From the Executive Director

 

NCBI continues to grow and flourish in so many ways. The Board of Directors of NCBI engaged in an active strategic planning process over the past two years and as a result,

we redesigned our governance structure and voted in a new Board of Directors in order to encourage more sustained work by leaders from NCBI at all levels.

 

I am happy to announce the new officers of the Board:

President:  Phyllis Alexander- Allentown, PA

Vice President: Stephanie Low – White Plains, NY

Secretary:  Ira Baumgarten – Averill Park, NY in year one and Andi Geu – Bern, Switzerland in year two

Treasurer:  Deborah Terry Hays – Seattle, WA in year one and Idella Glen – Greenville, SC in year two

 

I am eager to work with this awesome new leadership team to help steer the direction of NCBI.

 

This past year, NCBI partnered with a number of environmental organizations.   We are working with The National Wildlife Federation (NWF) and Greenpeace to assist the environmental movement to increase its commitment to diversity and inclusion.  We are particularly excited to be working with NWF to develop an Emerging Leaders Engagement Initiative that will train a next generation of environmental leaders in all of the principles and practices of inclusion and diversity in order to strengthen the diversity of the environmental movement.

 

The 2011 NCBI campus conference was hosted at Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, South Carolina. The theme of this past year's conference was “Leading the Way for Transformation! Reclaiming Our Courage and Compassion .”  We had very powerful classes on “Violence and Its Impact: Navigating the Slippery Slope” Presented by Robert Dungey; ‘Identifying and Addressing Bullying on College and University Campuses” presented by Dr. Renay Scales; “NCBI Teams Tackling Issues of Classism/Hierarchies on Campus” presented by Cherie Brown; and “Racial Dominance” presented by Joyce Shabazz.

 

We are currently working on a partnership between the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), NCBI, and the association of chiefs of police in Pennsylvania to bring the NCBI law enforcement-- citizen trust building project to as many communities as possible in Pennsylvania.

We continue to launch train the trainer programs in school districts in order to train young people to take the lead in their schools on diversity and inclusion work.  Our NCBI work in Antioch, California continues to be a model for helping a school district institutionalizes principles and practices of diversity by training students, teachers, and administrators through train the trainer programs to lead NCBI workshops throughout the school.

Whenever I visit an NCBI chapter, campus affiliate, or organization affiliate and witness first hand the work taking place, I am so deeply moved by the dedication and commitment to NCBI work that all of our leaders, staff, and volunteer activists continue to have.  NCBI is providing a powerful resource for our communities and campuses.

 

Cherie Brown

 

I am Honored to Become President of the NCBI International Board

Phyllis Alexander, President, NCBI Board of Directors

 

I have been a member of NCBI since 1989. I first became aware of NCBI from a New York Times publication on organizations making a difference. NCBI was listed as on organization dedicated to eliminating all forms of oppression including racism, sexism, anti-Semitism, heterosexism, adultism and classism. I thought, “Really?” there is such an organization? I called, and learned about the 5 day train the trainer occurring in August 1989. I was so excited about learning these skills that I sent out an invitation to several colleagues. Four of us traveled from Allentown, Pa and attended the training at that time held in Boston. Racism, I knew about. Internalized racism, I had heard about. During the train the trainer, however, I significantly increased my understanding about the impact of racism. What a difference it makes to slow down, put my fist down (for a moment), and examine the wounds caused by racism. When you know you’re hurt, healing can begin. Shortly thereafter I joined the newly formed Black African Heritage Caucus and I have been on an exciting, loving, remarkable journey of reclamation ever since. I am a senior trainer and enjoy the “work” of inviting people to learn and practice being in authentic relationship with self and others – outside the impact of oppression. I tell people this is not “hard” work it’s “heart” work. In addition to occasionally facilitating workshops, I am or have been a Chapter Director, Mid-Atlantic Region Director, Black African Heritage Prominent Leader, member of the Women’s Caucus senior team – and I am now the president of the board – what an honor! The board is comprised of strategic activists committed to NCBI and its mission to eliminate all forms of oppression. We collectively use our voice, mind and heart to direct and shape this premier international anti-oppression organization. I look forward to a productive and exciting term of office. 

 

 

NCBI Principles Apply Everywhere!

Submitted by Dr. Renay Scales, NCBI Regional Campus Director 

 

Recently, I have had a great deal of opportunity to design faculty development for doctors and scientists at medical schools.  While I have known for sometime that the skills and principles of NCBI have become part and of my daily life, a toolkit as we say, I have had opportunities to apply them in additional ways to my use in the past. 

