Fostering Essential Conversations
University of Phoenix and the National Diversity Council brought together law enforcement, healthcare and university leaders for a four-day webinar series from October 5-8, 2020, to discuss the systemic inequities that persist today and perspectives on how to work together toward a more diverse, inclusive and equitable society.
Attendees were equipped with a blueprint that they completed while listening to the dialogue and utilize to champion equity conversations in their spheres of influence, helping them to lead change within their organizations and the communities they serve. Click here to download the blueprint.
Keynote conversation: Why we must bravely engage in essential conversations in diversity, equity and inclusion
Our world has been turned upside down by a pandemic that has not only threatened our health and safety, but laid bare the persistent disparities that drive inequities in education, healthcare and law enforcement for people of color, often disproportionately Black Americans. This has led to an important reinvigoration of essential conversations about systemic racism, and vigorous debates about how to eliminate, once and for all, deep-seated behaviors and practices.
The keynote portion of the webinar series featured opening remarks from Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego. She introduced Peter Cohen, president of University of Phoenix, and Dennis Kennedy, chairman and founder of the National Diversity Council, who discussed our current environment from their vantage point as leaders of organizations in higher education and advocacy, respectively, and ways for other leaders to approach these essential conversations within their own organizations.
Watch a recording of the Keynote Conversation:
Access to Webinar Recordings
Below are the key takeaways and full recordings of each session of the webinar series. There are two recordings for each day, one for the morning session and one for the afternoon session.
Day 1: Essential conversation on the history of systemic inequities in America
Monday, Oct. 05, 2020
Diversity, privilege and leadership
Leaders must be able to effectively communicate, teach and support colleagues in understanding the history of systemic inequities. To do this, they must have access to tools and resources as well as a strategy for implementing their use.
Morning session featured speaker:
Eddie Moore, Jr., Ph.D., founder and program director of The White Privilege Foundation
Watch a recording of Day 1 morning session:
Afternoon session speaker:
Kelly Price Noble, DHA, chair, College of Health Professions, University of Phoenix, addressing cultural competence and stereotypes within our society
Watch a recording of Day 1 afternoon session:
Day 2: Addressing diversity, equity and inclusion through police reform
Tuesday, Oct. 06, 2020
Addressing diversity, equity and inclusion through police reform
Leaders from law enforcement agencies discussed organizational culture, political realities, successful and unsuccessful policies and programs, and generational challenges faced across the country, as well as community-oriented policing, new technologies and use of force.
Morning Panel: Organizational culture, political realities, police and programs, generational leadership and agency leadership
Thedrick Andres, Chief of Police, Henderson Police Department
Capt. Hector Cintron, Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department
U.S. Marshal Christopher Hoye, (Retired)
Watch a recording of the Day 2 morning panel discussion:
Afternoon Panel: Systemic inequities through community-oriented policing, diversity in criminal justice agencies, new technologies in policing and use of force situations in law enforcement.
Lt. Dave Mitchell, San Diego Police Department (Retired)
Sgt. Kyle Ward, Ph.D., Las Vegas Metro Police Department
Leroy Hendrix, U.S. Secret Service, assistant special agent in charge (Retired)
Watch a recording of the Day 2 afternoon panel discussion:
Thank you to our Day 2 afternoon moderators Dan Barry and Franzi Walsh.
Day 3: Overcoming disparities in delivering quality patient care and public health
Wednesday, Oct. 07, 2020
Overcoming disparities in delivering quality patient care and public health
Leaders in the field discussed healthcare disparities, why they matter, key initiatives to help address them and ways to eliminate racial and ethnic disparities in the delivery of patient-centered care.
Morning Panel Topic: Disparities in patient-centered care
Joe Avelino, chief executive officer, College Medical Center
DeMarico Davis, executive staff assistant, VA Medical Center
Tomás León, MBA, senior vice president, marketing and strategy, Equality Health
Debra A. Freed, government relations director, New England Chapter Paralyzed Veterans of America
Watch a recording of the Day 3 morning panel discussion:
Afternoon Panel Topic: What is public health?
Nathan Aish, MSW MPH PPS CATC, University of Phoenix faculty member, College of Health Professions
Jack Land, University of Phoenix faculty member, College of Health Professions
Mosunmola (Lizzy) Adeyemi, Ph.D., RN, CIC, clinical quality improvement specialist
Watch a recording of Day 3 afternoon panel session:
Thank you to our Day 3 moderators Kelly Price Noble and Cindy Mackay-Neorr.
Day 4: The role higher education can play in developing inclusive student bodies
Thursday, Oct. 08, 2020
The role higher education can play in developing inclusive student bodies
Higher education has the opportunity to influence future generations by integrating diversity, equity and inclusion into all aspects of curriculum as well as campus activities and services.
Morning Panel Topic: Current practices related to student support, community outreach and pandemic response
Amanda Kraus, Ph.D., AVP, campus life & executive director & ADA/504 compliance officer, disability resources and housing & residential life, The University of Arizona
Sanghoon Yoo, founder, Arizona Trauma Informed Faith Community Network
Felicia Ganther, Ph.D., associate vice chancellor, Academic and Student Affairs, Maricopa Community Colleges
Watch a recording of the Day 4 morning panel discussion:
Afternoon Panel Topic: Where have we been and where do we need to go?
Kimberly Underwood, Ph.D., research chair, University of Phoenix Center for Workplace Diversity and Inclusion Research
Chris Dowdy, Ph.D., VP, Academic Affairs, Paul Quinn College
Saray Lopez, director, Student Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, UOPX
Monica Villalobos, president & CEO of the Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
Watch a recording of the Day 4 afternoon panel discussion:
Thank you to our Day 4 moderator Dr. Shawn Boone.
