Thank you for joining us on December 2nd for the second in a series of panel discussions surrounding diversity, equity, and inclusion. We value the conversation and look forward to the next discussion on January 14th. As a follow up we wanted to highlight some of the key points from the discussion as well as provide a link to the full panel recording.
Feel free to share the highlights, the video, or thoughts from the discussion with friends, family and colleagues.
You can view the December Panel recording here:
Below is the highlight overview of the questions asked and some quotes from the panelists that we loved:
What one of the most significant challenges is that you have faced in addressing representation and inclusion in leadership?
Craig Hartzman: In the midst of a pandemic it is easy to feel isolated. Even in a situation that is affecting every single person in some way we feel more than ever a sense of loneliness. During the AIDS crisis, Craig faced the challenge of raising awareness to reaching out to those that weren’t affected by the issue. By reaching out to a different demographics and discussing the crisis, it helped to remove the stigma surrounding AIDS and in doing so this outreach opened the doors to see other demographics that were being affected and helped to create avenues in which to support at risk individuals. Craig shared his experiences of reaching into his background to share his experiences helped communicate the need for support and create connection with individuals that weren’t seeing how they could support something that felt out of their control.
“You need to draw from your own experiences in life and be willing to tell your story so that you can bring people back in and move the processes of inclusion forward.” Craig Hartzman
How have you successfully addressed a challenge that you’ve identified around inclusion in your work as a leader?
John Branam: A fundamental challenge for low income and underserved youth is that they don’t feel that they belong in college. A study that came out of UT Austin showed that if a young person shares a challenge in navigating or getting into college they are then more likely to persist and if the person they shared that story with then also shared their own story of challenge and persisting the effects double. John shared how he took this research and launched an initiative called “We belong in college” where high school youth named their challenged and shared their story in video format. The videos were shared, watched and generated many comments. This type of sharing continues to spark inclusion and enables more youth to see themselves succeeding at the post-secondary level.
“Make one of your 2021 resolutions to have two to three mentees and bring your network to them and help them. Put your network to work and see what kind of magic you can make.” John Branam
How do you as a leader model the importance of mental health?
Kali Thorne Ladd: When we understand neuroscience, we understand it is not just about the brain but the brain’s connection to the body which impacts our learning and well-being. Kairos PDX produced some short videos called: Science Sound Bites of Success to give information about neuroscience and how to support one’s through the lockdowns. Studies show that when children are under stress, the number one thing that you, as an adult, can do to support them is give care and connection. That care and connection can reverse the negative effects of stress. So much that is important to children thriving goes beyond their academic learning, it is about them feeling socially, culturally and emotional affirmed, and when we forget that we fail our youth. We need to let the students know that they aren’t alone, and that they are seen and valued.
“Say your gratitudes, say three gratitudes a day, if you think about what you are grateful for you begin to train your brain to notice positive things and that’s how we being to build in that learned optimism. We are all in this together and as a collective community we can help each other.” Kali Ladd