The People's Gathering: A Revolution of Consciousness

CONFERENCE OVERVIEW:How people talk (or don’t talk) about race in the workplace AND school environments is a strong indicator on whether an organization is healthy and has an inclusive culture.  Intentionally preparing company leaders, managers, employees and students to have these hard and sometimes difficult conversations is a strategic action towards improved communication and sense of belonging, reduced risks and productive environments. THE PEOPLE’S GATHERING is a professional/personal development learning experience and networking opportunity designed to move the (often dreaded) “Race Conversation” forward.  The conference seeks to create a supportive space in which participants can engage in honest and open dialogue about race and racial disparities that are systemically present in work, school and everyday life. They will become more aware of how race shows up as structural barriers to realizing a diverse and inclusive environment and learn ways to navigate the sensitivity of it all by deepening personal understanding of the issues.  TPG will also provide a unique and fun opportunity for participants to expand their professional and personal networks across cultures. CONFERENCE OBJECTIVE(S): This conference is designed to provide you with the knowledge, skills and tools necessary to:  • Assess your current level of cultural competence (what knowledge, skills, and   resources can you build on? Where are the gaps?)  • Increase your awareness and understanding of the depth and breadth of    Institutional racism and its effect on organizational diversity and inclusion goals.  • Engage in effective community, school and workplace dialogues on race.  • Improve interpersonal saavy.  • Build networks across culture, community and industry. CONFERENCE TOPICS: Implicit & Explicit Bias           Cultural Awareness, Literacy & Competency Microagressions                     Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Stereotype Threat                   Power, Privilege & Oppression Institutional Racism               Race Dialogues & Knowledge Communities FEATURED SPEAKERS DR. RANDAL PINKET  --  Randal Pinkett, Ph.D., an entrepreneur, author and scholar, is founder and CEO of BCT Partners, a multimillion-dollar consulting and research information technology firm headquartered in Newark, NJ. His book, _Black Faces in White Places: 10 Game-Changing Strategies to Achieve Success and Find Greatness_, was named one of “The Best Books of 2010.”  Dr. Pinkett holds a B.S. in electrical engineering from Rutgers University; a M.S. in computer science from the University of Oxford; and a M.S., MBA and Ph.D. in electrical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.  He is a former captain of his collegiate track and field team, and was the winner of NBC’s hit reality television show “The Apprentice.” RANDALPINKETT.COM _________________________________________________________________________________________ DR. ROBIN DIANGELO  ---  Robin DiAngelo, Ph.D., is director of Equity for Sound Generations, Seattle/King County, and a consultant and trainer for over 20 years on issues of racial and social justice. Growing up poor led her to explore class oppression and how her experience differed from others in poverty because she is white. Her work on “white fragility,” a defensive response to real conversations about race, has been featured in Salon, NPR, Slate, Alternet and The Seattle Times. Dr. DiAngelo earned her PhD in Multicultural Education from the University of Washington in Seattle and earned tenure at Westfield State University before returning to the Northwest. She was twice honored by her university students as educator of the year. ROBINDIANGELO.COM __________________________________________________________________________________________ DR. EDDAH MBULA MUTUA  ---  Eddah Mbula Mutua, Ph.D. is a Professor of Intercultural Communication at St. Cloud State University, Minnesota. She teaches in the area of intercultural communication. Her research focuses on peace communication in post-conflict societies in Eastern Africa with a special interest in the role of women in post-genocide Rwanda and grassroots peacebuilding initiatives in Kenya. In the U.S., her areas of research include East African refugee and host communities’ interactions in Central Minnesota, Africans and African-Americans relations, and critical service-learning as a pedagogical practice in peace education. __________________________________________________________________________________________ DR. BETH KRAIG  ---  Beth Kraig, Ph.D.  strongest interests center on the history of discrimination and oppression (and resistance to those forces) in the United States, and especially in the 20th century. Her research into the subject include examinations of anti-gay ballot measures in the 1970s, racism in the military in World War II, and feminist voices in popular literature in the post-WWII decades. She is actively involved in interdisciplinary programs and fields of study, including Women’s Studies and Peace Studies, and has participated in research and projects that center on the importance of historical thinking in interdisciplinary contexts. Dr. Kraig is a professor of History at Pacific Lutheran University. __________________________________________________________________________________________ JOHN SCOTT  ---  John Scott, MA, Ph.D.(c)   is an artist, educator, counselor, writer, facilitator, consultant, who has been providing support to organizations and individuals for over 15 years.  His areas of expertise are in issues of cultural competency, community leadership development, social justice, non-violent communication, and community building processes.  Through his socially conscious interactions with audiences, John provides practical tools participants can use in making positive, sustainable changes in their lives, communities, and organizations. John has a Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology with a concentration in Drama Therapy.  He is currently finishing his PhD work at CIIS in San Francisco focusing on social justice, ecology, and indigenous studies.   __________________________________________________________________________________________ JEWEL DIAMOND TAYLOR  ---  Jewel Diamond Taylor is a dynamic speaker, messenger of hope and life coach.  