Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
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Welcome to the
DEI Monthly Newsletter!On behalf of the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, it is my pleasure to share this Inaugural Edition of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Newsletter with the Silver community. The purpose of the newsletter is to provide updates on the strategic efforts of the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in disrupting patterns of racial, gender, religious, social, economic inequity and all forms of oppression at the Silver School of Social Work, and in the local communities that we serve. The newsletter aims to foster accountability, community, trust, and transparency while serving as a conduit in sharing DEI resources with the Silver community. Our ability to reflect on current practices, re-imagine a community rooted in social justice, and engage in the active repair of harm will transform our work, school, and community. Towards that end, there are still openings on a variety of the School’s Action Against Racism Work Groups, and current Silver faculty, students, and staff are encouraged to express interest in serving on a Work Group.
More importantly, as we embrace a Lunar new year and celebrate Black history, we understand that these are uncertain and anxious times. We hope that the newsletter will inspire difficult and honest examinations of practices and deepen conversations as we grow and increase our social justice solidarity. This inaugural issue is the product of the tremendous effort and dedication of Jayson Vivas, DEI Intern, and the Social Justice Praxis Committee. Your feedback is always welcome. Comments and ideas regarding the newsletter can be directed to silver.dei@nyu.edu.
In Solidarity,
Richeleen Dashield
Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
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| TrustHow are we following through on our responsibility to anti-racism? What actions are we taking to ensure that all members of the Silver community are protected against bias?
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| | Dr. Tiffany Llewellyn, LCSW
We welcome Dr. Llewellyn in her new role with Counseling and Wellness Services at NYU.
The partnership between Silver and Wellness services was a direct result of student activism and through the Socioemotional Support for Students of Color work group in the NYU Action Against Racism Agenda.
If you want to schedule an appointment reach out via the NYU counseling center at 212.998.4780.
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| TransparencyHow, when, and to whom are we communicating important information? Are we only communicating when it is easy, or also when it is not?
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| Silver Restorative Justice
As Silver moves forward with its commitment to the core values of social work, 32 individuals—including faculty, staff, and students participated in the first cohort of Restorative Justice training. As part of a transformative community initiative connected to the Silver Climate Support, the Offices of DEI and Inclusive Engagement and Student Life partnered to host a Restorative Justice training facilitated by the University of San Diego's Center for Restorative Justice. This month, Richeleen Dashield and Angie Kim will be hosting the Center for Restorative Justice's team as they introduce restorative circle practices to improve the school culture and build relationships across units, programs, and positions. More importantly, participants will learn how to use circles in response to microaggressions and bias incidents to provide inclusive dialogue, healing, accountability, and action plans. We invite members of the community to proactively practice healthy work relationships, good communication skills, skills to de-escalate harm and incorporate healing into our everyday lives. We can ask ourselves to identify and create community infrastructures that support more safety, transparency, sustainability, care, and connection.
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| CommunityHow are we creating an environment for healing and working together? Are we resisting isolation and allowing ourselves to be seen?
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| Hidden Voices Coalition Student Group
Hidden Voices Coalition's (HVC) mission is to generate student support, research, and advocacy that is led by and for students with severe mental illness and/or other marginalized identities at Silver. The research and conversations we have will contribute to our collaboration with the Social Justice Praxis Committee. HVC uses a de-colonized organizational structure to forge a group that operates equitably. Feel free to join this upcoming meeting by contacting silverhiddenvoices@nyu.edu.
Upcoming Meeting: HVC Participatory Action Research Group February 28 at 5:00 pm EST (students only)
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BIPOC Affinity Group Spaces
Silver hosts a range of racial and ethnic affinity groups for students, alumni, faculty, and staff, that provide support and/or foster accountability. Affinity groups play an important role in building an inclusive community. We create space to identify ways that our racial identities shape how we navigate the world and how we dialogue about areas of need that are based upon lived experiences. Moreover, the affinity group provides an opportunity to practice vulnerability, self-reflection, and critical thinking.
The following affinity groups currently meet regularly:
BIPOC Students and Alumni: 1st Thursday of the month at 7:00 pm, Email silver.inclusivestudentlife@nyu.edu for more information
BIPOC Faculty and Staff: 4th Thursday of the month at 4:00 pm, Email silver.DEI@nyu.edu for more information
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| AccountabilityHow are we holding each other accountable for anti-racism?
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| Faculty and Staff White Accountability Group
We invite NYU Silver staff, administrators, and full-time and adjunct faculty to join the weekly meetings for the purpose of holding white faculty and staff accountable to realize, share about, and ultimately interrupt racism internally at the School and in society. The group is currently working collectively through the book Me and White Supremacy by Layla Saad while sharing reflection and resources. Please email silver.fs.whiteaccountability@nyu.edu to receive calendar invites, which include the chapter the group is reading and a link to the corresponding discussion questions.
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Student White Accountability Group
The white accountability student space at NYU is for white and white passing students. This group will meet 2x per month for 1.5 hours a session to acknowledge how white supremacy and racism operates in both subtle and direct ways within ourselves, our communities, and our institutions. The group is currently reading and journaling through Me and White Supremacy by Layla Saad and using a small group format for discussion. For questions and to join upcoming meetings, please email Gabriella McBride at gc85@nyu.edu or Nicole Theodore nct2866@nyu.edu.
Upcoming Meetings: March 8, 22; April, 5, 19; May 3, with options to meet 3 different times throughout the week.
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| | Anti-Racism Training: Decoding Difference
In this interactive workshop you will enter an imaginative space for finding solutions to racism and ask radical questions such as: "If racism were gone tomorrow, how would you know when you woke up in the morning?"
February 24: 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm EST
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| | Monthly Monitor: Black History Month Issue
See this SSWR newsletter, including a tribute to queer Black heroes, an editorial on the importance of recognizing Black scholarship and more!
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Podcast: Brené Brown talks with Aiko Bethea
Listen in on DEI expert Aiko Bethea as she talks with Brené Brown about creating tranformative cultures in reference to her article about DEI responses to the death of George Floyd.
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| Brookings Institute: The 'Thugs' that Stormed the Capital
Check out this article on the Capital riot and the discursive use of the word "thug" in modern protests. Also see Dean Neil Guterman's message on coming together in a time of crisis.
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| NYU Internal Directory Now Includes Student Pronouns and Name Pronunciation
In addition to NYU Classes, the NYU Internal Directory (also known as the ‘People’ tab in NYU Home) includes student pronouns and name pronunciation for those students who have added that information through NYU Albert. See instructions for faculty, advisors, adminstrators and students.
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| Share Resources!
If you have anti-racism resources you would like to share for the next edition of the DEI Monlthy newsletter we have limited spots available. Please email silver.DEI@nyu.edu with the subject "DEI Newsletter Submission."
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