Advancing Equity in an Anti-DEI Climate

About this event

The backlash against "DEI" has been building for several years, but it has reached a new level recently. So how do organizations that are committed to equity and justice - both internally and in their community - continue to pursue this work? How do organizations balance their values with risk? During this session, we will review some of the limitations being placed on equity work by the Federal Administration, what it means for our organizations, and we'll share concrete strategies and frameworks to help organizations navigate these challenging times.

Learning Outcomes:

In this workshop, participants wiill have the opportunity to:

• • Review the latest anti-DEI "guidance" coming out of the federal administration
  • Assess their level of risk in moving forward with equity work
  • Learn models and frameworks for continuing to pursue equity - internally and in their work with the people and communities they serve - during this anti-DEI climate
  • Understand how adapting to the current climate can actually make equity efforts more effective and impactful
  • Practice applying several frameworks with their organization
  • Have an opportunity for Q&A and dialogue not only with the facilitation team, but also with their peers

Immediately following the formal workshop, we will allow time for informal, candid discussion and problem solving with the facilitator.

Who Should Attend:

Organizational leaders, especially those in nonprofits, government agencies, PreK-12 schools, colleges & universities, etc.; "DEI" oriented staff leaders (e.g., DEI Directors, Coordinators, Managers); Board members; Staff at any level who care about equity and justice in their organization

Faculty

Jarrod Schwartz

Jarrod Schwartz is the Founder and Principal Consultant of Equity Praxis Group, LLC. Jarrod is an educator and consultant with more than 30 years of experience working with schools, universities & colleges, nonprofit organizations, businesses, government, and communities. 

Jarrod’s unique approach draws upon the fields of social justice and organization development to foster inclusive, multi-stakeholder processes that result in organizational, community, and social change. 

Before starting EPG, Jarrod served for almost 20 years as the founding Executive Director of Just Communities - a nonprofit organization dedicated to making the Central Coast of California a more inclusive and just region.

From the early to late 1990’s, as the Program Director for The National Conference for Community and Justice (NCCJ), Jarrod developed and led a comprehensive, multi-issue social justice leadership institute for youth that became a national model. He also led an initiative to dismantle racism in the St. Louis Region. In 2001, Jarrod was invited to California to launch a new NCCJ office to serve the communities of the Central Coast. In 2007, this organization became Just Communities.