Catching Up with Cody: Building Inclusive Spaces
Dear Colleagues,
This week we are reminded we need to continue our work in making this world more inclusive. Many of us on Monday commemorated Juneteenth, which honors the emancipation of enslaved African Americans and celebrates African-American culture. It is a time for assessment, self-improvement and for planning the future. Its growing popularity signifies a level of maturity and dignity in America long overdue.
At Regis we believe in these core Jesuit values of unity of mind and heart: Our hearts and minds are not divided; they are congruent when the whole person is educated and engaged. This speaks to the diversity of people who go forth to set the world on fire with the Ignatian mission all across the world. While Juneteenth has passed, we still have plenty of opportunities year-round to continue this work of raising awareness and education. We provided an amazing resources page in the previous Regist but I wanted to share again and encourage everyone to learn more and continue to participate in events that commemorate this important day. You can access those resources here. We hope you’ve all been able to take that needed time to do just that and carry forth this mission.
We can do more beyond just remembering one day. Here are some ways to continue to support the Black community beyond Juneteenth as noted by this article in Diversify Outdoors:
Buy Products From Black-Owned Businesses
There are large networks of Black entrepreneurs selling products and services near you locally or online. Patronize these businesses.
Follow Black Organizations’ Lead
Take time to reach out to organizations that commemorate Juneteenth to learn how they are marking the holiday. You can volunteer, participate in their events, or amplify their messages on social media. Once you have made that connection, treat it as a long-term commitment and continue your support beyond the Juneteenth holiday.
Donate To Black Organizations Doing The Work
There are scores of organizations doing social justice and diversity, equity, and inclusion work on the grassroots level. Donate to their causes.
Pay Black Creators For Their Time
Predominately white organizations will create platforms around Black holidays or events (i.e. Black Birders Week) and reach out to have Black subject matter experts deliver keynote speeches without compensation. This is not ok. If you can recognize a Black person for their expertise, you can compensate them for their time. Create a budget that supports paying your invited Black speaker. Even if the event is free to the public, the Black creator deserves their pay.
Re-evaluate Your Culture of Diversity, Equity, And Inclusion (DEI)
Are you or your organization committed to positively impacting communities of color? Is celebrating Black holidays a way to check off a box for you? Unfortunately, many organizations are silent throughout the year seemingly waiting for these holidays to show the flag. Use Juneteenth to reevaluate how you approach issues that affect the Black community. From there, spend time monthly or quarterly to gauge your progress and quantify your contributions to the Black community. There are Black DEI consultants and organizations that you can reach out to for help if needed.
Creating a more diverse, equitable and inclusive environment is a unique experience for each organization. We have to be willing to make an enduring commitment to make progress. This is an opportunity for all of us to make this a lasting commitment to inclusion. We at Regis recognize this and going forward will continue to honor this holiday to remember we still have a lot of work to do in this space. Those who did not take Monday off may take a day off by Sept. 2.
"Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better." - Maya Angelou
Better together,
Cody Teets
Interim President/Trustee