Dena Samuels As you know, Starbucks has been in the news recently because of events in one of their stores in Philadelphia where two black men were arrested for trespassing simply waiting for their meeting to begin. Responding immediately to the extremely harmful actions of their personnel, Starbucks took responsibility by choosing to provide implicit bias training … Read more
Updated February 9th, 2021 How to avoid doing more harm than good, avoid potential disasters, and minimize resistance from organization members! 5 things to consider when you’re hiring a DEI consultant: Does your organization have a DEI Strategic Plan? Hiring a DEI consultant should be considered part of a comprehensive approach to cultural change in … Read more
At a retreat I recently attended at the Deer Park Retreat Center in Colorado, we were ringing in the new year with a discussion on the joy of authenticity. When we think about connecting with each other and building relationships across social differences, showing up and interacting from our authentic selves is critically important. Authenticity: … Read more
Culture Clash: How to engage people who have a different worldview than you I was speaking to a large group of people last week about racial justice and the importance of learning about what we don’t know we don’t know. Many people in the room are leaning in, wanting more. They know what we all … Read more
“Reacting to offensive comments is not simply a matter of course, where a comment is made and we just respond. These comments are typically fraught with an emotional charge. Thus, responding effectively depends in large part on our ability to recognize and acknowledge our own emotional reactions. Emotional intelligence, or EI (Goleman, 1995) is used … Read more
These first few weeks have been devastating to U.S. civil rights. Those of us who believe in freedom for all are certainly under attack. As my friend, colleague, and partner in crime, Stephany Rose reminded me recently after she marched on Washington and visited the Holocaust Museum: It only took Hitler 6 months to become … Read more
I’m standing in the midst of thousands of people at Denver’s MLK Day Marade (March/Parade), which is known as the largest MLK Day gathering of any in the U.S., and we are in the middle of an intersection in front of the looming State Capitol, and we are chanting, “I believe (clap, clap, clap)… we … Read more
At this time of transition (Solstice, New Year, presidential turnover, etc.), it’s a good time to let go of what no longer serves us and make room for hope and deep connection with others. This takes some self-reflection and what better place to start than in the yoga studio? In the new year, how about … Read more
As a white female social justice activist and educator of many years, I still struggle with the pain that is caused by racism, sexism, heterosexism, etc. That pain rears its ugly head periodically and reminds me why I must remain committed to the work. I was at a social justice conference not too long ago … Read more