Speakers
Call for speakers for the 2021 DEI Talk Conference is closed.
Check out the confirmed speakers below!
Speaker Information
Steve Kosmas
Steve has worked as a science/ELL instructor for over 25 years. Steve is currently a member of the Science Department at Mercy High School.
Session Title: Expanding the STEM Powerhouse
Description: Methods to increase student enrollment in challenging STEM classes. This session will focus on getting more students into AP Biology, AP Chemistry, AP Physics, and AP Calculus.
The opportunity gap versus encouragement gap will be discussed.
E. Prasad Venugopal
Prasad Venugopal is an Associate Professor of Physics and Affiliate Faculty in African American Studies (AAS) at the University of Detroit Mercy.
Session Title: A Challenge Not to Be Ignored: Integrating Race, Gender, and Indigenous Knowledge in Science Curricula
Session Description: Integrating social issues into science curricula has the potential to “change the culture of science to be more welcoming and inclusive” by broadening the cultural contexts in which scientific knowledge is created and science is practiced, thus helping to remedy the lack of diversity and representation in what we teach our students. In this presentation, I will share case studies from a course on Science, Technology, and Race that I developed and teach at Detroit Mercy as part of our core curriculum. I will also present examples of multi-week projects integrating race, gender, and colonialism in my introductory physics class.
Mirabeth Braude and Jess Pasionek
Mirabeth Braude currently works as a Talent Development Specialist at Open Society Foundations in New York City.
Jess Pasionek is a seasoned educator, administrator and consultant.
Session Title: Courageous Conversations: Embracing Vulnerability to Create Change
Session Description: Built from the wisdom offered in Glenn Singleton's book, Courageous Conversations, this session has been designed to support educators in engaging in courageous conversations with colleagues, specifically around issues related to race and equity. This two-hour session will provide an opportunity for participants to learn about, explore and reflect on Singleton's framework. Participants will also have time within this session to apply and practice this framework in real-life situations. If you are interested in gaining the tools to shift uncomfortable and challenging conversations to courageous ones that lead to meaningful, sustainable change within your school community, then this is the session for you.
Holly Markiecki-Bennetts and Trish Brown
Holly Markiecki-Bennetts is a Licensed Professional and School Counselor at Mercy High School.
Trish Brown is the 9th Grade Counselor and Counseling Department Chairperson at Mercy High School.
Session Title: Inclusion: From Personal to Professional - The Continued Journey of Two Educators
Session Description: Trish Brown, LPC, SCL, and Holly Markiecki-Bennetts, LPC, SCL will share their personal development as equity allies, striving to become equity and inclusion accomplices. This personal work has informed their current professional work to create an equity-centered and inclusive School Counseling Department at Mercy High School. This work includes using the American School Counselor Association text: Culturally Sustaining School Counseling: Implementing Diverse, Equitable, Inclusive Programs as a way to frame their action. In this session, Trish and Holly hope to share their journey, the resources they’ve, used and their current action items. There will also be time for participants to share their best practices so that together we can create school programs that honor the dignity of each person in our school spaces.
Jess Pasionek
Jess Pasionek is a seasoned educator, administrator and consultant.
Session Title: Apologizing When Racial Harm Happens
Session Description: This two-hour session has been designed to support educators in considering how to apologize when racial harm happens in a way that does not further the harm already caused. Participants will have the opportunity to learn about, explore and reflect on a framework about how to apologize as well as learn about some elements that are pivotal to avoid. There will also be time within the session to apply and practice this framework in real-life situations. If you would like to experience a brave, supportive space to learn, reflect and apply learning so that you feel prepared to bring this important, aspiring anti-racist habit into your daily life and back to your school community, then this is the session for you.
Humphrey Atiemo, M.D.
Dr. Atiemo is a board-certified urologist at Henry Ford Hospital.
