Diversity Month

Initiated in April of 2004, National Celebrate Diversity Month is an international observance established to recognize and honor the diversity in the world. It’s a time to recognize and learn about differences in race, ethnicity, faith, gender, sexual orientation, and the many other factors that make us who we are while honoring our commonalities. This is the time to appreciate our differences and similarities and gain a deeper understanding of each other.

This month, start a conversation. Take time to share your culture and heritage with those around you. People celebrate this month in a variety of different ways, such as engaging in learning opportunities, attending a cultural art exhibit, hosting a multicultural movie night, supporting minorityowned businesses, listening to music from around the world, or exploring a local restaurant to try a food you’ve never tasted before. How will you celebrate?

Welcome Dr. Williams

Recently, the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

(DEI) Council invited guest presenter Dr. Norissa Williams, Founder and CEO of Liberation

Research and Practice Institute, to conduct trainings on two important topics.

In February, the Council defined and explored antiblackness. Through training, breakout sessions, and open group discussion, they discussed antiblackness through hierarchical systems, historical impacts, and the continued prevalence of antiblackness in our society. They also discussed how to dismantle power structures that replicate antiblackness. In March, they highlighted the topic of gender as a construct. The Council had an engaging discussion on the ways we’ve been socialized to think about gender, the impacts of this hierarchical system in our society, and how to dismantle male supremacy in our lives and workplace.