Welcome from the DEI Office!
The School of Social Work's Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is excited to welcome everyone for the new academic year!

The DEI Office coordinates the School's efforts in advancing our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Strategic Plan. We are a small team of students, faculty, and staff who work alongside members of our community to advance diversity, equity and inclusion and anti-racism at all levels in the SSW.

Our office looks forward to building community with you and invite your input to inform our efforts as we recognize there is much work to be done. Let us know how we can be of support, and welcome to the DEI family!

You can learn more about our office here: https://ssw.umich.edu/about/diversity-equity-inclusion
Larry Gant
Director
Lauren Davis
Assistant Director
Megan Leys
MSW Intern
Brianna Suggs
MSW Intern
Upcoming DEI Activities
Join the September
Undoing Racism Meeting

Undoing Racism is a community collective of students, staff, and faculty in the School of Social Work dedicated to fighting white supremacy at individual, school, and structural levels.

This workgroup was established in 2019 after students, staff, and faculty took part in the People's Institute for Survival and Beyond Undoing Racism© workshops. Since then, the Undoing Racism workgroup has been working to implement the People’s Institute anti-racist community organizing model – recognizing that community organizing within our school is critical to move toward an anti-racist and anti-oppressive program to bring along all members of the community.

We will be kicking off our first meeting of the fall semester on Thursday, September 3 from 12-2 PM (ET). A Zoom link will be sent out to those who RSVP.
ENGAGE Virtual Series

Thursday, September 10, 2020
12:00 - 1:30 PM
Join the ENGAGE team for a discussion featuring prominent water justice activists Monica Lewis Patrick and Bryce Detroit to discuss their work, how water injustice is tied to historic and systemic discrimination, and how lack of access to clean, safe water has exacerbated our current public health crises.

CASC + ENGAGE: Racial Equity Washtenaw County
Thursday, September 17, 2020
12:00 - 1:30 PM

Join for a special joint-session to explore how racial and socioeconomic inequity in Washtenaw County is connected to historic and ongoing discriminatory policies and practices.
A Glorious and Inclusive Welcome with Common Roots
Wednesday, September 16, 2020
5 - 7 PM
Join Common Roots for this session celebrating individuals with identities that have been historically underrepresented.

Common Roots is a committee consisting of representatives from the SSW’s Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, LatinX Social Work Coalition, Black Radical Healing Pathways, Association of Black Social Workers, Office of Student Services, Asian Pacific Islander Coalition and other SSW students.

For more information, you can reach the planning committee at: commonroots@umich.edu. 
Enhance your skills in Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Rackham Graduate School offers a Professional Development DEI Certificate designed to prepare participants to work in a diverse environment while fostering a climate of inclusivity.

All DEI Certificate learning opportunities will take place virtually in fall 2020. Apply by Friday, September 11, 2020.
21 Day Equity Challenge:
United Way of Washtenaw
United Way of Washtenaw County is kicking off a 21-Day Equity Challenge-Michigan Edition on September 8. If you're interested in deepening your understanding of racism in Michigan, sign up at the link below. Participants will be equipped with resources and tools to take action for racial equity in their work and lives.

During every morning of the Challenge, you'll receive an email "prompt" with readings, videos and/or podcasts. You are encouraged to take about ten to fifteen minutes each day with the material in the prompt.

September 8 - 28, 2020
Celebrate Latinx Heritage Month
September 15 - October 15
The Latinx Heritage Month Planning Committee is excited to share the Save the Date for the Latinx Heritage Month 2020 Opening Ceremony! The ceremony will occur on Monday, September 14th virtually at 7 PM EST. 

The reveal of the calendar and logo will be shared with the community within the next couple of weeks. If you would like to submit an event to be featured on the LHM 2020 Calendar please fill out this form.
Get connected to
DEI Resources across campus...

University of Michigan
School of Social Work
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
ssw-dei-office@umich.edu