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MLAC DIVERSITY COALITION 2009 Year in Review. Presented by Joyce Allen-Beckford, Director December 17, 2009. 2009 Highlights. Structural Racism Symposium in Spring Keynote presented by Professor john powell The Kirwan Institute for the Study of Race & Ethnicity
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MLAC DIVERSITY COALITION2009Year in Review Presented by Joyce Allen-Beckford, Director December 17, 2009
2009Highlights • Structural Racism Symposium in Spring Keynote presented by Professor john powell The Kirwan Institute for the Study of Race & Ethnicity Expanding Opportunity for All: Responding to the Situatedness of Marginalized Populations (60 participants attended the workshop, which was capacity for the ACI space)
Structural racism • a discussion about race in the Obama era. • connections that exist between race, place, and poverty in the United States • low-income communities are deprived of the essential elements needed to promote advancement and success in our society. • strategies for addressing the needs of marginalized communities.
Structural Racism – Feed Back • Which part of today’s experience has been most valuable for you? Briefly explain why? • Pp’s presentation. It challenged a lot of my ideas and made me hopeful of positive change. • John powell’s talk was very inspiring and really made me think outside of the box, when thinking about race • Lecture made me take a step back from case work and remember the bigger picture and why I got Involved in this work
AGE/AGEISM Four Generations in the workplace • To increase understanding of generational difference and how these differences impact workplace relationships • To raise awareness of participants’ own norms and values around generations and ageism • To develop strategies for overcoming barriers to creating more constructive relationships with colleagues and clients with generational differences • (143 participants attended workshops)
Four generations: Feed back • How will you interact differently: colleagues from other generations as a result of today’s experience? • I will certainly be more conscious of generational differences –not a lens of seeing people that I often consider or of which I’m aware. • Keeping in mind that being from a particular generation may affect how one interacts • Be more cognizant of others’ communication styles • Pause, form in my mind, a response (or initial statement to either bring about a request or discussion) not only based on the generation of my colleague but also in a way that shows respect and a welcome (acceptance) of other points of view.
Diversity WorkshopMedical Legal Partnership • A condensed version of the 2007 Let’s get Real Series • Designed to broaden the understanding of Diversity and Cultural Competency within Medical Legal services • Analyze their own understanding of how privilege, power, and oppression impact their lives, and those of their colleagues at Medical Legal Partnership
Medical Legal Partnership: Feedback • How will you interact differently with colleagues from other cultures as a result of today’s experience • I think I’ll be more conscious of stereotyping or judging people w/o knowing the things that I can’t see • Be more thoughtful about what I don’t know about people • I’m reminded to assume nothing and be more proactive in keeping the topic on the table • More awareness and sensitivity for their background experiences
Center for Legal Aid Education: Leadership Institute Designed and Co facilitated the Fall Leadership Institute Workshop on how to have: Skillful Conversations about Power and Difference
Attorneys of Color Annual Retreat • Attorney Verna Myers presented on: • “Understanding the Four Levels of Multicultural Change and the Personal Behaviors that Support Diversity Leadership” • She presented frameworks for understanding how change happens in an organization • Also framework for developing personal behaviors that contribute to powerful leadership within and on behalf of the organization. • Her presentation was very relevant and thought provoking
Other ….. Collaborated with MLAC Board Affairs Committee to: contacted all attorney of color groups: • Massachusetts Association of Hispanic Attorneys • Massachusetts Black Lawyers Association • Massachusetts Black Women Attorneys • Asian-American Lawyers Association of Massachusetts • South Asian Bar Association of Greater Boston
Possibilities for 2010….. • Meet with Project Directors to determine needs • A retreat for paralegals and intake workers • Continue workshop series: Gender, Sexuality, SES • Be available for Diversity related issues within program