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Strengthening our resolvePartners in Diversity is saddened by the deadly riot at the US Capitol yesterday and mourns the unnecessary loss of four lives. The violence that took place puts our values in question. It showed us that white supremacy, racism and xenophobia still have a hold on some people in this country. As we honor and celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. this month, let us be reminded of his wisdom when he said: “If democracy is to have breadth of meaning, it is necessary to adjust this inequity. It is not only moral, but it is also intelligent. We are wasting and degrading human life by clinging to archaic thinking.”
We must remember January 6, 2021, as a day that our democracy was assaulted and tested; a day when we must take action to dismantle white supremacy; a day when all leaders, whether elected or not, must do more to restore respect, integrity, honor.
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Featured jobs
For a complete list of job openings at member organizations, please visit our online Career Center.
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Equity and inclusion eventsCEO Cohort & Executive Leaders Cohort | Register for Partners in Diversity’s peer and mentor networks for CEOs and executives who are ready to make real changes and improve their understanding, competency and leadership in areas of diversity, equity and inclusion. Cohorts meet quarterly for one year. | Participation cost: $2,500 for members; $3,000 for non-members | Deadline to register: February 19 | Details and registration
Clackamas Youth Programming Virtual Fair | Clackamas Workforce Partnership | Jan. 13, 3 p.m. | Register for free
Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration | Keynote speaker: Angela Davis, political activist, philosopher, academic and author | Oregon State University Office of Institutional Diversity | Jan. 18, 9:30 a.m. | Register for free
Spectrum of Community Engagement to Ownership | International Association for Public Participation | Jan. 28, 4 p.m. | Register here
For community events, volunteer or board opportunities, please visit our Community page.
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It’s a reunion. Say Hey! Honorees reconnected last month over the theme of resiliency and wellness. Attendees learned about self-care from a mental health expert and experienced the benefits of yoga and meditation.
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Faith J. Wilson, Program Coordinator
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News and updatesA new team member
Meet Faith Wilson. She joined the Partners in Diversity team in late-November as the new program coordinator. We are excited to have Faith use her talents and passion to help grow our programs and initiatives. Prior to Partners in Diversity, she worked at the OHSU Center for Diversity and Inclusion as the Summer Equity Research program coordinator. She founded a nonprofit organization called WO:KE PDX that promotes social responsibility and awareness through intercultural dialogue. Please join us in welcoming Faith to the Partners in Diversity family.
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A record year
In 2020, Partners in Diversity hosted a record 32 programming events that drew more than 4,300 attendees. Programming topics included: Navigating DEI during a crisis, moving from bystander to upstander, policies that put people first, using data to advance equity, bias in hiring, health inequities in the workplace, internalized racism and imposter syndrome, and more. A few of the recordings are available to evryone on our YouTube channel. Members can access all the videos by contacting us at hello@partnersindiversity.org.
Here are some upcoming programs for members:
- January 12 – CEO Forum: Power, Privilege and Leadership, sponsored by Advantis Credit Union
- January 27 – Breakfast for Champions: Creating a Trauma-Informed Workplace
- February 18 - Say Hey! Virtual [Save the date]
- May 4 & 5 - NW Equity Summit [Save the date]
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Member spotlight: Energy Trust of OregonPeriodically, Partners in Diversity features a platinum member organization and its efforts to enhance diversity, equity and inclusion. This month we’re focusing on Energy Trust of Oregon, a nonprofit organization that provides incentives and expertise to people and businesses planning energy-saving upgrades and renewable energy projects.
Energy Trust joined Partners in Diversity in 2015 because they understood the importance of supporting diverse talent and fostering a sense of belonging for employees. In recent years, they updated their hiring and recruiting practices, including requiring interviewers to take an implicit bias training. All interview panels must also comprise an HR representative and a member of the Diversity Advisory Council. Last year, every employee’s annual work plans must incorporate activities focused on diversity, equity and inclusion.
Moving forward into 2021, Energy Trust wants to continue to empower employees to have honest conversations about equity, create new programs to reach underserved customers and increase representation of staff who identify as people of color.
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Community members discuss solar energy at a workshop. Energy Trust held workshops across the state to get ideas on how to connect more customers with solar.
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Welcome our new membersWe are grateful to the 356 organizations that have joined Partners in Diversity. Please join us in welcoming the following new members.
Silver members
- Cappella Romana Vocal Ensemble
- Oregon Business Development Department
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Mari's Memo: A year of firstsDespite the mayhem during the first week of the new year, there are signs of hope for 2021. The distribution of the coronavirus vaccine is underway, the economic relief funds are being sent to those who are eligible, and people of color are breaking barriers at the federal and local level.
The Biden-Harris administration will be the most representative of any Cabinet in American History. Some are calling it the Cabinet of “firsts” – the first Black and Asian vice president (Kamala Harris), the first openly gay member of a presidential Cabinet (Pete Buttigieg), the first Latino to be the head of the Department of Homeland Security (Alejandro Mavorkas), the first Black to be Defense Secretary (Army Gen. Lloyd Austin), the first Native American cabinet secretary in US history (Deb Haaland), and the first Black to be chair of the Council on Environmental Quality (Brenda Mallory).*
Locally, we have our own list of elected firsts*:
- Annessa Hartman: First Indigenous city councilor in Gladstone.
- Claire Hall: Won her first re-election following her gender transition to retail her role on the Lincoln City Board of Commissioners.
- David Emami: First Iranian-American to serve on the Happy Valley City Council.
- Denyse McGriff: First person of color to serve on the Oregon City Commission.
- Desi Nicodemus: First Black man to serve on the Milwaukie City Council.
- Doris Gonzalez Gomez and Angeles Godinez-Valencia: Their wins gives Cornelius its first majority-Latino city council.
- Lacey Beaty: First female mayor to represent the City of Beaverton.
- Nadia Hasan: First Muslim on the Beaverton City Council.
- Nafisa Fai: First Black and first Muslim to serve on the Washington County Board of Commissioners.
- Travis Stovall: First Black person to be elected as Gresham mayor.
It is heartening to see that our local elected officials are beginning to reflect our diverse communities.
*If we inadvertently missed anyone on this list, please accept our apologies and send us a note and let us know who we should recognize.
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