Cheryl Alexander & Associates, Inc’s Post

A good piece (as are all Bronwyn's other substack articles). As I was reading Bronwyn's excellent description of Diversity and the difference between that and Inclusion it came to my mind parallels can be drawn with what are often put forward as the 3 needs of marginalised communities: Visibility, Safety, Empowerment. Diversity is broadly equivalent to Visibility, i.e. there are different types of people represented. Safety is broadly similar to Inclusion i.e. those people must be made to feel like they belong and are safe in the workplace / community. However it seems to me what we are missing in the discussion of D&I is Empowerment. This is different from Inclusion. Empowerment is giving people from marginalised communities control over their own destinies, giving them the power to direct and control the actions of organisations as it affects their lives and communities. Empowerment is by a long shot the scariest, most dangerous and highest risk of the three needs of marginalised communities. This risk carries with it the opportunity for great reward, reward that typically benefits many, not just the marginalised. That is where I would like to see the conversation exploring.

🌿✨ Towards Multispecies Inclusivity and Justice – Embracing Indigenous Wisdom for Peaceful Coexistence Across Species ✨🌿 Thank you to all the presenters and participants for your insightful contributions at the #Gender, #Work, and #Organization 2024 conference stream "Towards Multispecies Inclusivity and Justice – Embracing Indigenous Wisdom for Peaceful Coexistence Across Species." Though relatively small in size, the stream was thriving with thought-provoking presentations and vibrant discussions. Together, we explored diverse topics such as organizing at an #animal sanctuary, the sticky relations of #care, speculative fabulation, violence towards animals in professional kitchens, animals in agriculture, and sonar-o-graphy as a method. These critical discussions have left me feeling inspired and energized. Animal Organization Studies will grow as a field, and it is truly heartening to witness the emergence of such important dialogues in Organization Studies. The future is bright with these critical perspectives, and I am happy to be a part of this transformative movement. Together, we are paving the way for a more inclusive and just world for all species. 🌍 #MultispeciesInclusivity #IndigenousWisdom #AnimalRights #AnimalWork #CareWork #SpeculativeFabulation #Agriculture #AnimalSanctuary #CriticalDiscussions #PeacefulCoexistence

Increasing LGBTQ+ inclusion & competency in wildlife sciences: intersections of sociocultural, structural, and historic barriers to inclusion

Exciting News! 🎉 Join me at the upcoming Puentes event at the University of Michigan where I'll present not one, but TWO impactful projects aimed at empowering and uplifting the Hispanic and Latinx community. Breaking Barriers: Empowering The Hispanic and Latinx Community; Rompiendo barreras: Empoderando a la comunidad hispana y latina. This initiative, crafted by the DEI office within the School of Social Work, comprises a series of workshops designed to equip future social workers with the knowledge and skills needed to address the challenges faced by our community. From unraveling pervasive stigmas to fostering empathetic understanding, we're committed to creating success stories and advocating for equity and social justice. Project Title: Luz- Light after Darkness; Luz Despues de la Oscuridad. Delving into the often-overlooked challenges faced by system-impacted individuals within the Latinx community, this project sheds light on barriers hindering personal and professional growth. Through storytelling, workshops, and awareness campaigns, we aim to dismantle stigmas and empower individuals to become success stories within their community. #PuentesEvent #Empowerment #LatinxCommunity #FamilismoAward #Inclusion #SocialJustice

The list of causes and observances to be celebrated in February may surprise you. In addition to Valentine's Day, which is celebrated on February 14th, there are several other causes and observances that are celebrated in February. Some of them include: 1. Black History Month: February is dedicated to celebrating the achievements, contributions, and history of African Americans. It is an opportunity to honor the rich cultural heritage and the significant role that African Americans have played in shaping history. 2. American Heart Month: February is designated as American Heart Month to raise awareness about cardiovascular health and promote heart disease prevention. It aims to educate people about the importance of a healthy lifestyle, including regular exercise, a balanced diet, and routine check-ups. 3. World Cancer Day: Observed on February 4th, World Cancer Day aims to raise awareness about cancer, promote early detection, and work towards reducing the global impact of this disease. It encourages individuals, organizations, and governments to take action in the fight against cancer. 4. International Day of Women and Girls in Science: Celebrated on February 11th, this day aims to promote gender equality in the field of science and encourage more women and girls to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). 5. World Wildlife Day: Observed on February 3rd, World Wildlife Day raises awareness about the importance of wildlife conservation and the need to protect endangered species. It highlights the value of biodiversity and the role of wildlife in maintaining ecological balance. 6. Random Acts of Kindness Day: Celebrated on February 17th, this day encourages people to perform random acts of kindness to make a positive impact on others' lives. It promotes compassion, empathy, and generosity towards others. These are just a few examples of the causes and observances celebrated in February. Each of these occasions provides an opportunity to raise awareness, promote positive actions, and celebrate the diverse aspects of our society and the world we live in.