Session Title: Addressing the lack of Minorities in Higher Education
Session Description: In this presentation, we will explore the deficit of minorities in higher education, particularly in the medical profession. We will take a look at potential pitfalls and the role that educational mentors and teachers can make in each student's journey.
LaShonda S. Allen and Nicky Paradela
LaShonda Allen is an author, film writer, and the Associate Creative Director of Commonwealth Detroit.
Nicky Paradela is an Associate Creative Director at Commonwealth//McCann, the global advertising agency for Chevrolet.
Session Title: As a Matter of Fact: Systemic Racism Does Exist.
Session Description: Systemic racism is woven into the fabric of American life. With a global pandemic and the consequences of slavery, racial disparities are coming home to roost and are now at the very center of our national narrative. Systemic Racism does exist. It's not a matter of opinion. It's Black and white.
Jessica Daigler
Jessica Daigler is a skilled facilitator focusing on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
Session Title: From Ally to Accomplice and Beyond
Session Description: This session provides the opportunity to examine the roles of actors, allies, accomplices, and co-conspirators in creating more inclusive and equitable spaces. We’ll talk about what they are, what they do and don’t do, where we have opportunities to act, and how to be most effective.
Steven Patton
After spending 13 years shaping religious organizations and non-profits with leadership and equity professional development, Steve now functions as a Regional Director at Equal Opportunity Schools.
Session Title: Operationalizing Equity
Session Description: This session will show how different tools can help schools operationalize equity and close the gaps in access for students of color and low-income students.
Conversations on Race
Rev. Dr. Louis Forsythe
Rev. Dr. Patricia Coleman-Burns
Dr. Irene Lietz
Mr. Steven Arnold
Mr. Steven Arnold, an MSU grad and supporter of public education, worked in the Transportation Industry for 38 years and, as Logistic Manager, supervised a workforce of 120 drivers.
Rev. Dr. Patricia Coleman-Burns, Pastor of First African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church, Farmington Hills, is also Assistant Professor Emerita at University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, in nursing and Black Studies.
Rev. Dr. Louis Forsythe, is Senior Pastor of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church in Detroit, Michigan, and co-facilitates Conversations on Race.
Dr. Irene Lietz, Professor Emerita in English, Carlow University, Pittsburgh, PA, writes about race talk and co-facilitates Conversations on Race.
Session Title: Conversations on Race
Session Description: An interracial, interdenominational panel of five members of the local antiracist community group Conversations on Race will explore personal and institutional experiences with talking about race across lines of difference, including applications to education. The hybrid zoom/in-person session will engage participants in small-group conversations about their own experiences, fears, and strengths, and then practice awareness of the Other, risk-taking in conversation, and ways to use the authentic self to overcome complacency and dismantle anti-Blackness, and personal and institutional racism.
Marta Rhea-Johnson
Marta Rhea-Johnson is the first Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at De La Salle Collegiate High School in Warren, MI. She is an experienced educator and administrator.
Session Title: My DEIB Journey: Using Obstacles to Enhance and Promote Growth
Session Description: Marta Rhea-Johnson is the first Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at De La Salle Collegiate. The creation of this position is both monumental and historical; it impacts the school culture and climate in many different ways. The past three years have been a journey of self-discovery, as well as personal and professional growth. For this conference “Moving From Talk To Sustainable Action”, Marta would like to share her journey of how she used the following criteria as a guide to overcome obstacles and begin to enhance and promote growth.
~The Power of Mentorship
~Allys are a must
~Stay in control of your narrative
~Stay grounded in your work
~Always remember your true purpose
Gabriela Bala
Gabriela Bala is in her 11th year as principal of St. Mary Catholic School in Royal Oak, with 22 years in education.
Session Title: Opening the Doors of Our Schools to All of God's Children: Creating a Place for PK-8 Students with Special Needs
Session Description:This session will provide practical guidance for K-8 teachers and administrators on creating a Catholic school environment that is open to and accepting of all children.