Ama K. Karikari, Esq. (fmr. Karikari-Yawson)’s Post

All my #DEI folx across #Texas, please be careful and protect yourself. There are people out here who are choosing to negate the existence of LGBTQ Americans, perpetuate racism, promote hate, and deny that what they are doing is a "whitelash" against BIPOC folx. White supremacy, systemic racism, xenophobia, homophobia, transphobia, sexism, and Islamophobia undergird the movement. Parents and families are being manipulated by the movement. It is succeeding in largest part because not enough people are fighting to stop it. Conflicts and violence between racial groups will contune because citizens did not learn enough about other racial groups or about our nation’s racial history when they were in schools. Democracy will suffer. There’s too much at stake to allow anti-DEI efforts and related misinformation campaigns to continue. A well-coordinated, intentionally orchestrated, and highly funded countermovement is urgently needed to defend our democracy. #defendourdemocracy https://lnkd.in/g5M6hMx9

HOW THEY SEE the world: (From CRT Conference in Nashville): Subjects to be covered in CRT Summer School 2024 include: Historical context for today’s backlash to racial justice initiatives and why it matters. How the “war on woke” is really a war on Black knowledge, history, and other marginalized communities. How colorblind liberalism laid the groundwork for the current backlash by de-emphasizing the importance of race and racism in American life. How those attacking CRT and DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) initiatives ultimately seek to turn back the clock on a century of civil rights advances and represent a broader attack on public education and public institutions. How attacks on racial equity are connected to the assault on LGBTQ+ rights and liberties, and women’s reproductive freedom. Understanding the ultimate goal of the anti-woke movement, which is to destroy the prospect of multiracial democracy through its vision in Project 2025. Why centering racial justice and antiracism is the key to building and maintaining strong progressive coalitions, as well as realizing a multiracial democracy. https://lnkd.in/eEQrsP7x #DEI #diversityequityinclusion #diversityinclusionequity #woke

🌟 Another reminder of the power and responsibility we carry on social media. The recent incident involving Natalie Cline, a member of the Utah State Board of Education, serves as a poignant example of the impact of our online words. As reported by KUTV 2News / KMYU, Cline's misgendering social media post directed at a high school basketball player sparked outrage and resulted in the student facing hateful comments. While Cline has cited First Amendment protection for her speech, the situation underscores the need for education on responsible social media usage. Articles like this highlight the importance of platforms like LifeBrand in providing guidance on respectful communication and sensitivity towards sensitive issues such as gender identity. With the right education, such missteps could potentially be avoided, preventing harm and fostering a more inclusive online environment. Moreover, it's crucial to remember that while we have the right to free speech, we are not immune to the repercussions of our words. Cline's situation reminds us that exercising our First Amendment rights does not absolve us from accountability for the impact of our speech. Let's continue to advocate for responsible social media use, where freedom of expression is balanced with empathy and respect for others. Together, we can create a more positive and inclusive online community. #SocialMediaEthics #InclusiveCommunication #ResponsibilityOnline #LifeBrand #SocialMediaEducation #LifeBrandEducation 🌐📱 Lou Lesperance Jemma Barbarise-Kelley T.J. Colaiezzi Cara Alcoff Melissa Sharp Vinny Corpora Lauren Lindley Brittany Smith Brian Mahoney Sally Rudolph Kevin Quinlan Jim Quinlan https://lnkd.in/eHbGNnYW

Let's amplify the conversation on the devastating ripple effects when Black women are forced to exit Higher Education Institutions. The impact on the community, especially BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ students, is profound and often overlooked. #SupportBlackWomen #InclusiveEducation

Sharing because evidence is what I lean on. Article includes links to an evidence-based report that supports the importance of DEI in higher ed. If medical schools can't teach aspiring physicians about biases and social determinants of health, people from marginalized communities will continue to die at higher rates, maternal death rates for black mothers will continue to rise, LGBTQ+ folk will not get the care they need and so on. https://bit.ly/3vrIu0g

Alabama’s Anti-DEI Law Takes Effect: College Offices Close, Websites Scrubbed In more fallout fromAlabama’s new anti-DEI law, universities across the state, including the University of Alabama, have closed diversity offices and removed related resources from websites. The law, signed by Governor Kay Ivey, bans state institutions from using public funds for DEI initiatives that promote "divisive concepts." Students and staff express concern over the loss of crucial support spaces like the Black Student Union and LGBTQ resource centers, as well as the broader impact on campus culture and diversity efforts. https://lnkd.in/grw8Crf9 #AlabamaEducation #DEILaw #CampusDiversity #HigherEd #AlabamaColleges