 

Examining the literature on stress disorders for medical students has created a significant area of new knowledge for me.  Better understanding the significant stressors for these students has paved the way for work with the M.D.s, D.Os and basic scientists who prepare students in their four years of training before residencies begin.  Below are a couple of ways that stereotypes are amplified in assessments in student readiness, matriculation, and conduct. 

 

Case 1 – “Park your Ouch” 

Medical students don’t disclose challenges with mood disorders because of the stigma attached.  They get relegated to a status, according to the data, of “weak” learners. Using the principle of parking ouches for the faculty has enabled them to share their struggles with students in a way that provides an opening for students to also share about similar challenges. This is not a rocket science application, but we often make assumptions ourselves. For example, we might think that issues of mental health would be openly received and understood in a medical environment. 

 

Case 2 – “Responding to oppressive behaviors without blaming or shaming the perpetrator.” 

Issues of gender transitions are taught in medical school classrooms to address the physiology of the changes. Little is discussed relative to the psychosocial impact of living with and through the trans-oppression.  The oppression shows up, and one coping mechanism is the comic’s approach: beat ‘em to the punch line by participation in the jokes.  Modeling the principle can be even more powerful than teaching the principles with a group of medical “experts.” What? Transgendered identity is being discussed during Women’s Health Colloquium—physical and psychosocial impact? Go NCBI.  Good job!

 

More about the NCBI Campus Program here

 

 

Workshop Yields Aha Moments

Submitted by Steve Jarose, Director NCBI Rochester

 

On a wintry Saturday in February, 20 diversity advocates and assistant principals in the Rochester NY School District’s Leadership and Empowerment for Aspiring Principals (LEAP) Program met for a day of skill-building. Facilitated by Navie James and Steve Jarose of the Upstate (Rochester) New York NCBI Chapter, participants were challenged and stretched by the question “What does it mean to be truly inclusive?”

 

Much attention centered on disparities in perception of employees and students in the Rochester City School District and those of the more affluent suburbs. Issues of race, class and gender brought about lively discussions throughout the day. 

 

Workshop evaluations reported significant grown in awareness of the importance of valuing diversity in all interactions at school and in the larger community. A sampling of comments below illustrate this point, and we look forward to more collaboration with City Schools in the coming year.

 

“I believe I learned more about myself in regards to others, especially because there hasn’t been a forum for such dialogue to date.” Assistant Principal

 

“I tend to avoid uncomfortable interactions and neglect to give respect and attention to the person who upset me. Now, I don’t need a ‘fight or flight’ response, but simply to discuss openly and caringly.” Intervention Teacher

 

“This should be a two day training because you need to sleep on all the information, reflect and come back to learn and put what you’ve learned into practice.” Data Clerk 

 

Pictured above: Navie James and Steve Jarose, Senior Leaders from NCBI Rochester

 

More about NCBI Roschester here

 

 

University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa NCBI Campus Affiliate

College Opportunities Program

Submitted by Lori Ideta, NCBI Hawaii Regional Director

 

The College Opportunities Program (COP) of the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa is a statewide entry-level freshman program that provides a summer and first-year residential college experience for individuals who are Hawaiʻi residents who may not meet the minimum requirements for admission to the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa (UHM), are academically under prepared, economically disadvantaged, represent a positive role model to communities underrepresented at the UHM, are non-traditional, or in need of a structured college entry.

 

Every year, the UHM Campus Affiliate of NCBI presents a “Celebrating and Contemplating Diversity” workshop for the COP students. This year, nearly 150 attendees made the day energetic and truly memorable. In addition to learning more about one another, the COP students bonded during the workshop, forming relationships that will last throughout their college careers.

 

The workshop was led by Lisa Kitagawa-Akagi, Coordinator of Student Academic Services, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources; Alberta Pukahi, Sergeant and Investigator, Campus Security; and Rouel Velasco, Office Manager of the Associated Students of the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. The day permitted the students to get to know UHM staff outside of their formal roles and responsibilities and thus, introduced them to resource and support for the tenure of their college experience.

 

Pictured above: U of Hawaii Workshop student participants. 

