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
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
Panelists
Karrie Kingsley
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 Blair Lewis
Panelists
Darline Robles
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
Panelists
Laurette Hill
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
Panelists
Allissa Richardson
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
Ilene Rosenstein
Jonathan Wang
REW Project Team
The REW Project is led by USC University HR Talent and Organization Development and Campus Wellbeing.
Michelle Tam
Employee Development Specialist
Ilene Rosenstein
Associate Vice Provost, Campus Wellbeing
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
- Slide deck
- Webinar (Passcode: !4Hn@wJ+)
November 1, 12:00pm But Look What Great Programs We Have! Is all programming performative?
- Webinar (Passcode: 85hD36!a)
November 15, 12:00pm Seats at the Table: On representation and relationships
- Webinar (Passcode: hJ5!g$f7)
November 29, 12:00pm “But that’s not funny.” Setting boundaries by speaking to impact over intent
- Webinar (Passcode: gH9!r4#p)
December 13, 12:00pm “Palmam qui meruit ferat.” I earned my palms, and I will decide where to bear them.
- Webinar (Passcode: uKN85#vS)
Spring 2022
March 22, 12:00pm Why We Fight: Sustaining Our Commitment to Racial Equity by Sustaining Ourselves
- Slide deck
- Webinar (Passcode: !GQa87BB)
April 5, 12:00pm How To Build What We Have Not Seen: When Effort May Be More Important Than Expertise
- Slide deck
- Webinar (Passcode: Z$P1waKB)
April 19, 12:00pm But DEI Is Not in Your Job Description: What It Takes To Get Change Going
- Slide deck
- Webinar (Passcode: VQS6^R=e)
May 3, 12:00pm How Do You Show Up? Living a Life True to Your Values Especially When It Is Hard
- Slide deck
- Webinar (Passcode: L9xW3XF!)
May 17, 12:00pm Sick and Tired of Being Sick and Tired: When To Stay and Fight for Change, and When To Move On
- Slide deck
- Webinar (Passcode: D6CEQ8#6)
May 31, 12:00pm Why We Fight: Sustaining Our Commitment to Racial Equity by Sustaining Ourselves Revisited
- Slide deck
- Webinar (Passcode: FightOn!2022)
Spring 2021
March 2, 12:00pm Making Sense of the Chaos of 2020 and Envisioning the Road Ahead
- Slide deck
- Webinar (Passcode: L9C=Uo1n)
March 16, 12:00pm The Importance of Cultivating Self-Awareness
- Slide deck
- Webinar (Passcode: 5U3?UxGR)
March 30, 12:00pm Was I Just Racist?
- Slide deck
- Webinar (Passcode: HrN8Y$mQ)
April 13, 12:00pm Recognizing and Responding to Racism
- Slide deck
- Webinar (Passcode: JPpE50w*)
April 27, 12:00pm Language Matters
- Slide deck
- Webinar (Passcode: fi+1xc#A)
May 11, 12:00pm How to Create Environments Where All Employees can be Their Full, Authentic Selves
- Slide deck
- Webinar (Passcode: Cb*n1gm.)
Summer 2021
July 13, 12:00pm Energy and Restoration: Finding Strength from Ourselves and Our Community
- Slide deck
- Webinar (Passcode: 31+HNfYh)
July 27, 12:00pm We Are the Movement: Strengthening Our Inclusive Community
- Slide deck
- Webinar (Passcode: #=w493X@)
Fall 2021
September 14, 12:00pm Moving the Needle and Seismic Shifts
- Slide deck
- Webinar (Passcode: Hbz*cy7C)
September 28, 12:00pm Psychological Safety as an Issue of Equity
- Slide deck
- Webinar (Passcode: g?ed6q4x)
October 12, 12:00pm Moving from “Ugh!” to “Oh!”
- Slide deck
- Webinar (Passcode: a1xh+?^u)
October 26, 12:00pm Lead from any seat
- Slide deck
- Webinar (Passcode: 7H!8+2Bv)
November 9, 12:00pm Levers of Justice
- Slide deck
- Webinar (Passcode: A$mEk5!%)
November 23, 12:00pm What is a “Trojan?” Brand Loyalty and The Community
- Slide deck
- Webinar (Passcode: ejmQ3d.#)
Please see also: diversity.usc.edu/events/