Race + Equity + Wellbeing series

usc-tower-rew

A catalyst for equitable change so all people can thrive.

Educate

We leverage the collective knowledge of faculty, staff, and students to advance our community’s understanding of, and ability to speak with each other about race, equity, and well-being.

Amplify

We use our collective power and positionality to ensure that lived experiences at the intersection of race, equity, and wellbeing are central to any conversation about culture at USC.

Change

We commit to leveraging our power and positionality to call for and engage in processes of assessment and change of policy and culture to advance equity and wellbeing.

About the Series

More than three thousand USC staff, faculty, and students have attended the series that continues to provide space to learn, connect, heal, and take action to support themselves and others. The Spring 2023 series will include community members working together to create a more inclusive and equitable USC.

Join experts from our USC community every Tuesday starting March 21 and ending April 11, from 12-12:50pm. There will be four panels and one discussion session this semester. Expert panelists will gather to engage in topics of Race, Equity, and Wellbeing. Recording of each webinar will be available in the days following each session. After the four panels, the conversation will continue with a Discussion Group, also from 12:00-12:50 p.m. on April 18. Led by trained facilitators, these important dialogues allow participants to engage with other staff, faculty, and students. Reactions, stories, plans for action, and honest reflection are encouraged. Webinar attendance is NOT required for the discussion groups. These discussions are not recorded since we want to create a psychologically safe space to share our views.

Race + Equity + Wellbeing is a collaboration between HR, Equity, and Compliance, the USC Office of Campus Wellbeing and Education, USC Culture Journey, and the Office of the Vice President and Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer.

If you have any questions, please contact tlntdev@usc.edu


Upcoming Sessions

Session 1: Responding to the Dynamics of Hate

Tuesday, March 21, 2023 at noon


Session 2: Confronting Fear Through Community

Tuesday, March 28, 2023 at noon


Session 3: The Seduction of Representation

Tuesday, April 4, 2023 at noon


Session 4: Is “Cancelling” a Viable Solution?

Tuesday, April 11, 2023 at noon


Session 1: Responding to the Dynamics of Hate

Tuesday, March 21, 2023 at noon

Hate and its manifestation of violence happens repeatedly and frequently, threatening our communities along racial, religious, ethnic, sexual, and gender lines. How does hate capitalize on people’s insecurities in efforts to retain power?  How can we feel safe and thrive when we are the target of such bias, prejudice and violence? How can we claim our right to not be targeted and live the lives we choose to live? Please join moderator, Anita Dashiell-Sparks, as she explores with our USC experts how USC as community can effectively respond to such tragic and hateful events.

Moderator

Anita-Dashiell-Sparks

Anita Dashiell-Sparks   

Panelists

Karrie Kingsley

Karrie Kingsley

Darnell Cole

Darnell Cole


Session 2: Confronting Fear Through Community

Tuesday, March 28, 2023 at noon

So many people are living a life with fear. Does fear signal to us to go hide or can it help us ban together to act with wisdom? Does our fear need to be acknowledged, shared with one another, and therefore motivate us to do what we view is right? How can individuals and communities come together, grow from our learnings and lived experiences, and intentionally respond with courage and pride? Join our moderator, LaVonna Blair Lewis, as she and an expert USC panel explore this important topic regarding how our communities can serve as healers, teachers, and creators of joy.

Moderator

LaVonna-Lewis-190x190-1

LaVonna Blair Lewis      

Panelists

Darline-Robles-190x190-1

Darline Robles

Chris Manning

Chris Manning


Session 3: The Seduction of Representation

Tuesday, April 4, 2023 at noon

What is the difference between true inclusion and belonging versus mere representation? How do policies, structure and systems serve as forces of their own, continuing to support a culture of oppression regardless of representation? Join our moderator, Jody Armour, as he explores with our USC experts how we can challenge conventional assumptions, change the culture, and provide safety, equity, and inclusion to all in our community.

