Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)

Future Events

Past Events

MPI Chapter Antiracism Virtual Book Club Discussion

To continue our DEI work, the MPI chapter will be hosting a virtual book club discussion where we read DEI and antiracism books and participate in a discussion guided by the chapter DEI task force members. This provides a safe space to learn, reflect, and have conversations around topics of racism and learn how to be better allies to those facing systematic racism and oppression. 

• Two books to be discussed, one in February 2021 and one in March 2021
• Format: Virtual. Book to be purchased/borrowed by participants. We recommend Black Garnet Books which is the first black-owned bookstore in Minnesota or via the public library
• Cost: Free. However, you are welcome to donate towards the Loveland Foundation which provides healing and therapy to Black women and girls 

1) February 24: Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Man- 3:00 pm-4:00 pm (time subject to change based on interest and availability.)

In Uncomfortable Conversations With a Black Man, Acho takes on all the questions, large and small, insensitive, and taboo, many white Americans are afraid to ask. Yet which all Americans need the answers to, now more than ever. With the same open-hearted generosity that has made his video series a phenomenon, Acho explains the vital core of such fraught concepts as white privilege, cultural appropriation, and “reverse racism.” In his own words, he provides a space of compassion and understanding in a discussion that can lack both. He asks only for the reader’s curiosity. But along the way, he will galvanize all of us to join the antiracist fight.

2) March 31: How to be Antiracist- Ibram X Kendi - 3:00 pm-4:00 pm (time subject to change based on interest and availability.)

Kendi takes readers through a widening circle of antiracist ideas to help readers see all forms of racism, understand consequences, and work to oppose them in our systems and ourselves. This is essential work for anyone who wants to go beyond the awareness of racism to the next step: contributing to the formation of a just and equitable society.

3) May 19, 2021, DEI Panel at WeConnect.

4) July 28, 2021 DEI Community Chat: Pride, Pronouns, and Privilege: How Intersectionality Informs Our Allyships Journey 

To continue our DEI work, we will be hosting quarterly community chats. This is not a professionally moderated call but a safe space to discuss DEI topics. Everyone is welcome to attend.

For the month of July, we will be discussing this podcast from the Forum on Workplace Inclusion to examine the complexities of marginalization, intersectionality, masculinity, and power, through the lens of allyship.

Podcast Ep 66: Pride, Pronouns, and Privilege: How Intersectionality Informs Our Allyships Journey

We can expand our potential for connection and belong despite the stress of uncertainty and inequity, by listening to and learning from people who aren’t often seated at the same table. This fireside chat will highlight various shared and disparate lived experiences, in a way that acknowledges the reality that we can be both under-represented and under-estimated, while also carrying privilege that can be leveraged for positive impact.

• Expanded focus on the intersection of masculinity, race, and gender
• An experience of learning, listening, and lifting lesbian, trans/queer non-binary voices
• Providing an example of what an ally conversation can look and sound like

Listen to the podcast:
https://forumworkplaceinclusion.org/p66/

5) Nov. 30, 2021, Film discussion about Indian Horse

For the month of November, we wanted to recognize Native American Heritage Month so we will have a film discussion about Indian Horse. 

Film description: Saul Indian Horse, an Ojibway boy, is torn from his family and committed to a residential school. At the school, Saul is denied the freedom to speak his language or embrace his heritage and is a witness to abuse by the people sworn to protect him. But Saul finds salvation in the unlikeliest of places - the rink. His incredible hockey talents lead him away from the school to bigger and better opportunities, but no matter how far Saul goes, the ghosts of his past are always close behind.

The documentary can be found on Netflix, Amazon. For more information,
https://www.indianhorse.ca/en/film

6) Jan. 18, 2022, we discussed the talk show from Events: From Black to White (November episode) which is a discussion between two industry professionals, Derrick Johnson and Carrie Abernathy around different DEI topics and how we can make changes in our industry.

This is not a professionally moderated call but a safe space to discuss DEI topics. Everyone is welcome to attend.