🌈 For Pride month, Axios let me write about queer animals! Zoom in: The majority of dolphin sex is between males. Female with female sex is the most common form of sexual intimacy among bonobos. And, in our terms, many penguins could be considered bisexual and sexually non-monogamous. The big picture: The number of species with confirmed substantial queer behavior has been recorded in more than 1,500 animal species in well-regarded scientific journals, according to Nature. Why it matters: Looking at animals strictly through a heteronormative lens has long limited scientific understanding and contributed to the othering of members of the LGBTQ+ community, per science experts. Read more, including insight from science journalists Eliot Schrefer and Rachel E. Gross: https://lnkd.in/gZBPj6r3

Dive into the latest issue of Insight Into Diversity and uncover the facts, myths, and implications of Brown v. Board of Education as we commemorate 70 years of this landmark legislation! This issue also examines diversity efforts in #medical, #dental, and #veterinary schools, and rural health initiatives that are improving care across the country. #equity #education #healthcare #BrownVBoardofEducation https://lnkd.in/gvaR38Pd

One point of reference which one cannot take pride in is that just 25% of bio’s on wiki are female represented and out of this figure only 5% have pictures which is alarming. As a matter of fact, this is beyond numbers but also a missed chance to celebrate the remarkable women who, against all odds, have contributed massively to the society. For example , imagine if the great works of Mary Anning, the 19th-century paleontologist who uncovered fossils, contribute to our understanding of Earth’s history were not recorded. One would have lost a touch of this important history moment. However, It is important to underscore that some female led organizations are joining professional forces and resources to help bridge the gap — one of which was a recent collaboration between Women for Sustainability Africa ( keen with bridging the sustainability gender gap by employing different approach like education and digital adaptation especially in wiki) and Wiki Women in Red ( focused on fixing the gender bias in Wikipedia contents ) to train more women who can contribute to more data , edits and solid information in gender disproportional areas. Read full article here : https://lnkd.in/ev5FPEdC #QueenMurja #Thoughts #LinkedIninsights

How can faith influence a better and fairer food system? Our latest (and last!) MEAT piece is an interview with the incredible pastor & organized Aline S. on how her plant-based diet is informed by both theology & intersectionality. Read it now! ⬇️

Wow, what a week! 🤯 We kicked off the week with #Mentalhealthawarenessweek and we have concluded with #IDAHOBIT, which should have meant a fun week... Days that are dedicated to diversity, acceptance and equality more often than not become overshadowed by the overwhelming hate that continues to plague our society. Yesterday a renowned NFL Kicker gave a commencement speech at a Kansas state university that is being labelled controversial at least, but is simply a hate speech, displaying blatant and clear disgust with queer people, women, liberal individuals. It seems impossible to escape this rhetoric, which continues to make days like #IDAHOBIT imperative. People with online and public presence should not be encouraged to make these comments to a global audience. We should be using these platforms to promote positivity, inclusion and support for these already marginalised and targeted groups. To round off, this is why support for mental health needs to be a bigger focus than ever. For so many people the world continues to be a dangerous and hostile place to live. Look out for those you live and be on the right side of history. Watch the speech at your own risk, but if you want to watch something much more joyful, this is Robert Irwin, son of Steve Irwin talking with his Mum and sister about how important it is that we support women and men step up and start prioritising women's health, after all women's issues are trans issues! 👇🏼 https://lnkd.in/ek89C6aC #transawareness #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealth #womenshealth #transhealthcare