A Note From the DEI Office

Happy Black History Month and Beyond! It has been a privilege to work in the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at the School of Social Work. As bell hooks reminds us, the personal is political, and so much of the work we are tasked with in our nation is unveiling the truth so that we can be honest with ourselves to transform the systems we inhabit.  As our country celebrates the many Black leaders, artists, educators, activists, and entrepreneurs from the past and present during Black History Month, I would like to highlight the truth that Black history is American History. The sacrifices and contributions of our ancestors continue to influence the work that needs to be done today. In addition to bringing light to those who have paved roads for many of us today, I would like to encourage those a part of the African Diaspora to prioritize pause, reflection, and healing. The personal IS political, and when we take small moments to rest, that rest is resistance.  With peace and love, take care of yourselves first so that we may keep pushing forward the fight for the phrase, “Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” to include us all.   Brianna Suggs MSW Intern

Black Excellence Display In celebration of Black History Month, the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion wants to recognize the work being done by members of the School of Social Work that uplifts the Black Community. Nominated students, staff, faculty, alumni and/or organizations will be displayed in the School of Social Work on the first floor during the month of February. Thank you to those who have submitted nominations!

Upcoming DEI Events

Black History Month: Claiming, Celebrating, Liberating MESA is focused on bringing forth a diverse set of voices and experiences to highlight the different yet all valid experiences that African Americans face on and off campus. We hope to highlight the history of African Americans on campus, as well as celebrate the progress that has been made towards achieving equity. We would also like to facilitate critical dialogue on how other people on campus can act as allies, as well. Celebrating the Historical Greatness, Successes, and Achievements of “All” Black People who matter throughout history that have revolutionized today’s America by recognizing artists, speakers, writers, activists, advocates, practitioners, poets, athletes, chefs, humanitarians, etc.. since 1619 observing 400 years of black history.

LGBTQ Health and Wellness Week Keynote Speaker - Dr. Joy Saniyah Monday, February 3rd, 2020 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM 1840 SSWB (ECC) We're kicking off Health and Wellness Week with a very special keynote speaker, Dr. Joy Saniyah! She will be presenting based on the question: "what is right with you?" and talking about what you can do to improve your overall wellness while focusing on your strengths. RSVP HERE

Black History Month Kicks Off with Dr. Yusef Salaam of the Exonerated Five, formally known as the Central Park Five Monday, February 3rd, 2020 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM Michigan Union Ballroom We are honored to welcome Dr. Yusef Salaam as our keynote speaker for Black History Month. Dr. Salaam, one of the Exonerated Five, actively works to advocate on issues of mass incarceration, police brutality and misconduct, false confessions, press ethics and bias, race and law, and the disparities in America’s criminal justice system, especially for young men of color.

Black History Month Donation Drive February 3rd, 2020 - February 17th, 2020 McGregor Commons, SSWB This Black History Month, Black Radical Healing Pathways (BRHP) would like to celebrate the legacy of our ancestors by supporting our community through service and donation.  BRHP will be collecting donations for local non-profit agencies and shelters that serve Black youth and families. Often their donations do not affirm nor culturally reflect the needs of Black folx, specifically. They are looking for items such as Black dolls, Black hair/skin care products, Black children’s books etc. The donation drive will commence during Black History Month on 2/3/2020 with an end date of 2/17/2020.   The donations will be taken to each agency throughout the last week in February. Please use this Amazon Wishlist to ship items to BRHP directly or drop off donations into the large box located at the SSW in the McGregor Commons.

The Accent is Black English Tuesday, February 4, 2020 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM Brownlee, Rm. 2327, 2nd Floor SOE Black speakers of Caribbean English or other World Englishes are at times cast as English Learners, even when they are English fluent. One point educators contend with is that the "World Englishes" or Englishes that are situated in parts of the world that are not predominantly White, tend to be inherently seen as diminished in value. What is the work of educators in disrupting this gaze about students who are English fluent even as their teachers say they are not? Join us for a brown bag lunch facilitated by Dr. Debi Khasnabis, Chair of Elementary Teacher Education and Clinical Associate Professor, and Brittnee Johnson, MAT student. This marks the second day: Diversity and Globalism. RSVP HERE

We Value You Wednesday, February 5th, 2020 12:15 PM - 2:00 PM McGregor Commons, SSWB We Value You is an event that will showcase the new enlarged Inclusion Sign that will be displayed on the glass above the stairwell in the main lobby. This event will be a place where we express the importance and appreciation of all of our identities and their intersections. RSVP HERE

LGBTQ+ Health & Wellness Week (02/03/2020 - 02/07/2020) LGBTQ+ Health & Wellness Week is a series of events hosted by the Spectrum Center in partnership with various campus and community groups. The goal is that the events offered will create spaces in which both students and community members can engage and will find meaningful, valuable, and useful to their own lives. This is the first time the Spectrum Center has hosted a week around this particular topic, which takes a look at the intersection of gender, sexuality, and attractionality as it relates to health and wellness.

