Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
| |
| Dear Community,
I extend a warm restorative welcome to the Silver community from the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. As we begin the fall semester, we experience the excitement and challenges of being together on campus and Zoom spaces. Our community is enriched by diverse identities and activities that will shape our academic and professional lives in multiple ways.
This month we observe Latinx Heritage Month, celebrating the histories, cultures, and contributions of Hispanics and Latinx communities. I am pleased to highlight the Latinx in Social Work virtual book launch taking place on October 5. The book, edited by NYU Silver alum Erica Sandoval and featuring contributions from many other Latinx alumni, amplifies DEI themes of identity, oppressive practices, and trauma. These Latinx social worker experiences challenge us to reflect, engage, and recommit to lifelong antiracist practices in our education, workplace, and local communities that we serve.
We look forward to sharing with you in the DEI newsletter ways that you may join us in this journey to eradicate oppressive practices through resources, activism, and inclusive leadership. Here at Silver, we are fortunate to have support and guidance that span across many departments and individuals who are committed to diving deeper, rolling up sleeves, and leveraging positionality to do the necessary work. It takes the collective efforts of the Silver community to move forward in transparency, trust, accountability, and community. We thank our wonderful partners, and we invite you, departments, and classes, to collaborate in building an inclusive community together.
Sincerely,
Richeleen Dashield
Director, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
| |
| TransparencyHow, when, and to whom are we communicating important information? Are we only communicating when it is easy or also when it is not?
| |
|
Center on Data Science & Social Equity Q&A Session
Silver’s Office for Research recently held an information session for Silver faculty, staff, and researchers regarding the Constance and Martin Silver Center on Data Science and Social Equity, which was established in June of this year. Speakers included Associate Dean for Research and Interim Center Director Marya Gwadz; Director of Center Operations Amanda Ritchie; Director of Research and Planning Bruss Del Valle; Assistant Dean for Development Laura Turner; and Dean Neil Guterman, who each presented and answered questions about the mission, vision, and values of the Center and how it can best support our research community.
The meeting was recorded for those who were not able to attend and you may watch the video here. If you have any other questions about the Center, email the Office for Research at silver.ofr@nyu.edu.
| |
| TrustHow are we following through on our responsibility to antiracism? What actions are we taking to ensure all members of the Silver community are protected against bias?
| |
|
Staff Days of LearningThroughout the summer, Silver’s Antiracism Seminar for Staff Working Group hosted three Days of Learning for staff, each of which included three hours of guided discussion, community engagement, dialogue around antiracism practices, and self-reflection to encourage personal growth and build a more inclusive School environment. Kudos to the Working Group members: Neeta Arbeiter, Liz Chon, Richeleen Dashield, Andrew Davis, Lori Djivre, Chris Ferrara, Elizabeth Galimore, Evelyn Kleinbardt, and Ben Sher.
The group had the pleasure of welcoming representatives from the University of San Diego’s Center for Restorative Justice, National Conflict Resolution Center (NCRC), and Worthshop, Inc. as guest facilitators to lead guided discussions and brainstorming sessions with our participants. One of our talented facilitators, L. Tomay Douglas of Worthshop, Inc., reflected on her experience with our community.
Said Tomay, “I witnessed strength rise up in participants as they shared, struggled with uncomfortability, and leaned into the discomfort. It takes strength to look at ways in which we can perpetuate harm subconsciously and admit that there is more I can do.... I am reminded that we can HEAL Humanity Now when we come together and continue the learning, doing, and being because this is a ’Forever Work.’”
| |
Restorative Justice Training is Back!The Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion announced its third cohort of the Restorative Justice Training Program as part of the Silver Climate Protocol. We are eager to welcome back the incredible training team from the Center for Restorative Justice at the University of San Diego. In this training, the team will help participants build community, address accountability, and strengthen relationships using the Indegenous practice of healing circles and restorative techniques which translates to the classroom and workplace at Silver.
Registration for the training is currently full, but feel free to attend the information session with Richeleen Dashield on September 29 at 4:00 PM to prepare for future cohorts.
| |
| AccountabilityHow are we holding each other accountable for antiracism?
| |
|
Community SpotlightSymphony Bruce, MLIS · Critical Pedagogy Librarian
This summer, the NYU Division of Libraries welcomed Symphony Bruce (she/her) to the library faculty as the Critical Pedagogy Librarian in the Undergraduate and Instructional Services department. In this newly created role, Symphony will work to align the Division’s pedagogical approaches with queer, transnational, intersectional, decolonial, anti-racist and critical race theory frameworks.
The Critical Pedagogy position combines her interests in student-centered teaching and the exploration of the ways in which power, privilege, and oppression make an impact on our information ecosystems. If you’d like to be in touch with Symphony or have any questions for her, email her at sab9895@nyu.edu.
| |
| CommunityHow are we creating an environment for healing and working together? Are we resisting isolation and allowing ourselves to be seen?
| |
|
New Social Justice Praxis Committee Co-Chair The Social Justice Praxis Committee (SJPC) is proud to announce Dr. Susan B. Gerbino as its new co-chair. Dr. Gerbino will replace Dr. Marya Gwadz, who served as SJPC co-chair for two years and expanded community engagement, advocacy, and accountability for the School's Action Against Racism agenda. Dr. Gerbino is a Clinical Professor and is the Director of the Zelda Foster Studies Program in Palliative and End-of-Life Care (PELC). She is an active member of SJPC, co-chaired the Bias Response Protocol workgroup, and is a member of the White Accountability Group for faculty and staff. Dr. Gerbino will serve as co-chair of SJPC alongside Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Richeleen Dashield.
| |
|
Reading and Author Talkback: A Love for Liberation
Join NYU Silver Associate Professor Dr. Doris Chang in conversation with Dr. Robin Hayes of The Atlantic to discuss her new book, Love for Liberation: African Independence, Black Power and a Diaspora Underground. In her new book, Dr. Hayes explores how at the height of the Cold War, Black Power and African independence activists created a diaspora underground, which redefined racial discrimination as an international human rights issue. The event hosted by April Grigsby and Silver’s Office of Inclusive Engagement and Student Life takes place on September 30 at 6:30 PM. Stay for a “mix & mingle” with the author at 7:30 PM.
| |
|
Intro to NYU LGBTQ+ Open Session
Intro to NYU LGBTQ+ is an interactive session that introduces LGBTQ+ terms/concepts and strategies for better supporting these communities. The session will provide an overview of resources and services that participants can use to enhance their allyship. Join the session on October 22 at 2:00 PM.
| |
NYU Disability Zone Training
NYU Disability Zone Training provides an overview of frameworks for understanding disability status in the U.S., examples of everyday ableism, and research-based strategies for being in solidarity with the disabled community so that we can create a more inclusive culture in higher education. Join the two-hour training on October 20 at 2:00 PM.
| |
Richeleen Dashield - Director, Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
| |
Liz Galimore - Interim Administrative Aide
| |
Aadya Bhatia - Silver Climate Peer Advocate
| |
Gerri Connaught - Silver Climate Peer Advocate
| |
Lilia Vidal - Social Work Intern
| |
| Share Antiracism Resources!If you have antiracism resources you would like to share for the next edition of the newsletter we have limited spots available. Please email silver.DEI@nyu.edu with the subject "DEI Newsletter Submission."
| |
|
|
|
|