February 2019
Inclusive Communities Celebrates Black History Month

Black History Month was created in 1926 in the United States, when historian Carter G. Woodson and the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History announced the second week of  February  to be "Negro History Week".

Starting in 1976, Black History Month was officially recognized in February. As many carry on the traditions of acknowledging the past contributions of Black and African Americans, we also must recognize that we are still making history. From film to education to social justice, young and old Black Americans are making change in our country for the betterment of all people.  

Inclusive Communities will continue to champion the achievements of those who came before us and embolden the legacy of leaders yet to come. There is much work to be done and we are excited to rise to this challenge!

Inclusive Communities is proud to announce we are growing our team and are seeking to hire a new Program Partner. 

Sharing the Love for IncluCity!
Each night at IncluCity camp, we do a "talking stick" activity in which we pass around the stick and everyone says a word about how they are feeling after the day's activities. We asked a few participants to expand upon their words after the first night of our January camp:
SERENE
"It's a relief to be around this many like-minded people... to have this many people that understand you and what you are going through - it's a relief. It can be hard to explain, but here, everyone is on the same level and it really envelopes the experience."
~Dashawn
MOVED
"Everyone was scared last year anticipating what life would be like. Now that it's happening, I'm relieved to see that the generation after me is still so hopeful."
~Lyric
OVERWHELMED
"[IncluCity] teaches a myriad of information that a regular public educational setting failed to get through to me. It's almost like I've been cheated, and am just now getting compensation. Lectures can only go so far, but this is what it should be."
~Haily



Lozier Omaha Table Talk
Thank you to all who joined us for the Omaha Table Talk: Power Structures on February 12! We had an opportunity to view the powerful 30 Americans exhibition, and to participate in engaging conversation around the power dynamics and imbalances that lead to and perpetuate racial discrimination in America. This OTT was presented in partnership with Joslyn Art Museum and College of St. Mary.
Upcoming OTT Events
Food Access & Classism
Tuesday, Feb. 21, 11:30am-1:00pm

Some might wonder, what does making smart decisions about food have to do with class? Join us to explore the intersection of food access and classism. Conversations about food deserts start to look different when we ask if one group of people are affected disproportionately to others. Questions like “why can I buy an entire meal at a fast food restaurant for four dollars, but not a healthy, balanced meal?” take on new meaning when you are struggling to make ends meet. The panel will dive into all of that and more with recommendations for action and solutions that can improve the well being of all of us.
Ageism
Tuesday, March 12, 6:00-7:30pm

Can too much experience be a bad thing? Would companies creating job posts that seek out younger applicants be considered age discrimination? Why is it so hard to prove ageism? With some politicians determined to end Social Security and seniors losing pensions, how does ageism affect people looking to go back to work? Join us as we look into these tough and important questions and more. It is reported that the percentage of people over the age of 65 in the US will increase from 18% to almost 30% by 2060. That’s a big number of people that can’t be left out of inclusive conversations. Are we doing enough?
Workplace Wednesday Workshops
Diversity and Inclusion in Your Workplace

This 90-minute workshop series hosted by Inclusive Communities will be open to the public for a small fee.  Space is limited to 30 attendees. The workshop series will include our base level programming for adults in the workplace. This series is perfect for individuals who are wanting to learn more about diversity and how to be advocates for inclusive work environments.

Workshop Dates:
March 13, 3-4:30pm - Social Identities and Perspective
April 10, 11am-12:30pm - Language and Discrimination
May 15, 3-4:30pm - Culture and Inclusion

Individual workshops: Nonprofit & Students: $15, Corporate: $30
Training the Trainers
Wednesday, March 6 - Thursday, March 7
8:30am - 4:30pm both days

In March, we're hosting a two-day "Train the Trainer" session to prepare individuals and organizations with the skills necessary to educate others about diversity, inclusion, equity and social justice.  Click here to register.
Join Us April 7 for the Humanitarian Brunch!
We've been gathering Omaha’s best and brightest to honor those with a steadfast commitment to making the Omaha community a better place for everyone for more than 80 years. Now more than ever, we need to recognize those who are dedicated to creating more inclusive communities.

Join us for our 2019 Humanitarian Brunch on Sunday, April 7, 2019 with Guest Speaker Vu Le, writer, speaker, vegan, Pisces and Executive Director of Rainier Valley Corps, a social justice nonprofit.

The Brunch will start at noon with a happy hour, featuring a Bloody Mary and mimosa bar until 1 p.m. A hosted brunch and program will follow immediately afterward.

For more information or to have your name added to the invite list please contact Suzanna George at 402-391-4460 or Suzanna@Inclusive-Communities.org  . You can also learn more about Vu Le here. 
Cultural Inclusion Summit

Inclusive Communities is proud to partner once again with Omaha Performing Arts for their annual Inclusion Summit! This professional development opportunity for senior leaders, managers, and employees will hi-light cultural inclusivity to ensure a more open, inclusive, and understanding in the workplace. Using a shared theater experience as a point of reference, participants will gain valuable skills in creating an inclusive work environment, understanding bias, and building a diverse workforce.
 
This summit is geared towards employees from both corporate and non-profit organizations along with community leaders.