Center on Law and Poverty

its Program. She is focused on directing

(EBCLC), the community-based clinic for

(Sacramento Office). She has 27 years of

the Executive Fellowship Program and

Berkeley Law School (Boalt Hall). She is a

legal services experience with a current

consulting with legal aid organizations on

lecturer-in-residence and teaches a com-

focus on impact litigation to enforce the

diversity, equity, and inclusion practices.

panion course on applied legal ethics and

healthcare rights and related due process

Prior to her work with OneJustice, Gillian

community lawyering. She is also a facul-

and language access rights of lower-in-

was a Senior Consultant with the Race

ty advisor for both the UC Berkeley Law

come Californians. Previously, she served

Equity Project and the Sargent Shriver

Students of African Descent (LSAD) and

for 12 years as regional counsel for

National Center on Poverty Law. She was

the UC Berkeley Student Chapter of the

housing and land use with Legal Services

an inaugural fellow for the Shriver Center

National Lawyers Guild. Steinbach joined

of Northern California and as co-lead of

Racial Justice Training Institute and after

EBCLC in 2001, where she incubated the

its Race Equity Project. Mona received

completing the fellowship she has served

Clean Slate Clinic, a community reentry

her J.D. from UCLA School of Law after

as faculty and coach. She also co-au-

program. Steinbach graduated from Boalt

which she clerked for the Honorable

thored the Clearinghouse Review article,

Hall in 1999, where she was co-president

Consuelo B. Marshall in U.S. District

“Putting Race Back on the Table: Racial

of the Berkeley Law Foundation and Vice

Court in the Central District of California.

Impact Statements.” In addition to her

President for Law Students of African

She serves on the board of the Equal

race equity work, Gillian was a supervis-

Descent. Upon graduation, Steinbach

Justice Society and the Advisory Board of

ing attorney with Central California Legal

received several recognitions, including

the Shriver Center’s Racial Justice Train-

Services and a staff attorney with Legal

Equal Justice Works and Berkeley Law

ing Institute.

Services of Northern California where

Foundation fellowships and the inaugural

she advised, assisted, and represented

Thelton Henderson Social Justice Prize,

clients with issues related to public ben-

the BJALP Adhama Award, the 2010

efits, housing, healthcare, education, con-

Sisters of Fire Award, the 2011 LSAD

sumer rights, estates, and immigration.

Alumna of the Year Award, and the 2015

She earned her J.D. from the University

Berkeley Law Young Alumna Award. She

of California, Hastings College of the Law

served on the board of Berkeley Law’s

in 2008 with a concentration in Public

Initiative on Mindfulness and the Law

Interest Law. She earned her B.A. from

from 2010-14.

the University of California, San Diego with a double major in Political Science and Law and Society.

#mindscience2018 23

VILLY WANG

MAURICE WILKINS

SILVIA YEE

BAYCAT

CHAN ZUCKERBERG INITIATIVE

DISABILITY RIGHTS EDUCATION AND DEFENSE FUND

Villy Wang had a crazy dream: to cre-

Maurice is a former urban education

Silvia Yee is a senior staff attorney at

ate a new kind of social enterprise that

leader turned Diversity and Inclusion

Disability Rights Education and Defense

helps kids who, like her, grew up in the

advocate. He currently leads Diversity,

Fund (DREDF) where her work has

projects. Raised by an immigrant single

Equity, and Inclusion in the Chan Zuck-

included projects to increase physical and

mother in NYC, Villy’s desire to tell her

erberg Initiative. He also is the founder

programmatic accessibility and disability

Mom’s story forged a passion for using

of TechNColor, an alliance for under-

awareness in the delivery of health care

digital media arts to capture stories un-

represented people of color in tech that

services, as well as impact litigation to in-

told and to ultimately start a business to

aims to create an inclusive and diverse

crease access for people with disabilities

end racism, one story at a time. Leverag-

community. Prior to joining CZI, he

in myriad aspects of public and private

ing her impressive 25+year background

was a leader at Outco, a job search and

life. Ms. Yee maintains interests in health

in banking, law, education, media, and

interview prep accelerator for software

care reform and the impact on people

nonprofit management, Villy and her

engineers. Maurice is a 2011 gradu-

with disabilities, international disability

team at BAYCAT have been changing

ate of Morehouse College and a native

rights and the strengthening of national

not only the stories that get told, but the

Washingtonian.

disability rights laws and cross-disability

storytellers who get to tell them. Villy

communities, and models of equality.

