The NW Facts Newspaper - NWFacts.com
When Diversity Matters Most. The Strength Lies In Differences, Not In Similarities
Moral Mondays at Seattle University
The BlackLivesMatter Initiative at Seattle University hosts a campus visit by Lezley McSpadden,
the mother of Michael Brown.
This public event will be Monday, October 17, 2016 7:00 PM—9:00 PM
Campion Ballroom , Campion Tower
914 E. Jefferson Street
Seattle, WA 98122
Moderator: Vivian Philips
For more information and tickets, visit the Eventbrite page
The Winters Group Releases Survey Findings on Race & Trauma in the Workplace
The Winters Group, a global diversity and inclusion consulting firm, today announced the findings from its survey on Race & Workplace Trauma During the Age of #BlackLivesMatter. The goal of the survey was to explore if, and how employees have been impacted by the disproportionate number of killings of black men and women by police, and the implications for the workplace.
During the summer of 2016, following the murders of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile, The Winters Group hosted a series of Virtual Learning Labs that examined race-based trauma, and provided leaders, allies, and coping employees with strategies for creating spaces for authentic dialogue and engaging in self-care. As part of the Race & Trauma series, attendees were also invited to participate in a survey that gauged their reactions to, and perspectives towards race relations, the recent police shootings, and the impact these tragedies have in their work environments. Four hundred (400) respondents completed the survey.
“For years, race has been diversity work’s ‘four letter word.’ Leaders and practitioners have avoided dialogue around race because its seen as taboo and difficult to talk about in the workplace,” said Mary-Frances Winters, Winters Group CEO and Founder. “We can no longer afford to avoid these difficult conversations. Organizations do not exist within vacuums, and we can only begin to tackle these issues if we talk about them. Our learning labs and this survey are a means to get the conversation started.”
Findings from the survey suggest some commonalities and distinct differences across races. For example, Whites and Blacks who participated in the survey shared similar perceptions towards the state of race relations. Nearly ½ of all Black and White respondents believe race relations are getting worse. Alternatively, survey responses indicate disparities in how Blacks and Whites experience race and feel understood in the workplace. Fifty-three percent (53%) of Blacks believe their co-workers have little to no understanding of their feelings around recent events. Whereas, 75% of Whites believe they somewhat or fully understand their coworkers’ feelings.
Northwestern Mutual Continues its Commitment to Diversity by Supporting The 2016 National Black MBA Association Conference and Expo
Company welcomes ESPN commentator and former NFL MVP, Desmond Howard, to speak at conference
Northwestern Mutual continues its ongoing commitment to growing educational, professional and financial opportunities for African Americans with its sponsorship of the 2016 National Black MBA Association, Inc. (NBMBAA) Conference and Expo, October 11-15, in New Orleans, La.
This year the company will host a “meet the experts” session on Thursday, October 13, featuring Desmond Howard, ESPN College GameDay Analyst and College Football Hall of Famer, and moderated by Kimberley Goode, vice president of communications and corporate affairs for Northwestern Mutual. Howard and Goode will discuss themes such as sustainability through career transformation, differentiation in a competitive marketplace, innovation in the workplace and leadership styles.
According to proprietary research* conducted by Northwestern Mutual, African Americans are significantly more likely than the general population to see career success tied to financial success. However, 6 in 10 African Americans view their current employment as “just a job” and are looking for meaningful career opportunities in the near future. Northwestern Mutual hopes to connect qualified African American professionals with viable career opportunities through organizations like NBMBAA.
“We want to help create brighter futures for African Americans, both professionally and financially,” said Raymone Jackson, director of diversity and inclusion for Northwestern Mutual. “People want to build careers with us because we believe in fostering a culture of inclusion and respect, powered by diversity. Our differences are our competitive advantage, and this allows us to attract the best talent and be the best in our industry.”
The recruitment of talented and diverse job candidates is vital to Northwestern Mutual and the company partners with associations such as NBMBAA that focus specifically on disciplines that are ideal for careers in the financial industry. In addition to being a long-time sponsor of NBMBAA, the company supports a variety of programs and organizations that help career growth, networking and educational opportunities for African Americans, including National Association of Black Accountants, Harlem Fine Arts Show and recruiting at diverse colleges across the nation.
*Survey Methodology
Harris Poll conducted over 4,300 interviews in June 2015. The interviews were completed among U.S. adults age 18+ and included members of the general population.
