A Note from the DEI Office
“Sticks in a bundle are unbreakable”
-African Proverb

I am sure we can all agree that this semester has been a struggle from the Thousand Oaks shooting in California, that left 13 dead, the shooting of 11 individuals praying in a synagogue to the domestic terrorist attack in a Kroger grocery store that killed two black individuals Maurice Stallard, and Vickie Lee Jones .

I hope that you all have found time to de-stress, relax, find some peace, and have some fun amidst what has been going on at the school of social work, the University, the United States, and beyond. We should use this time to reflect on what makes America great which is the make up of all of us. Whatever your race, age, gender, sex, orientation, belief system or any other identity you might hold, you are valued, you are loved, and you matter. 

Akintude Oluwadare
Program Assistant
Upcoming DEI Events
Transgender Awareness Week Keynote Speaker-Reyna Ortiz
November 14, 2018
6:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Reyna Ortiz has been working for over four years at task force Prevention & Community Services and has been involved with the transgender community since 2000. When she began to frequent other transgender women who were sex workers, Reyna then started to share her knowledge and help find resources available for the community. Learn More
Check out these additional Transgender Awareness Week Events
The goal of this conference is to equip individuals with knowledge and strategies to engage in community organizing and individual action to resist white supremacy.

Attendees will have the opportunity to learn from action-driven leaders in social justice, participate in small and large group discussions, and develop action plans for adopting social justice lifestyles.
Native American Heritage Month
Although the first "American Indian Day" was celebrated in May 1916 in New York, a month-long recognition of Native Americans did not happen until 1990. That year, President George H.W. Bush signed a joint congressional resolution designating November as National American Indian Heritage Month. Since then, the title has expanded to celebrate the heritage, history, art, and traditions of American Indians and Alaska Natives.

Each year, we honor the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors had lived in North America for hundreds of years.
Ikwewag Noojimowag Endaazhi-Waawiyekizowag: Standing in a Circle, the Women are Healers
Thursday, November 15, 2018
Educational Conference Center
5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Join Anishinaabe Elder Mona Stonefish for an evening of healing and restoration of the self through tradition and culture, as we learn about the experiences of North American Indian women. Feast will be cooked by Jonathan Fowler, Native chef. Learn More
Call to Action - DEI Impact Awards
CALL FOR NOMINATIONS!

The DEI Impact Award is being established to recognize individuals or groups in the School of Social Work who have made significant contributions to advancing diversity, equity, & inclusion (DEI) in the School or in the community.

This award is open to all current SSW students, faculty, staff, groups and student organizations, and may be awarded to up to three individuals or groups each Fall. Self-nominations are welcomed.

Nominations will be reviewed by a committee of students, faculty, and staff. Join us for the DEI Impact Awards Ceremony on December 10th at noon to honor the award winners and nominees. RSVP Here .
DEI Spotlight - DEI Student Advisory Board
GRADUATE & PROFESSIONAL
DEI STUDENT ADVISORY BOARD REPRESENTATIVES

The University of Michigan's Vice President for Student Life along with the Dean of Students established institutional student advisory boards to provide consistent student engagement and service to the implementation leads of each DEI action team. 

Three students from the School of Social Work are newly serving on the graduate and professional board. Cuauhtemoc Salinas Martell will represent the students of the School of Social Work. Two social work dual degree students, Najeia Mention, who will represent students from Public Health and Madel Leal, representing students from the School of Information, were both also selected for this board.

Join us in congratulating these students on this wonderful accomplishment. In 2016, over 125 applicants applied, with only twenty-five students selected to serve on this board. Learn More.
Cuauhtemoc Salinas Martell
Management of Human Services and Children and Youth
Salinas is confident in his ability to create safe and brave spaces for graduate students.

Salinas wants Latinx, undocumented/DACAmented, queer and first-generation students to know that their voices matter and that their presence at this institution is what will motivate future lideres y sonadores.
Madel Leal
 Dual Degree MSW & MSI Community Organizing and Community and Social Systems

Madel previously served at the President of the School of Social Work's Student Union. She is passionate about youth and women empowerment, and has worked for several years in the non-profit field to empower first generation students to gain access to higher education. In addition, she is passionate about the different intersectionalities of first generation students, and the access to higher education.
Najeia Mention
Dual Degree MSW & MPH Interpersonal Practice and Mental Health & Health Behavior and Health Education

As a first-generation student, she is passionate about advocating for and supporting the needs of underrepresented populations, especially as they navigate spaces of higher education.

She hopes to acquire skills and knowledge to design and implement culturally relevant mental health programs and policies for African Americans.
DEI Spotlight - I'mwIthyou Rainbow Parachute
"Our Justice is Intersectional"
"I'm With You"

On November 1st, students joined together in solidarity with the LGBTQIA community, survivors of sexual assault, people of color, those facing anti-blackness, antisemitism, Islamophobia, immigrants, LatinX community, members in the disability community, and everyone impacted by the current U.S. administration. Learn more
DEI Highlights - Event Recaps
Climate Survey Event
On October 29 students gathered for the Student Forum on School Climate. During this event, the results of the student climate survey from Fall 2017 were shared and discussed by School of Social Work students. Student attendees engaged in small group discussions to review the impact of the survey results on the current school climate.

Be on the look out for another student forum on school climate. Please fill out our
Climate Survey to give feedback on climate in the SSW.
The Impact of Episodes: Lunch & Discuss
On October 22, The Impact of Episodes: Lunch & Discuss began with a viewing of the HBO hit TV show Insecure. Following the viewing of the episode, attending students discussed the impact of the episode over a provided lunch and it's connection to social work.
Policy Pop-Up Talk
Dr. Karen Staller led a pop-up policy discussion focused on the leaked policy memo among Trump administration officials defining gender in ways that discriminate against transgender, non-binary, and intersex populations. The focus was specifically on the policy-related dimension of this issue, situated the debate within a broader policy framework, and outlined the current policy landscape as it relates to civil rights.
A House Divided: The History of Segregation & Legacy of Gentrification in Detroit
Recognizing the 50th anniversary of the Fair Housing Act, Jamon Jordan spoke to a packed room on the history and widespread practice of housing discrimination in Detroit and the ongoing  fight for civil rights in the city.
DEI Coffee & Conversation
Thank you to all who stopped by the DEI Coffee & Conversation Open House on November 8th and shared in community and feedback for the DEI Office!
Toolbox for Social Workers
DEI Feedback Form
Provide feedback for future DEI events
Anxiety - Deep Breaths
Networking Techniques