DEI and Culturally Aware Programming for DREAM Mentors
Hello DREAMers! Welcome to the first volume of DREAM's DEI Mentoring Newsletter! To start off, some of you may be wondering, what exactly is DEI? DEI is short for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Below are the definitions of each segment as provided by NACE.com: Diversity: Including but is not limited to race, color, ethnicity, nationality, religion, socioeconomic status, veteran status, education, marital status, language, age, gender, gender expression, gender identity, sexual orientation, mental or physical ability, genetic information, and learning styles." Equity: The guarantee of fair treatment, access, opportunity, and advancement for all while striving to identify and eliminate barriers that have prevented the full participation of some groups. The principle of equity acknowledges that there are historically under-served and under-represented populations and that fairness regarding these unbalanced conditions is needed to assist equality in the provision of effective opportunities to all groups." Inclusion: Authentically bringing traditionally excluded individuals and/or groups into processes, activities, and decision/policymaking in a way that shares power and ensures equal access to opportunities and resources." This new newsletter series was curated to address the educational needs of our current mentors on the subjects of diversity and creating culturally aware programming. Many of you have asked us for resources that could be used to facilitate conversations and teach your mentees on the subjects of race and inclusion. Especially in today's times, these subjects have been at the forefront of modern media, and a sensitive subject for those affected. It will always be a priority of the DREAM organization to strive for an inclusive, diverse, and ethical working environment in all that we do, and especially for the youth that we work with. We hope that you all find these bi-weekly resources useful and incorporate them into your lesson plans with your mentees moving forward. Below are this week's three DEI Resources: 1.) Talk About Race (NPR Audio Guide) This twenty-minute NPR audio segment highlights key things to keep in mind when discussing race with young children in an informative, eye-opening story from experts, educators, and parents.
2.) "Who I Am" Poetry Activity This fifteen-minute activity encourages self-awareness and development by having each participant write a short poem with an 'I statement' with things that make them unique.
3.) Teaching Kids About Diversity (Craft Activity) This visual activity only requires a simple household item (eggs), and showcases this simple message of diversity: "We are all the same on the inside."
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES Looking for more DEI and inclusive mentorship resources Be sure to check out our official resource hub and Facebook Group!