is a Bay Area Jefferson Award winner, a

Recently, she has had the privilege to co-

TED Speaker, named one of 2017’s Most

teach a disability rights law class at UC

Influential Women in Bay Area Business

Berkeley School of Law. Prior to joining

by SF Business Times, and President of

DREDF, Ms. Yee worked in private com-

the SF Film Commission. She earned a

mercial practice in Canada, and with the

double BA in Engineering and Economics

Health Law Institute at the University of

from Brown University, JD degree from

Alberta, where she published on the top-

Northwestern University and her teach-

ics of Canadian Health Care Standards

ing credential from San Francisco State

and the extent of the nursing profession’s

University.

legal authority. Ms. Yee received her B.Mus., M.A., and L.L.B. degrees from the University of Alberta. Following graduation from law school, she clerked with Justice William Stevenson at the Alberta Court of Appeal.

24  @equaljustice

S H AK E I T OFF A ND TA K E A STE P UP

A story to help us get through these difficult times.

One day a farmer’s donkey fell into an abandoned well. The animal cried piteously for hours as the farmer tried to figure out what to do. Finally, he decided the animal was old and the well needed to be covered up anyway; so it just wasn’t worth it to him to try to retrieve the donkey.

He invited all his neighbors to come over and help him. They each grabbed a shovel and began to shovel dirt into the well. Realizing what was happening, the donkey at first cried and wailed horribly. Then, a few shovelfuls later, he quieted down completely.

The farmer peered down into the well, and was astounded by what he saw. With every shovelful of dirt that hit his back, the donkey was doing something amazing. He would shake it off and take a step up on the new layer of dirt. As the farmer’s neighbors continued to shovel dirt on top of the animal, he would shake it off and take a step up.

Pretty soon, the donkey stepped up over the edge of the well and trotted off, to the shock and astonishment of all the neighbors. Life is going to shovel dirt on you, all kinds of dirt. The trick to getting out of the well is to not let it bury you, but to shake it off and take a step up. Each of our troubles is a stepping stone.

We can get out of the deepest wells just by not stopping, never giving up!

Shake it off and take a step up!

And finally, the donkey gave the farmer who tried to bury him a good kicking. Which brings me to another moral for this story - When you try to cover your ass, it always comes back and gets you.

Author Unknown

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THE NATIONAL IMPLICIT BIAS NETWORK The National Implicit Bias Network is one of the country’s leading resources and voices on implicit bias and the phenomenon’s interaction with structural racism and the resulting inequality in areas such as the legal system, law enforcement, education, employment and housing.

We will be a platform for scholars, organizers, and advocates to translate academic research into practical information and tools that can be used to explain and address inequality.

The Network’s objectives are to: Enhance and amplify the work by members on implicit bias.

– Aggregate Network members’ work on implicit bias into one online destination (ImplicitBias.net) – Create a forum where implicit bias and mind science experts can share information and learn from each other.

– Identify opportunities for Network members to collaborate.

– Leverage members’ resources to uplift the work of other Network members (sharing news and developments with our email lists and social media channels).

Advance public understanding of implicit bias and its impact in the workplace, the courts, in society – Gain acceptance of implicit bias in the law and by decision-makers in employment, education, housing, contracting, and other sectors.

– Advance and deepen public understanding and acceptance of implicit bias and other mind science phenomenon.

– Organize regular convenings of academics, activists, and attorneys to share information as well as to identify ongoing research needs.

Visit http://ImplicitBias.net to learn how to get involved!

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AB OUT E JS

The Equal Justice Society is transforming the nation’s consciousness on race through law, social science, and the arts.

EJS STAFF Eva Paterson, President and Co-Founder Anna Basallaje, Director of Development Christopher Bridges, Legal Team Allison Elgart, Legal Director Ginger Johnson, Administrative Assistant Keith Kamisugi, Director of Communications Melissa Male, Conference Coordinator Anna Rodriguez, Law Clerk Miranda Mammen, Law Clerk EJS BOARD OF DIRECTORS Priscilla Ocen, Board Chair Professor of Law at Loyola Law School John Bonifaz Co-Founder and Director, Free Speech For People Alfred Fraijo Jr. Partner, Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton LLP Michael Harris Senior Attorney, Juvenile Justice, National Center for Youth Law Raymond C. Marshall Partner, Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton LLP Kelly McCreary Actor/Activist Eva Paterson EJS President Jayashri Srikantiah Professor of Law, Director of Stanford Law School’s Immigrants’ Rights Clinic Mona Tawatao Senior Attorney, Western Center on Law and Poverty

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Transforming the nation’s consciousness on race through law, social science, and the arts.

equaljusticesociety.org | @equaljustice