The Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Panel and
Question & Answer Session:
A Discussion on the Intersectionality of Disability and Race
Speaking authentically about race and disability requires courage and intention.
Join Nakia Green and Emily Blum for a transformative session centering in-depth, action-oriented conversations on the intersections of racial equity and disability justice. The presenters will explore the strong connection and history of race, disability, and the intersectional justice movements that have advanced the rights of people of color and people with disabilities. Participants of the session can expect to:
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Learn something new or surprising about disability history and the need for disability rights.
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Gain insight into the experiences people with disabilities have faced over time, and where new leaders are taking the movement.
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Learn more about the idea of advancing social justice movements—racial equity, income equality, the rights of women or LGBTQ+ folks, the environment—and the inclusion and advancement the rights of people with disabilities. We are all connected, interconnected.
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Nakia J. Green
Nakia J. Green, a Social Entrepreneur is a specialist and facilitator in leadership development, organizational development, diversity, equity and inclusion, and change management. She has an extensive and successful background in corporate training, sales development, and process and strategy design with US market leaders. Ms. Green holds several degrees including a Master of Divinity from Howard University, Washington D.C., M.A. in Leadership from Benedictine University, Lisle, Illinois; B.A. Corporate Communications, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, Illinois; Executive Strategic Diversity and Inclusion Management Certification, Georgetown University, Washington D.C.; and from the American Management Association: Myers-Briggs Type Indicator Certification.
Ms. Green is the principal consultant for Nakia J Consulting Inc., a firm with specialized capabilities in leadership and organizational development and diversity, equity and inclusion. She sees coaching as an opportunity to help leaders drive organizational impact through self-discovery, confidence, and awareness. As a Social Impact Entrepreneur, she is also the founder of Culture Solutions and Culture Solutions in Action, for-profit and not-for-profit organizations designed to decrease unemployment and underemployment amongst people of color and people with disabilities. She is a 2019 Fellow for the ADA 25 Advancing Leadership Institute in Chicago, supported by the MacArthur Foundation. A native of the west side of Chicago, Nakia has always served her community. She has been a mentor for Sisters for Higher Education, and functioned as a community organizer on behalf of a young adult’s community-organizing group, PACT—Public Action for Change Today.
Emily Blum
Emily Blum is Executive Director of ADA 25 Advancing Leadership, a Chicago-based nonprofit that develops and connects leaders with disabilities.
A seasoned nonprofit leader, she has more than 20 years’ experience bringing stakeholders together to create and implement effective communications strategies around complex social and political issues. Prior to joining ADA 25 Advancing Leadership, Emily held senior positions at some of Chicago’s leading nonprofits, including Metropolitan Planning Council (MPC), Chicago Humanities Festival (CHF) and Heartland Alliance. At all three organizations, she drove branding and strategic messaging campaigns that created new kinds of conversations with a wide variety of audiences.
Prior to this, she worked with a number of boutique marketing/communications firms, including Valerie Denney Communications, where she served as a consultant for a wide range of clients, including the Joyce Foundation, Chicago Public Schools, Citizens Utility Board and dozens of members of Congress.
As a woman who experiences a disability, leading ADA 25 Advancing Leadership is both personal and professional. Emily is an ADA 25 Advancing Leadership Member (class of 2018), and that experience gave her additional tools to use her voice on behalf of those who experience disabilities.
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Ms Catherine Childers
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Mr. Josh "Bishop" Parker
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Ms. Cheryl Lloyd
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Ms. Sonja Lassister
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) Subcommittee
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Ms. Angel Barnhill, Chair
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Dr. Nicci Dowd
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Ms. Christine Germeyer
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Ms. Amanda Forry Fino
Live Zoom Meeting
April 16, Noon - 2:30 PM
This conversation will also be streamed live on the Virginia Board for People with Disabilities' Facebook page. ASL interpreters and captioning will be available during the event.
facebook.com/vaboard