Description
The Leading for Equity, Anti-Racism, and Diversity (L.E.A.D.) initiative is a training and coaching series offered by the School of Social Work’s Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
Participants complete four modules designed to increase their understanding of their individual bias, learn about systemic oppression, and create concrete action steps to make a change:
LEAD Module 1: Unpacking Identity & Oppression
LEAD Module 2: Understanding Systems of Oppression and Power
LEAD Module 3: Navigating Difficult Dialogues
LEAD Module 4: Learning Community
After completing L.E.A.D., our LEADers participate in our L.E.A.D. Learning Community is a space to expand understanding, hold each other accountable, work collaboratively, and build community.
Instructor
As the School of Social Work’s first assistant dean for diversity, equity, and inclusion, Neijma Celestine-Donnor will help lead the school's diversity and anti-oppression efforts and guide the achievement of a new standard for inclusive excellence. As a member of the dean’s executive leadership team, Celestine-Donnor has a strategic position responsible for promoting and enabling an inclusive environment for faculty, students, and staff while championing organizational change.
Grounded in pursuing social justice for minority populations and supporting equity in higher education, Celestine-Donnor is an experienced leader focused on providing strategic oversight for protocols, services, and policies related to campus climate. She uses her clinical and conflict resolution skills to provide individual and systemic trauma-informed outreach, advocacy, and support for all. Her extensive experience developing, facilitating, and assessing professional development workshops, training, and programming designed to enhance the intercultural competency of students, faculty, and staff will be a tremendous benefit to the school.
Celestine-Donnor comes to the school from the University of Maryland, College Park, where she served as director of campus climate support and engagement in the Division of Diversity and Inclusion. She is a 2009 graduate of the School of Social Work’s MSW program and previously served as a clinical training instructor and adjunct faculty member at the school. In addition, Celestine-Donnor is studying for a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Baltimore.
(she/her) is the DEI Coordinator in the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at the University of Maryland Baltimore, School of Social Work. In her role, she develops diversity and inclusion-focused education, programs, and events for the SSW faculty, staff, students, and local community. Locally, Julia also works with Baltimore Racial Justice Action (BRJA), which works with individuals and organizations to fight against racism & other forms of institutional oppression. With BRJA, she serves as an Advisory Board Member, Primary Trainer, and 13th of the Month Event Co-Coordinator. Her interest revolves around using Anti-Racist and Anti-Oppression frameworks to approach community building and leadership programming. Julia earned her bachelor’s degree in English Literature from Morgan State University.
Agenda & Learning Objectives
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
Upon the completion of this workshop, participants will be able to:
- To learn and understand key themes, language, and definitions regarding Systems of Oppression and Power
- To learn the different levels of oppression and how they act together to reinforce oppressive ideas and policies both personally and professionally
- To explore and understand the importance of power analysis and the different types of power to use in personal and work environments
- To assess their organization or unit using the Anti-Racist Continuum and identify ways to disrupt oppression in personal and professional spaces
- To learn what personal and organizational practices can help break the cycle of racism and oppression, and create a more inclusive work and learning environments
Bibliography & References
BIBLIOGRAPHY & REFERENCES
Bibliography/References:
Brown, A. C. (2018). I’m Still Here: Black Dignity in a world made for whiteness. Convergent.
Crossroads Ministry, Chicago, IL: Adapted from original concept by Bailey Jackson and Rita Hardiman, and further developed by Andrea Avazian and Ronice Branding; further adapted by Melia LaCour, PSESD.
Hunjan, R., & Keophilavon, S. (2010). Power and making change happen. Fife: Carnegie UK Trust.
Lawrence, K., Sutton, S., Kubisch, A., Susi, G., & Fulbright-Anderson, K. (Eds.). (2004). Structural Racism and Community Building. The Aspen Institute.
Morgan, J. D.,et al. (2018, May). What Racism Looks Like: An Infographic. Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Santa Fe Community Foundation Equity Framework
VeneKlasen, L., & Miller, V. (2007). A new weave of power, people & politics: The action guide for advocacy and citizen participation. Warwickshire: Practical Action Publishing.
Late Fees and Refunds
Fee & Registration:
Cost is $150 and includes CE credit. Registering after September 15, 2023 will incur an additional $20 late fee. *Cancellations must be received 24 hours in advance prior to the live interactive webinar to receive a refund or a credit letter.
*All cancellations will be subjected to a $35.00 administration fee
Target Audience
Social Workers, LCPCs, and Psychologists
All those interested in Topic Welcomed
