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How can we make Vermont more welcoming and inclusive of the BIPOC community?

Topic

How can we make Vermont more welcoming and inclusive for our diverse community? Panel discussion followed by Q&A.

Vermont is one of the least diverse states in the nation. With that as our starting point, how can Vermont attract more people with diverse backgrounds and help them find community so they decide to stay? Join a panel of professionals working to promote diversity and equity in area businesses and institutions to hear about lessons they’ve learned in the workplace, and how those lessons can be applied to make the Green Mountain State more welcoming and inclusive. About The Marna and Stephen Wise Tulin Community Education Series: In 2015, Howard Center began offering a free and open to the public, spring and fall community education series as part of our mission and service to the community. Sessions include presentations, panel discussions, and film screenings with rich conversation followed by a Q & A. Presenters and discussants are subject matter experts, service providers, and community members with lived experience exploring topics like the opioid epidemic, trauma, suicide risk and prevention, autism, policing, mental illness and recovery, disability, peer support, transgender, and sleep, to name a few. Our community education series emphasizes our commitment to our community by helping to educate, inform, reduce stigma, and increase awareness about a variety of current topics. We recognize that through education, we can help to shape a more compassionate and engaged community. During COVID we began offering virtual Zoom webinars. Presentations are videotaped and available in an archive at www.howardcenter.org.

Speakers

Dr. Marissa N. Coleman is the Vice President of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at the University of Vermont Medical Center. She is a practicing bilingual, clinical psychologist and a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at The Robert Larner, M.D. College of Medicine at The University of Vermont. Dr. Coleman has been a guest speaker at international conferences and media outlets including CNN Español, International Society of Traumatic Stress Studies, and several local news outlets. She worked in multiple international contexts, particularly working with individuals and communities disaffected by human rights violations, conflict/war, torture, health epidemics, and trauma. For Dr. Coleman’s full bio visit https://howardcenter.org/community-education/community-education-series-spring-2022/

Yasamin Gordon
Yasamin Gordon (she/ her) is the Equity Director for the City of Winooski. Ms. Gordon has 20 years of experience in social justice & equity advocacy, community engagement & outreach and has a thorough understanding of systemic and institutional racism. Yasamin is in constant collaboration with diverse populations, uplifts and seeks to amplify voices of the oppressed & marginalized. Ms. Gordon worked previously as a LEAD DEI Coach for the Champlain Valley School District and Planning Room Director for Shelburne Community School, as well as previous social work in the non- profit sector. She has had the pleasure of presenting for local and national DE & I Organizations and is personally invested in & actively engaged in dismantling systemic oppression. She is an international traveler and her daily inspirations are the writings and teachings of Nelson Mandela and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Tino Rutanhira

Tino Rutanhira was born in Harare, Zimbabwe. He completed university studies in South Africa before immigrating to the US. Tino is currently employed at Dealer.com. He sits on the Board of The Lake Champlain Chamber of Commerce as well as the Board of The Janet S Munt Family Room. An Entrepreneur by heart, Tino has produced and hosted his own podcast, owns and operates Best In VT Tours & Charters, acted in a play at the Flynn, and performed Standup Comedy at the VT Comedy Club. In 2019, he co-founded the Vermont Professionals of Color Network. When not working or creating, Tino enjoys listening to music or podcasts, and watching or playing in competitive sports. Most importantly, Tino is a single parent of the most beautiful, intelligent, independent, motivated 16 year old daughter. Parenting is by far his biggest source of pride and joy.

 


Dr. Jude Smith Rachele
Jude is the CEO and co-founder of Abundant Sun, an international consulting firm. She is a social entrepreneur, academic, artist, and a public speaker. Originally from the USA, Jude has for decades lived and worked internationally between the UK, Europe, and the Americas. She is a highly experienced, charismatic, dynamic, and insightful leader, and a regular moderator of Howard Center’s conferences and events. Jude started her career as a diversity and inclusion trainer, but has since dedicated herself to cultural transformation driven specifically by data analytics, business ethics, leadership and governance. She has designed numerous programs to help professionals display inclusive behaviors, to understand and respond respectfully to various cultural traditions, behaviors and values, and most importantly to improve their ethical decision-making processes. For Dr. Smith Rachele’s full bio visit https://howardcenter.org/community-education/community-education-series-spring-2022/.

Date

May 18 2022
Expired!

Time

6:00 pm - 7:30 pm

Local Time

  • Timezone: America/New_York
  • Date: May 18 2022
  • Time: 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm

More Info

Register Here

Location

Virtual
Virtual
Category

Organizer

Howard Center
Howard Center
Website
https://howardcenter.org
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1 Comment
  • Sarahjane Dube, May 19, 2022 Reply

    Is there a recording of this discussion available or to-be-posted on Howard Center's YouTube channel? My town is starting a DEI Committee and we would love to listen to the discussion if possible.
    Thank you!


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