Moderator

Jody Armour

Jody Armour

Panelists

Laurette Hill

Laurette Hill

Brandi Jones

Brandi Jones


Session 4: Is “Cancelling” a Viable Solution?

Tuesday, April 11, 2023 at noon

What is the impact of “cancelling” on individuals and communities as a method of addressing the impact of ignorance? What is the threshold between cancellation and intolerance? What other responses exist that still center the pain of impact and accountability regardless of intent? Join our moderator, Dr. Quade French, as he and an expert USC panel explore this important topic and its connection to higher education.

Moderator

Quade French

Quade French

Panelists

Allissa Richardson

Allissa Richardson

Akira Mizuta Lippit

Akira Mizuta Lippit


Discussion Sessions

Discussion Group

Tuesday, April 18, 2023 at noon

Led by trained facilitators, these important dialogues allow participants to engage with other staff, students, and faculty. Reactions, stories, plans for action, and honest reflection are encouraged. Webinar attendance is NOT required for the discussion groups. These discussions are not recorded since we want to create a psychologically safe space to share our views.

Lead Facilitators

Anita-Dashiell-Sparks-190x190-1

Anita Dashiell-Sparks   

Ilene-Rosenstein-400x400-1

Ilene Rosenstein 

Jonathan-Wang-190x190-1

Jonathan Wang


REW Project Team

The REW Project is led by USC University HR Talent and Organization Development and Campus Wellbeing.

Michelle-Tam

Michelle Tam
Employee Development Specialist

Ilene-Rosenstein-400x400-1-200x200

Ilene Rosenstein
Associate Vice Provost, Campus Wellbeing

Mynor Rios

Mynor Rios
Administrative Assistant


Previous Sessions

Fall 2022

October 18, 12:00pm      Still We Stand: When pursuing racial equity and wellbeing is a way of life

November 1, 12:00pm     But Look What Great Programs We Have! Is all programming performative?

November 15, 12:00pm    Seats at the Table: On representation and relationships

November 29, 12:00pm  “But that’s not funny.”  Setting boundaries by speaking to impact over intent

December 13, 12:00pm   “Palmam qui meruit ferat.”  I earned my palms, and I will decide where to bear them.

Spring 2022

March 22, 12:00pm        Why We Fight: Sustaining Our Commitment to Racial Equity by Sustaining Ourselves

April 5, 12:00pm       How To Build What We Have Not Seen: When Effort May Be More Important Than Expertise

April 19, 12:00pm      But DEI Is Not in Your Job Description: What It Takes To Get Change Going

May 3, 12:00pm     How Do You Show Up? Living a Life True to Your Values Especially When It Is Hard

May 17, 12:00pm    Sick and Tired of Being Sick and Tired: When To Stay and Fight for Change, and When To Move On

May 31, 12:00pm   Why We Fight: Sustaining Our Commitment to Racial Equity by Sustaining Ourselves Revisited

Spring 2021

March 2, 12:00pm         Making Sense of the Chaos of 2020 and Envisioning the Road Ahead

March 16, 12:00pm       The Importance of Cultivating Self-Awareness

March 30, 12:00pm       Was I Just Racist?

April 13, 12:00pm          Recognizing and Responding to Racism

April 27, 12:00pm          Language Matters

May 11, 12:00pm           How to Create Environments Where All Employees can be Their Full, Authentic Selves

Summer 2021

July 13, 12:00pm         Energy and Restoration: Finding Strength from Ourselves and Our Community

July 27, 12:00pm         We Are the Movement: Strengthening Our Inclusive Community

Fall 2021

September 14, 12:00pm         Moving the Needle and Seismic Shifts

September 28, 12:00pm         Psychological Safety as an Issue of Equity

October 12, 12:00pm         Moving from “Ugh!” to “Oh!”

October 26, 12:00pm         Lead from any seat

November 9, 12:00pm         Levers of Justice

November 23, 12:00pm         What is a “Trojan?” Brand Loyalty and The Community


Please see also: diversity.usc.edu/events/