Institutions & business across the US are increasingly turning to equity, diversity, & inclusion staff to address the continuing problems with racism, discrimination, and bigotry built into the culture, laws, & policies of our country. My own Midwest city and county, Eau Claire, Wisconsin, took a concrete step by hire their first ever EDI Coordinator, Jeneise Briggs, to help structure and focus our attempts to heal the exclusion and wounds which have written-out of mainline culture and the privileges that position brings. Jeneise brings a wealth of talents and training with her, and also experience, both professional and person. Jeneise grew up in a poor Jamaican family, though rich in love and faith. Jeneise got her BA in Mass Communications/Public Relations Mandeville, Jamaica, her MA in Public Administration in Grand Rapids, MI, and her Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership, Administration & Policy Analysis in Madison, WI. She has previously served Marian University and the State Bar of Wisconsin in EDI roles. This visit with Jeneise provides a snapshot of one community's attempts to alter the local culture to widen democracy and the full embrace of caring community.
Equity
Serious Fun with Alastair Moock
Alastair Moock has been playing music in the Philly area since 1995, with a specialty of family music added after the birth of his twins in 2006. He was first place in the 2020 Songs for Social Change, a project of RAWA, with his song Be A Pain.
Collective Antiracism: Doing the Inter & Outer Work, Together
Eleonora Bartoli & Ali Michael bring us a book about antiracism that actually helps equip people to do the work, & to do it in a way that is actually helpful & effective. Our Problem Our Path: Collective Antiracism for White People is insightful, co
Raising White Kids Beyond Color-Blind
Racial Color-Blindness & Diversity Training can't get us to MLK's Dream, but maybe Race-Conscious Parenting can. Jennifer Harvey is the author of Raising White Kids: Bringing Up Children in a Racially Unjust America, with both practical & philosophical guidance for those who would like to make the dream real. Jennifer's Ph.D.
Starving Nonprofits
Nonprofit groups are at the forefront of care for the homeless, hungry, needy & oppressed. Given the deep compassion and connection of these non-profits, it is all the more remarkable how often their own staffs face issues of equity and near-poverty wages. Among those looking for a solution to this conundrum are Betsy Leondar-Wright, Anastasia Lynge, & other members of the organization Class Action.
A Place to Lay Your Head: Affordable Housing
In Making Housing Happen: Faith-based Affordable Housing Models, Jill Suzanne Shook brings together numerous models for making housing accessible to those in need. From the sweat equity ingredients of organizations like Habitat for Humanity, to adaptive reuse, to tenants taking ownership, community land trusts, and many more approaches, Jill highlights the possibilities and results of creative thoughts and dedicated spirits.