Supporting a Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprise (MWBE) is more than just a smart business decision—it’s a powerful way to drive diversity in marketing. MWBEs bring unique perspectives that resonate with underrepresented communities, fostering inclusive campaigns that go beyond the surface. By partnering with an MWBE, you’re not just diversifying your supply chain—you’re empowering innovation that authentically connects with diverse audiences. In today’s global market, this is crucial for building genuine relationships and driving sustainable growth. Support MWBEs. Champion diversity. Create marketing that matters. #SupportMWBEs #DiversityInMarketing #InclusiveInnovation #EmpowerDiverseVoices #AuthenticConnections #MarketingWithPurpose #SupplierDiversity

A Statement of Solidarity: The Future of Cultural Based Programming in Higher Education My heart aches today as someone who is invested in the overall development of students in the collegiate environment. On April 3rd, 2024, news broke in The Washington Post of the 50-plus layoffs of higher education professionals from the University of Texas - Austin. In addition, the article sheds light on the impending changes coming down the pipeline that are tied to the implementation of Texas Senate Bill 17. One of those changes includes the discontinuing of programs and activities within the Division of Campus and Community Engagement and a complete dismantling of the division as a whole. Outside of the immediate implications on the lives of the staff and faculty members of this decision, I can’t help but think about the future of our students, specifically those of marginalized communities. Brown Vs Board of Education, the Civil Rights Act of 1964, The Higher Education Act of 1965, and its crucial amendments in following years such as the Educational Amendments of 1972 are crucial pieces of legislation that support and protect the education of students from a variety of backgrounds and identities. Senate Bill 17 and similar legislation arising across the nation serve as a dog whistle for a blatant attack on equitable access to higher education and the resources that aid in the successful matriculation of students through post-secondary degree programs. It’s important to note that I do not speak on behalf or in any official capacity of my current institution of employment. However, I do speak in the official capacity of myself as a Black Queer man who has received an undergraduate degree, a full-time working professional who is currently pursuing a graduate degree, and someone who has plans to seek a terminal degree. I stand in solidarity with the staff, faculty, and most importantly the students who are impacted by the behaviors that are a result of racial fragility. In the words of bell hooks “The classroom, with all its limitations, remains a location of possibility. In that field of possibility, we have the opportunity to labor for freedom, to demand of ourselves and our comrades, an openness of mind and heart that allows us to face reality even as we collectively imagine ways to move beyond boundaries, to transgress…”. We must protect the paths and spaces that allow people from all backgrounds to explore the possibility of the classroom. My words not only serve as a point of solidarity but a call to action. What can we do today, that protects the educational experience of our students tomorrow? Access Statement Sources via https://lnkd.in/enavVsRw

"We are in the midst of a radical abandonment of a compact that the civil rights movement forged, a shared understanding that racial inequality is harmful to democracy. . . Yet any attempt to manufacture equality by the same [race-conscious] means that this society manufactured inequality has faced fierce and powerful resistance." These claims are both true and powerful, but later claims in the same article have less resonance with current realities. The author (the inimitable Nikole Hannah-Jones) writes, "Many institutions have treated affirmative-action programs as a means of achieving visual diversity. Doing so has weakened the most forceful arguments for affirmative action, which in turn has weakened public support for such policies." Diversity or #DEI as it is commonly known today is a legacy of "affirmative action," but the two are NOT the same. #DEI looks forward to our aspirations for a multi-cultural, pluralist democracy marked by a commitment to equality of opportunity. Affirmative action looks backwards to a history that is marred by a racial caste system enshrined in law and policy. #DEI is actually far more popular a concept today than "affirmative action." Both remain necessary, but one (affirmative action) has been receding in support (both legal and popular) for decades. The other (diversity) enjoys broad legal and popular support, notwithstanding the recent political and legal attacks. I understand the attempt to revive "affirmative action" in the wake of attacks on #DEI, but we need not accept an either or choice between the two. We can and must continue to confront and redress our nation's history of racial caste, but we also must continue to pursue the guarantee of equality on behalf of all Americans that is embodied in the pursuit of #DEI. We cannot allow the opposition to dictate our course or dissuade us from the full pursuit of equality. We still need affirmative action, but we will always need #DEI. #DefendDiversity, #DailyDiversityMoment