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Pause and reflect
Every February, we commemorate the contributions made to our country by people of African descent and pause to reflect on our complicated and painful history as it relates to Black Americans.
In 2016 remarks, President Barack Obama said that Black History Month is about “the lived, shared experience of all African Americans, high and low, famous and obscure, and how those experiences have shaped and challenged and ultimately strengthened America. It’s about taking an unvarnished look at the past so we can create a better future. It’s a reminder of where we as a country have been, so that we know where we need to go.”
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NW Equity Summit coming soon; Sponsorship opportunities available now
Mark your calendar for Partners in Diversity's NW Equity Summit on May 4 and 5, 2021. It features two days of insights from top business leaders, diversity experts and trainers from all across the world to enhance your knowledge and advance DEI in the workplace. More details coming soon.
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Community events and opportunities
Say Hey!~Virtual | Join Partners in Diversity for the largest multi-cultural networking event in the region | February 18, 4:30-6 p.m. | Register now
Black History Month Virtual Festival | Association for the Study of African American Life and History | Throughout February | Learn more
Cascade Festival of African Films | See Africa through the eyes of Africans, brought to you by Portland Community College | February 5-March 10 | Learn more
Women in Leadership: Where Power Lies, A Conversation | Part of the Japan-America Society of Oregon’s Developing Women Leaders series | February 11, 4 p.m. | Learn more
Chinese New Year Celebration | Usher in the Year of the Ox with festivities at the Lan Su Chinese Garden | February 12-28 | Learn more
Charter Review Committee | Multnomah County | Opportunity to play an important role in ensuring that local government is serving current community needs | Deadline to apply is March 1 | Learn more
Oregon Humanities Responsive Program Grants | Supports nonprofits and federally recognized tribes in Oregon | Application deadline: March 1 | Learn more
Diversity Legal Job Fair | Oregon’s only diversity job fair for attorneys, paralegals and legal support professionals | March 9-10 | Learn more
Effective Cultural Frameworks and Polyvagal Informed Skills | Bookmark Connections | March 12, 13, 14 | Early bird pricing ends Feb. 19 | Learn more
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News and updates
Connect with professionals of color
If you know of a professional of color who relocated to Oregon or southwest Washington within the past 18 months, please invite them to be introduced at this month’s Say Hey!, the region’s largest multi-cultural networking event. Ask them to email us at sayhey@partnersindiversity.org. Deadline to sign up as an Honoree and send us the information is February 5.
To help make them feel welcomed and more connected to our area, we provide “honorees” with gift cards and passes to businesses. If your organization would like to donate a virtual gift, please email sayhey@partnersindiversity.org.
Diversity leadership programs
Are you looking to advance diversity, equity and inclusion within your organization? Are you ready to move beyond talk and start taking action? Partners in Diversity offers two leadership programs--one for CEOs, presidents and executive directors, and one for other c-suite leaders, vice presidents and directors. It's a unique opportunity to meet with your peers and engage in dialogue on ways to create a more inclusive culture. For more information and to register, visit the Partners in Diversity website. Deadline to apply is February 19.
In case you missed it
Partners in Diversity kicked off the new year with a workshop for executive leaders and a panel discussion on creating a trauma-informed workplace.
Upcoming programs include:
- Feb. 10, 10 a.m. - Equity Conversations: Cultural appropriation vs. appreciation (sold out)
- Feb. 18, 4:30 p.m. - Say Hey!~Virtual
- Feb. 25, 8:30 a.m. - Breakfast for Champions: Diversity in leadership: How to make it happen with Lisa Wardell, CEO, Adtalem Global Education (members-only)
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Member spotlight
Periodically, Partners in Diversity features a platinum member organization and its efforts to enhance diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). This month we learn about the equity roadmap that Boly:Welch recently launched.
Boly:Welch, a staffing and recruiting company based in Portland, worked with a DEI consultant last summer to develop goals and an action plan to create an equitable workplace. They also formed a DEI council that meets twice a month to implement elements of the plan. They said that the biggest challenge is overcoming their own blind spots since most of the team is white. That’s why education will play a major role in their initiatives and prioritizing next steps.
In addition to continuing to participate in Partners in Diversity’s educational programs, the team at Boly:Welch plans to incorporate anti-racism topics into their weekly staff meetings and host quarterly facilitated conversations with DEI consultants. This year, they will also institute new hiring policies and procedures to ensure a more equitable process. From an external point of view, Boly:Welch staff are practicing intentional purchasing by focusing on businesses owned by people of color, diversifying their vendors, and expanding their community partners.
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Boly:Welch employees Abby Engers, Teresa Oliver, and Monicia Warner attended My People's Market as one way to expand Boly:Welch's vendor list to include more businesses owned by people of color.
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Welcome our new members
Today, we are proud to have 364 organizations as our members. Please join us in welcoming the following new members.
Platinum members
- Advantis Credit Union
- City of Salem
- Oregon Department of Environment
- Oregon Public Broadcasting
Silver members
- Green Hammer
- HIV Alliance
- Hunger-Free Oregon
- Innovative Housing, Inc.
- Metropolitan Family Service
- The Partners Group
- Pearl Animal Hospital
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Mari's memo
With the stroke of the pen, President Joe Biden made it clear that his administration will not stand for racism and injustice. The president signed four executive orders aimed at combatting racial inequities and helping marginalized communities, including phasing out of private prisons, mitigating racial bias in federal housing policies, recommitting the government to respecting tribal sovereignty, and addressing xenophobia and violence against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.
White House Domestic Policy Advisor, Susan Rice, is leading these efforts. She said that advancing equity is everyone’s job. I couldn’t agree more. Diversity, equity and inclusion isn’t just good for people of color. It’s smart policy that can help lift up everyone.
President Biden’s speech on his racial equity agenda is available online.
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