Villa of Hope’s Post

We need to highlight the role of Tourism in diversity and inclusion. How are the visually impaired experiencing tourism in your community?

In 2023 the World Health Organization (WHO) estimated that, roughly 1.3 billion people, or about 16% of the world's population, are dealing with significant disabilities. Making tourism facilities, products, and services accessible to everyone is a key element of any smart and sustainable tourism strategy. It's not just a matter of human rights; it's also a chance for destinations and companies to welcome all visitors and boost their revenues.

The significance of this day and its legacy is never lost on me as I continue to learn and work to be better. It's not just a day of celebration but a call to action for all of us. In marketing and media, I consider it a big responsibility to amplify diverse perspectives and invest in platforms that support this crucial dialogue. Juneteenth, marking the end of slavery in the United States, is a reminder of the resilience and contributions of Black communities throughout history. Yet, despite these contributions, Black voices continue to be underrepresented and misrepresented in our culture and media. You don’t need to be too aware to see what research shows us, that Black Americans often face stereotypes in media portrayals, and their stories are frequently marginalized or overlooked entirely - even today. As marketers, we hold the power to reshape this narrative. By consciously investing in Black-owned media outlets and inclusive storytelling, we can help elevate these essential voices and foster a more equitable society. It's about more than just representation; it's about genuinely listening and reflecting diverse experiences in the work we do. Learn more about the history and significance of Juneteenth from the National Museum of African American History and Culture https://lnkd.in/ewYsmBsz. Let's all commit to being part of the change.

It's been 100 years since the birth of the Geneva Declaration of the Rights of the Child, authored by Save the Children International's founder Eglantyne Jebb. This visionary and bold stance has not only enabled the progress of young people everywhere; personally it gave me the language and framework to cultivate my passion and do my part in bettering our world. However, there is still a long way for us to go where children's lives are valued equally, EVERYWHERE. https://lnkd.in/dQatYiy4

Juneteenth is a day that symbolizes freedom and celebrates the end of slavery in the United States. It's a time to honor the resilience of Black Americans and recognize their contributions. It's a time to reflect on the progress we've made and the work that still needs to be done. Here are some resources to read today: If you are looking for an overview of the day's history, check out the National Museum of African American History & Culture's article: https://lnkd.in/gqvPZFF If you're wondering about the origins of Juneteenth's name, check out CBS News' deep-dive: https://lnkd.in/g-Hnpm_9 Curious about how different organizations are recognizing the day? AdAge offers a look: https://lnkd.in/egYpZTXR Sometimes, taking a step back to reflect can be powerful. Read more on Adweek's perspective: https://lnkd.in/ehvVfxbN

In recognition of Juneteenth, we at OEM wanted to take this moment to uplift an excerpt from a message about the holiday from Jamal Fox, Executive Director of the Oregon Board of Pharmacy.  “We celebrate Juneteenth as “Freedom Day” from centuries of struggles and triumphs reflecting on both our commitment to and vision of greater patient safety, access, and accessibility to healthcare for all- remembering that, there is more work to be done as an agency and in our communities.  Despite its recent commemoration as a nationally recognized day, the origins of Juneteenth and subsequent celebrations date back more than 160 years ago. On January 1, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation to free enslaved people in the Southern secessionist states.  However, due to the delay in communication and enforcement of the Proclamation, Texas—the westernmost state in the Confederacy—was the last location reached by Union troops tasked with making the announcement. Because of this delay, slavery did not cease in the state until June 19, 1865, more than two years later, when Army General Gordon Granger proclaimed freedom for all enslaved Texans.    ... June 19th is a day worth celebrating and a day of recognition. However, as a nation, we still have so far to go to not just acknowledge but address the racial disparities many diverse communities and communities of color face.”  While it has been celebrated for 159 years in the Black and African American community, Juneteenth only officially became a Federal and State holiday 2-3 years ago. Please see below for more context and educational resources on Juneteenth:     - Learn the history of Juneteenth: https://s.si.edu/3Xr5rfF  - Celebrate Juneteenth in Oregon: https://bit.ly/4cbpHGL  - Volunteer or attend your local Juneteenth events: https://bit.ly/3z4R06Z   - Centering Black voices and stories: https://lnkd.in/gKWtzDqX 

