Celebrating and sharing our identities |
There is a lot of value in bringing our full identities to work. Our unique perspectives increase the quality of our work, our relationships with colleagues become more genuine, and we become advocates for the organizations that support us. As we celebrate Women’s History Month, National Disability Awareness Month, and International Transgender Day of Visibility, we invite you to not only acknowledge the identities that are being recognized this month, but to also consider how your own uniqueness can inspire community within your organizations. Dive into this month’s newsletter to read a few inspiring stories from our community members.
In this issue:
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- 500 people join Say Hey! at the Hidden Creek Community Center
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A new episode of Equity Conversations podcast explores the intersection of systemic racism and ableism
- Our Black Community Resource Group Celebrates Black History Month
- Mari's Memo focuses on women in leadership
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The joy in finding an inclusive community
For the first time, we took our signature Say Hey! event west of Portland to the city of Hillsboro thanks to support from our sponsors Intel and the City of Hillsboro. 500 people came out to network, connect with professionals of color, and welcome this quarter’s forty new Honorees. From entrepreneurship to media and public relations, these newcomers bring an incredible range of skills and interests to our region. Relocating to a predominantly white region without an established community or network can be a challenging experience, so we encourage you all to connect with the Honorees if you missed the opportunity.
February Honoree, Frankline Muthomi, who recently joined Portland State University as Assistant Professor of Public Administration shared a few words about his experience, "What is the joy of finding an inclusive community of diverse races, backgrounds, and professions? To me, the joy starts and ends with the art of inclusion. I don’t have enough words to describe that joy, but I can point out where I found mine, at the Say Hey event with Partners in Diversity. My experience was way beyond expectations. I experienced a warm welcome from everyone and a friendly atmosphere where people are open to building meaningful connections.”
Are you a professional of color who moved to Oregon or southwest Washington in the last 18 months? Join us an Honoree at our next Say Hey! on May 4. Complete the online form by April 4. View event photos and read a full recap of the event on our website.
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Equity Conversations: The intersection between racism and ableism
If disability is something that anyone can acquire in their lifetime, then why is there so much division? That’s the question posed by our guests in this month’s Equity Conversations podcast. In honor of Disability Awareness Month, we explore the intersection of systemic racism and ableism – and their impact on the lives of people of color with disabilities. Our guests, Jetamio Kennedy and Jonathan Cresson from Relay Resources, share what individuals and managers can do to change the systems that continue to oppress people of color with disabilities.
Listen to the episode here.
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A Snowy Lunar New Year Celebration
This past weekend our team had the privilege of attending the 102nd Chinese American Citizens Alliance Portland Lodge Anniversary Gala. Community organizations, Oregon's governor, and other local elected officials came together to celebrate Lunar New Year over an endless amount of delicious food and a lion dance performed by the Portland Lee’s Association Dragon and Lion Dance Team. Because of the pandemic, there have been limited opportunities to celebrate Lunar New Year as a community and we were extremely happy to see such an amazing turn out.
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Our Black Community Resource Group Celebrates Black History Month
Thank you to the Black Community Resource Group members who attended our Black History Month Celebration last month. Attendees gathered at the PCC Cascade's 33rd Annual Cascade Festival of African Films to enjoy a screening of The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind. Our Black Community Resource Group is a space specifically for people who identify as Black/African American and is designed to bring the community together to network, discuss current issues, and find community.
Our Community Resource Groups (CRGs) provide a safe space for people to celebrate culture, discuss community issues, and meet new friends. We currently offer CRGs for Asian and Pacific Islander, Black, Latino, and Native American communities.
Click here to sign up for a CRG.
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NW Equity Summit Save the Date: September 26
Be unapologetically DEI. Mark your calendar for Partners in Diversity’s 2nd NW Equity Summit on September 26, 2023, at the Oregon Convention Center. The conference focuses on helping employees and managers at all levels, as well as diversity influencers, be bold and uncompromising — in other words, unapologetic — when it comes to advancing and advocating for equity and inclusion.
Registration opens in May, but sponsorship opportunities are available now. If you want to show your support for DEI and showcase your organization’s commitment, contact Dorothy Chongkit at dchongkit@partnersindiversity.org.
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A special thanks to our new and renewing members for their continued commitment to DEI:
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New Platinum Members
CareOregon
David Douglas School District
New Silver Members
Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon
Renewing Members
Advantis Credit Union
Bank of America
Clackamas Community College
Community Foundation for SW Washington
Fielding Graduate University
Forth Mobility
Innovative Housing, Inc
Learning.com
Livelihood NW
Metropolitan Family Services
Metropolitan Group
Multnomah County
Multnomah Education Service District
New Seasons Market
OnPoint Credit Union
Open School
Oregon Business and Industry
Oregon Business Development Department
Oregon Department of Transportation
OTRADI and Oregon Bioscience Incubator
Our Children's Trust
Pearl Animal Hospital
Portland Parks Foundation
Portland YouthBuilders
Providence Health & Services
RISE Partnership Inc
State of Oregon
TriMet
Wallis Engineering
ZGF Architects LLP
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Upcoming Programs
March 9, 11:00 a.m. | Your Membership Benefits 101 | Zoom (members only)
March 16 | Latino Community Resource Group Celebration | Location and Time Details Coming Soon
March 21, 8:30 a.m. | Breakfast for Champions: Inclusive Onboarding | Zoom (members only)
May 4, 5:30 p.m. | Say Hey! at Multnomah County Athletic Club | Registration Coming Soon
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For a complete list of job openings at member organizations, please visit our Career Center.
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Partners in Diversity provides an online space for nonprofits, public agencies and community-based organizations to share events and engagement opportunities that are relevant to communities of color. To view other community events or to post one, visit our Community Engagement page.
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Do you know a professional of color who moved here in the last 18 months and would be interested in getting introduced at our upcoming Say Hey! event on May 4? Send them the link below and encourage them to sign up as an Honoree by April 14. We are also searching for past Honorees or Say Hey! attendees to serve as Buddies to our Honorees. In this role, you’ll be a friend to our honored guests and make sure they are feeling comfortable and connected throughout the event. Click here to participate or volunteer.
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Month of March: Women’s History Month
Month of March: National Disability Awareness Month
March 8: International Women's Day
March 14: Equal Pay Day
March 25: International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade
March 31: International Transgender Day of Visibility
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I know you all think I retired from Partners In Diversity back in January, but I've tied myself to my desk and the team has allowed me to stay for a couple more weeks. Thus, this will be my last Mari’s Memo, and as a woman of color, it seemed poignant that this is Women’s History Month.
As I transition out of my role, I often think of the women around me and those who have come before me who have greatly impacted my career. I have grown into my leadership role due to support from mentors, advisors, friends, and confidants who have taken the time to acknowledge my passions and skills and have provided guidance when I've encountered challenges.
If you search for women leaders online, you'll come across many lists of women who have paved the way for other women to advance. Although inspiring and indicative of some progress, I cannot help but acknowledge that women of underrepresented identities still make up a minority of these lists and continue to be underrepresented in leadership roles at most organizations. Genuine recruitment and retainment strategies to get women of color into positions of leadership are just not there yet.
If you are a woman of color aspiring to step into a leadership role, I want to remind you of the great agency that you hold over the trajectory of your career and your life. There are structures and systems in place that you must break through without fear and with an incredible support system by your side. If you are a woman of color who is currently in a leadership role, I ask that you pass on the support that was once offered to you. Great challenges are overcome through persistence, boldness, and unity. Embrace those qualities and move upward together.
With gratitude,
Mari Watanabe
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