Tag: Governor’s Office

Celebrating Black History Month

“THE UNIQUE PERSPECTIVES OF STATE
GOVERNMENT DEI PRACTITIONERS OF THE
AFRICAN DIASPORA.”

Panelists pictured left to right: Kenny Lowe, Oregon State Police; Chelsea Bunch, Oregon Housing & Community Services; Naima Chambers, Department of Corrections; Ezell Watson, Public Utilities Commission; Dion Jordan, Oregon Department of Human Services; Bryant Campbell, Business Oregon; and Jamal Fox, Oregon Board of Pharmacy. Not Pictured: Leann Johnson, Oregon Health Authority

The Black History Month facilitated panel discussion, held the end of February, focused on the experiences of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) practitioners in state government. Key topics included motivations for entering the field, challenges faced, advice for newcomers, the impact of identity on their work, and areas lacking support.

The tone was set by emphasizing the importance of truly listening, embracing discomfort, and valuing the knowledge and experiences of Black individuals. The event drew significant interest, with attendees including government officials and a full registration within 24 hours. Since the event, there has been positive feedback and requests for similar discussions in the future, indicating a significant impact.

If you would like to watch the event, it was recorded and now available online. The Unique Perspectives of State Government DEI Practitioners of the African Diaspora | Panel Event (youtube.com)