 

News from NCBI Affiliates Around the World 

 

University of Georgia - NCBI Campus Affiliate

Athens, Georgia USA

 

“At the University of Georgia, a primary goal for our team in this academic year has been to increase awareness about our presence on campus. Our team has worked very hard to increase the number of workshops for our campus community. The response that we have received has been very good overall.  We’re pleased about the progress and impact we’ve made in our second full year of operation.” 

Talmadge C Guy, Co-Campus Director

 

The UGA campus newspaper recently featured a column on the work of UGA's NCBI Campus team - Full story here

 

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NCBI Monterey County

Pacific Grove, California USA

 

 

NCBI Monterey County members, family and friends march in the annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade in Seaside, CA.

 

NCBI Monterey County on Facebook here

 

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NCBI Missoula Chapter

Missoula, Montana USA

 

 

Tyler Tschida, 19-year-old University of Montana freshman and 16-year-old Ekoo Iko'tsimiskimaki Beck, a senior at Hellgate High School, both youth leaders from NCBI Missoula were invited to attend the launch of Lady’s Gaga’s new foundation, Born this Way.  Only 100 students from across the country were invited to the Feb. 29 event on the Harvard University campus.  "It's exciting that little Missoula, Montana, is being recognized and noticed for their youth leadership and commitment to anti-bullying work," said Heidi Wallace, Director of youth programs for NCBI Missoula.

Prior to attending the Born this Way launch, both youth leaders also attended a day of trainings at Harvard on Youth Cruelty and Meanness.

 

Read full article here

 

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Bunker Hill Community College - NCBI Campus Affiliate

Boston, Massachusetts USA

 

Above: NCBI team from Bunker Hill Community College, From left to right, Ninette White-Marzouki, Sandra Gaeta, Aurora Bautista, Vilma Tafawa, Louise Vrande, Margaret Bovill-Hawkins, Molly Ambrose, Robin Preston and Beverly Lewis.

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University of Iowa - NCBI Campus Affiliate

Iowa City, Iowa USA

 

On February 25, the UI NCBI Affiliate was asked by the UI Center for Student Involvement and Leadership to provide a one-day workshop for the annual “MY IOWA: International and Multicultural Student Summit”. An amazing group of undergraduate and graduate students joined us for a fun and impactful day, and we’re so grateful we could share in the experience, making so many new friends in the process! 

 

Lindsay Jarratt, Diversity Resources Coordinator, NCBI Affiliate team member,The University of Iowa

 

 

Above: NCBI team members teaching NCBI Skills at the 'My Iowa' workshop. 

NCBI law Enforcement Program Presentation for the Philadelphia Police Department

Submitted by Guillermo Lopez, NCBI Law Enforcement Program Co-Director

 

Guillermo Lopez, Lead Trainer, Judge David Howells Jr, Assistant, a support team  consisting of NCBI Philadelphia Chapter Director Lisa Santer,  NCBI Philadelphia Chapter Member Ted Enoch, and Norristown COPS in Community Coordinator Sue Soriano presented a program introducing NCBI training for police to the Philadelphia Police Department Academy. The Philadelphia Police Department is the 4th largest police department in the U.S. The program was presented in partnership with the National Liberty Museum.  The participants consisted of 80 police academy recruits and 16 of the Philadelphia Police Department Leadership team. 

 

 

Guillermo Lopez discusses the NCBI Law Enforcement program with officers and recruits.

 

More about the NCBI Law Enforcement Program here

 

 

Random acts of kindness and senseless beauty - Celebrating International Women's Day

Submitted by Liz Neat, NCBI Chapter Director Lancashire, UK

 

English and Polish volunteers from NCBI Lancashire took to the streets of Morecambe on International Women’s Day (March 8th) to honour the Polish tradition, Flower of Ewa.

 

On International Women’s Day in Poland it is traditional for men to appreciate the women in their families, workplace and neighborhood with flowers.

 

Carnations with the story of the Flower of Ewa attached by a ribbon were handed out to women on the street and in our local shop. Polish women knew immediately what was happening and in the local hairdresser the flowers were greeted with squeals of delight and pleasure; the English women were a little more suspicious, but suspicious faces soon were wreathed in smiles.

 

 

Liz Neat Director of NCBI in Lancashire said,

“This was such a small thing to do but it had a big effect. Honouring women and also bridge building between the two communities, where suspicion and mistrust is growing. My highlight was an “English” woman nearly bursting into tears and saying, I remember this – my Dad was Polish and you have helped me to remember him – thank you!!” 

 

More about NCBI Lancashire here