Repairing the Fault Line: Making School Spaces Safe Spaces for Trans + Queer Black Students Wednesday, February 5th, 2020 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM Kofi House | 135 Hazelwood Street, Detroit, MI 48202 Our third day marks a focus on the theme of Trans-Affirming, Queer Affirming, Intersectionality. Partnering with the Spectrum Center on campus and Ruth Ellis in Detroit, this community conversation centers the voices and experiences of Black youth and educators who identify as LGBTQ+ to respond to the questions: What are the experiences Black trans and queer students are having in schools? What are the solutions they’re proposing to make their schooling experiences ones in which they are able to experience imagination and possibility? RSVP HERE

LGBTQ Health and Wellness Week Keynote Speaker - Dr. Brett Kruzsch Wednesday, February 5th, 2020 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM 1840 SSWB (ECC) Dr. Brett Krutzsch presents "Queer Martyrdom: The Religious and Sexual Politics of LGBTQ Inclusion". This talk will compare the LGBTQ murder that generated the most media attention in the country’s history—the killing of white, gay, college student Matthew Shepard in 1998—with a similar LGBTQ murder that received considerably less attention—the killing of Native American, two-spirit, high school student F.C. Martinez in 2001. RSVP HERE

Black Families, Villages, and Authors: Celebrating the Joy in your Identity Thursday, February 6th, 2020 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM Angell Elementary School Books are both mirrors and windows. They offer us a reflection of our own lives and experiences as well as an opportunity to see into the lives and experiences of others. The stories we read have the power to give us a place where we can see ourselves, and others, as joyful, passionate, and playful. What does this actually look like? How do we see this in books by Black authors? How do Black authors offer us both windows and mirrors that help us see the joy we have in ourselves and the joy we give to others? Join us as we highlight books by Black authors and share resources for books and conversations about finding joy in who we are. At this family-friendly event, all are welcome for crafts, food, and interactive read alouds that demonstrate the power that books have. This focus on Intergenerational Black families and Black villages marks the fourth day. RSVP HERE BLACK JOY, PERIODT. Friday, February 7th, 2020 11:00 PM -12:30 PM Prechter Lab - School of Education, 2nd Floor Bring your spades game (and be clear about the rules before you play), your favorite playlists, dance steps, your appetite, ideas for how we can create joy in school spaces, and get loose with us for our final day of Black Lives Matter Week of Action in Schools: Uplifting Black Women and Unapologetically Black! RSVP HERE

Black History Month Health & Wellness Basketball Game Friday, February 7th, 2020 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM Intramural Sports Building 1st Black History Month Health and Wellness Charity Basketball Game hosted by Multi-Ethnic Student Affairs and Rec Sports. This exciting sporting event allows both student affairs professionals, faculty, and student leaders alike to engage in a playful scrimmage held in the IM sports building. This event will be open to all of the UM community to come watch and cheer players on.

Queer & Trans Artists of Color Book Read Event #2 w/Darryl Terrell Saturday, February 8th, 2020 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM Stamps Gallery Join us for back-to-back talks by artists Noura Ballout, micha cardénas and Darryl DeAngelo Terrell. Following the presentations, Ballout and Terrell will lead a group discussion on the books Queer & Trans Artists of Color, Volumes 1 and 2. This program is part of the Spectrum Center LGBTQ Health & Wellness Week. RSVP HERE

Code Switching Thursday, February 13th, 2020, 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM South Dome Arbor Lakes Building 3  4251 Plymouth Road Ann Arbor, Michigan 48105 Information & Technology Services presents: Do you change the way you speak at work? Do you feel you have to modify your behavior, appearance, etc., to adapt to different sociocultural norms of the workplace? Learn more about the roots of Code Switching and how this relates to this year’s MLK theme: The (Mis)Education of US. Social Justice in the Real World: Alumni Panel and Mixer Tuesday, February 18th, 2020 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM SSWB, RM TBD Join us a for a panel discussion and mixer with CASC Minor alumni. Panelists will share their stories and journey engaging in social justice and change work. Learn more about their academic career as undergraduate students, experience in the minor, and the challenges, and lessons learned about applications of social justice "in the real world". Light dinner served.

Healing from Racial Trauma: Lessons from a Public Health Intervention Monday, February 24th, 2020 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM 1840 SSWB (ECC)  For youth and adults of color, prolonged exposure to racial discrimination may result in debilitating psychological, behavioral, and health outcomes. To help their children prepare for and prevent the deleterious consequences of discrimination, many parents of color utilize racial socialization, or communication about racialized experiences. Given heightened awareness to discrimination plaguing Black communities, better understanding of how racial socialization processes and skills development can help youth and parents heal from the effects of past, current, and future racial trauma is important. Greater racial socialization competency is proposed as achievable through intentional and mindful practice, thus, this workshop will explore theories and practices important in the healing processes of racial trauma.  RSVP HERE

Webinar: From Woodson to Wakanda: Emancipatory Pedagogy & The Miseducation of the Negro in American Higher Education Today February 26, 2020 3:00 - 4:30 PM (CST) Carter Goodwin Woodson published “The Miseducation of the Negro,” which offered a critique of American education and schooling for Black kids. He argued that the system was designed to miseducate them about themselves, their history, their potential and place in society. In this interactive session, Dr. Terrell Strayhorn, a leading voice on issues of race, equity, and diversity, will draw bright lines of connection between Woodson’s book and the film, Black Panther to advance the need for “Emancipatory Pedagogy (EP),” a form of teaching/advising that empowers the disempowered, documents the undocumented, and liberates the learner to the place of possibility. Using a blend of theory, social commentary, empirical evidence, and anecdotes, Strayhorn will offer specific strategies for doing EP in higher education. Please n ote that there is a $25 Registration Fee. Register Here

Change will not come if we wait for some other person, or if we wait for some other time. We are the ones we’ve been waiting for. We are the change that we seek.– Barack Obama

University of Michigan School of Social Work Diversity, Equity and Inclusion 734-615-5085 ssw-dei-office@umich.edu https://ssw.umich.edu/about/diversity-equity-inclusion Find past issues of the DEI newsletter here .