Happy Juneteenth! We want to highlight the importance of centering Black folks in how we all celebrate today.  As a healthcare professional, how is your practice and organization countering racial injustices and promoting an inclusive human experience for patients, families, and staff daily? We would like to share a few ways to honor Juneteenth today by gaining awareness and taking action as a healthcare professional. The link provided below from the National Museum of African American History and Culture, is a great starting point to increase awareness and includes a digital toolkit. We also encourage each of us to commit to at least one implicit bias interruption skill you can cultivate in your daily life. One example could be Shift the Frame during communication with fellow healthcare professionals. For example, when you notice phrases being used to describe a patient or family, ask for more information, “Can you tell me more about what was difficult/picky/challenging?” and promote consideration of what the family’s perspective may be with your colleague and how to promote partnership with the patient. Bias interruption is a daily practice, and one that supports the actionable changes needed to decrease racial injustices in healthcare. As we all celebrate Juneteenth today, we must also continue to move from awareness to action to improve health equity. #HealthEquity #ImplicitBiasInterruption #AwarenessToAction https://lnkd.in/gqvPZFF

At Why me?, we strive to place voices of lived experience at the centre of our work. We think that amplifying the voices of people who have been through the Restorative Justice process is crucial in raising awareness. Hearing someone who has been through it speak to their experience can encourage others to consider whether Restorative Justice is right for them. https://lnkd.in/e4fgQK6U

Today, we honor Juneteenth, a pivotal day in American history when the last enslaved African Americans in Galveston, Texas, received news of their liberation in 1865, two and a half years after the declaration of the Emancipation Proclamation. Today is not just a commemoration of the past but a call to action for the present and future, and a time to reflect on the progress we've made and acknowledge the work that still needs to be done. I encourage you to take a moment to educate yourself about its significance, support Black-owned businesses, participate in local events, and engage in conversations about racial justice. Let us listen, learn, and take meaningful actions to create an environment where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered.   I found the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture, linked below, to be informative, and if you have any other resources or creators you'd like to share, please add them to the comments below. Together, we can honor this day by building a future rooted in understanding, unity, and equality.   Read more at https://lnkd.in/eNMwQqtJ

To my LinkedIn friends and colleagues,   Some of you are aware of my passion for documentaries covering topics such as industry, government, public figures, and transportation. It's my privilege to share with you a documentary (see YouTube link below) about my hometown of Jefferson City, MO, which captures the oral history of residents from a black neighborhood known as "The Foot". This area was a vibrant mixed-use community, boasting everything from hotels to grocery stores. When it came to entertainment, The Foot was a hotspot where talented musical acts like Ike and Tina Turner often performed. I'm sharing this video not just because it's about my hometown, where many of my family members still reside, but because it provides a broader insight into the issue of Urban Renewal. We all know that Urban Renewal initiatives were largely destructive practices that disproportionately affected low-income and minority neighborhoods. However, too often, I think people associate Urban Renewal as an issue that only impacted large urban areas like Boston, Chicago, Cincinnati, NYC, and St. Louis.    Small cities, like the one I grew up in, also suffered from this same negative approach to planning, and the impacts it had on small communities were just as devastating for those who lived there as they were for residents of big cities.   Many of you are involved in industries that support and lead projects with the potential to profoundly influence both infrastructure and the social fabric of the communities they serve. This documentary, along with other examples, serves as a reminder that what we do truly matters and can have a lasting and deep impact. We must never lose sight of this as we advise and lead such developments.     Happy Black History Month! https://lnkd.in/gtXy9tfC