Lights: Our March Focus on DEI

Lights! Camera! Action!

Equal Rights for All

Our March Focus on DEI and So Much More By Barbara Smith

Even several days after the event, I am still so energized by all that happened during our branch meeting on March 15 that I want to share some of the highlights with all of you.

As we gathered, we had ample time to enjoy refreshments and view the amazing art on the walls of the Roberts Family Development Center before President Nancy McCabe called the meeting to order.  Then Lisa Howard and Jessica Waugh shined the lights on a challenging series of activities related to issues of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.  Each activity required thoughtful responses and an exchange of ideas by all of us. (action)  For example, we:

  • Answered individual quiz questions focused on Black History Month based on Lisa’s February Capital Ideas article
  • Watched a video illustrating intrinsic bias, how it develops and the devastating effect it can have even when neither party intends to cause harm
  • Used an illustrated handout showing a series of concentric circles called The Wheel of Privilege, which required us to place ourselves in various categories such as level of education, level of income, gender, etc. This required the most introspection and elicited the most open-ended discussion of the day! How do we see ourselves and people who are different from us?

About mid-morning, we were warmly welcomed by Tina Roberts (co-founder of the RFDC 24 years ago with husband Darrell).  She explained that their goal has always been to educate the family by providing after-school care, including homework help and teaching parenting skills.  They encourage family involvement on local school and other community boards to make their voices heard.  “Our community is only as good as its families, and we want to create a strong community,” she said.

I could go on and on, but I hope I have piqued your curiosity about the wonderful events of this memorable day, which reminded me of the importance of in-person meetings and open-ended discussions.  Talk to Lisa, Jessica, Nancy, Hedda, or me at the Author’s Luncheon on April 26.