She is known as "the self-esteem doctor.” In the late 1980s, Taylor was one of the first women of color to become a national and international motivational speaker. She has made presentations at the Pentagon and in prisons, for corporate America and on college campuses, and for community groups and on military bases. Taylor is author of seven books, an ordained elder in her church, founder of Women on the Grow Ministry and frequent radio guest. Donotgiveup.net __________________________________________________________________________________________                                                               PROFESSIONAL SCHEDULE __________________________________________________________________________________________ 7:00a Registration Opens - Continental Breakfast LOCATION:  University Center Regency Room __________________________________________________________________________________________ 8:00a - 8:30a OPENING - WELCOME Emcee:  Jewel Diamond Taylor __________________________________________________________________________________________ 8:30a - 9:30a SESSION 1 - PRESENTATION COMING TO GRIPS WITH RACISM & HISTORY Most of us don’t learn much about the history of racism in formal settings. This is a major problem, if our goal is to reduce racism in our own lifetimes. What kinds of questions must we ask about the past to inform our actions today? We’ll take a tour through the 400 years of racism in the U.S. to frame some key ways to rethink our current relationship to the legacies of that long history. Nothing to memorize, no quizzes, just some challenging ways to face the past with honesty and courage! Presenter: Dr. Beth Kraig, Professor of History at PLU LOCATION:  University Center Regency Room __________________________________________________________________________________________ 9:30a - 9:45a BREAK __________________________________________________________________________________________ 9:45a - 10:45a SESSION 2 - PRESENTATION MOVING THE RACE CONVERSATION FORWARD Participants will learn and practice two concepts - Open Space Technology and Strategic Questioning as tools to use for engaging in hard conversations.  Presenter(s): Dr. Amanda Feller, Associate Professor of Communication at PLU                                     Melannie Denise Cunningham, Director of Multicultural Outreach & Engagement at PLU LOCATION:  University Center Regency Room __________________________________________________________________________________________ 10:45a - 11:00a BREAK __________________________________________________________________________________________ 11:00A - NOON SESSION 3 - DIALOGUE RACE DIALOGUE & KNOWLEDGE COMMUNITIES This is dedicated time for dialogue around core issues and concerns that exist within specific race based groups. The discussion is led by an educator/facilitator who will help participants peel away the layers of “stuff” and sometimes “messiness” that rises up out of these hard conversations and offer insight to name what “is” and ideas for individual and collective action DIALOGUE FACILITATORS: Mixed Race:  Dr. Eddah Mutau                       LOCATION:  University Center Room 201 PEOPLE OF COLOR: John Scott, MA, PhD(c)        LOCATION:  University Center 133 White: Dr. Robin DiAngelo                               LOCATION:   University Center Regency Room __________________________________________________________________________________________ NOON - 1:30p SESSION 4 - LUNCH & PRESENTATION A REVOLUTION OF CONSCIOUSNESS: REDEFINE THE GAME! Dr. Randal Pinkett Successful entrepreneur, speaker, author, scholar and all around great person - Dr. Pinkett will bring straight talk and strategies to help us move forward beyond the divisive and hateful rhetoric we have endured as a community these past several months and walk into our destiny of greatness. GET READY TO BE MOTIVATED AND INSPIRED! Emcee:  Jewel Diamond Taylor LOCATION:  University Center - Chris Knutzen Hall __________________________________________________________________________________________ 1:30p - 1:45p BREAK __________________________________________________________________________________________ 1:45p - 2:45p SESSION 5 - DIALOGUE RACE DIALOGUE & KNOWLEDGE COMMUNITIES Continue the work. What is the VISION FOR CHANGE? What individual work must be done? What will we do with others in our classrooms, workplaces and communities to make a difference?   Dialogue Facilitators: Mixed Race: Dr. Eddah Mutau                                      LOCATION:  University Center Room 201 PEOPLE OF COLOR: John Scott, MA, PhD (c)                     LOCATION:  University Center 133 White: Dr. Robin DiAngelo                                             LOCATION:   University Center Regency Room __________________________________________________________________________________________ 2:45p - 3:00p BREAK __________________________________________________________________________________________ 3:00p - 4:00p SESSION 6 - COLLECTIVE DIALOGUE BRING IT ON IN! A time to listen, reflect and commit. We will hear from each of the dialogue groups on their major take away(s) from the days discussion and we will identify common themes and opportunities for collective action  in classrooms, workspaces, and communities. Presenter(s):  Dr. Eddah Mutau, John Scott, MA, PhD (c), Dr. Robin DiAngelo, Dr. Amanda Feller LOCATION:   SCANDINAVIAN CULTURAL CENTER __________________________________________________________________________________________ 4:00p - 4:30p Wrap up Emcee:  Jewel Diamond Taylor LOCATION:   SCANDINAVIAN CULTURAL CENTER __________________________________________________________________________________________ 4:30p - 5:30p CULTURAL NETWORKING SOCIAL -(OPTIONAL)  This is a dedicated time to "process" the learning of the day, make new friends and create your own knowledge community! HORS D’OEUVRES PROVIDED.  BEER & WINE FOR PURCHASE.  LOCATION:   Regency Room CONTINUING EDUCATION UNITS AND CLOCK HOURS AVAILABLE __________________________________________________________________________________________                                                                 CANCELLATION POLICY  __________________________________________________________________________________________ Genesis Housing and Community Development Coalition  issues no refunds UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES. Any and all payments made to Genesis Housing and Community Development Coalition for The People's Gathering are not refundable for any reason, including, but not limited to, illness, acts of God, travel-related problems, acts of terrorism, loss of employment and/or duplicate purchases. If you cancel your registration more than 6 weeks prior to the conference, you may transfer your registration. TRANSFER POLICY You may transfer your conference registration to another individual for the same event you are registered for by notifying us in writing at least 1 week prior to the event at peoplesgathering2017@gmail.com. FORCE MAJEURE If events beyond the reasonable control of the parties, including, but not limited to, acts of God, war in the United States, strikes, terrorist attacks in the city where the event is being held, or curtailment of transportation either in the event city or in the countries/states of origin of the attendees, which prevents at least 40% of the attendees from arriving for the event, so that it is impracticable, illegal, or impossible to hold the conference, The People's Gathering may cancel the event and offer attendees a credit for a future conference in the amount of the paid registration fee. FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Melannie Denise Cunningham melannie@missmelannie.com 253 682-9264