About NBMBAA
The idea for the National Black MBA Association, Inc. (NBMBAA) was conceived in 1970 and for early members – in many cases Blacks coming into the corporate sector, largely for the first time – it was a way to share experiences and insights to help make a difficult journey easier. By nurturing these early professionals, the organization helped early members navigate and, ultimately, succeed in an unfamiliar and frequently hostile environment. And it has been those professionals who have risen up and reached back to bring up the next generation of Black business professionals, not just mentoring them but also growing the ranks. This has carried through the decades as the members who have followed found the same sense of connection and camaraderie among their colleagues, and have continued to reach back and uplift new generations.
About Northwestern Mutual
Northwestern Mutual has been helping families and businesses achieve financial security for nearly 160 years. Our financial representatives build relationships with clients through a distinctive planning approach that integrates risk management with wealth accumulation, preservation and distribution. With $238.5 billion in assets, $27.9 billion in revenues and more than $1.6 trillion worth of life insurance protection in force, Northwestern Mutual delivers financial security to more than 4.4 million people who rely on us for insurance and investment solutions, including life, disability income and long-term care insurance; annuities; trust services; mutual funds; and investment advisory products and services. Northwestern Mutual ranks 100 on the 2016 FORTUNE 500, and is recognized by FORTUNE as one of the “World’s Most Admired” life insurance companies in 2016.
Northwestern Mutual is the marketing name for The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company, Milwaukee, WI, and its subsidiaries. Northwestern Mutual and its subsidiaries offer a comprehensive approach to financial security solutions including: life insurance, long-term care insurance, disability income insurance, annuities, life insurance with long-term care benefits, investment products, and advisory products and services. Subsidiaries include Northwestern Mutual Investment Services, LLC (NMIS), broker-dealer, registered investment adviser, member FINRA and SIPC; the Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Company (NMWMC), federal savings bank; and Northwestern Long Term Care Insurance Company (NLTC).
Ernestine Anderson was a legendary American jazz and blues singer who grew up in Seattle’s Central District and graduated from Garfield High School. Ms. Anderson’s prolific singing career spanned more than five decades and included more than 30 albums. She was a four-time Grammy nominee and performed at Carnegie Hall and around the world. In short, her creative talents and musical accomplishments helped shape the Seattle music scene.
That’s why, at the request of the Historic Central Area Arts & Cultural District and the Mayor’s office, SDOT has installed honorary street name signs for Ernestine Anderson along S Jackson St between 20th Ave South and 23rd Ave South.
The honorary signs were installed adjacent to Ernestine Anderson Place, which provides housing and serves homeless and low-income seniors, and was built in 2012.
Ms. Anderson’s family, including her daughter, attended the sign ceremony.
Honorary signs do not change the legal street name or addresses. They differ from regular street signs in color – they are brown. In Seattle, brown street name signs are used for honorary street name signs, Parks Department roads, and Olmsted boulevards.
For more information about street name signs please visit www.seattle.gov/transportation/new_streetsigns.htm.
A Raisin in the Sun
by Lorraine Hansberry
directed by Timothy McCuen Piggee
in the Bagley Wright Theatre
In Lorraine Hansberry’s classic, which inspired Seattle Rep’s recent production of Clybourne Park, African American Lena Younger lives with her extended family in a cramped apartment on Chicago’s South Side. On their unknowing behalf, she places a down payment on a home in Clybourne Park—an affordable white neighborhood. Racial intolerance attempts to derail the family’s dreams in this 1959 masterpiece, which “changed American theater forever” (New York Times) and continues to resonate with generation after generation.
Running time is approximately three hours with two intermissions.
Note: There will be explicit language throughout this production.
A Raisin In The Sun
by Lorraine Hansberry
directed by Timothy McCuen Piggee
Lorraine Hansberry’s classic, which inspired Seattle Rep’s recent production of Clybourne Park, tells the story of African American Lena Younger who lives with her extended family in a cramped apartment on Chicago’s South Side. On their unknowing behalf, Lena places a down payment on a home in Clybourne Park-an affordable white neighborhood. Racial intolerance attempts to derail the family’s dreams in this 1959 masterpiece, which “changed American theater forever” (The New York Times) and continues to resonate generation after generation.
September 30-October 30, 2016
Performance times: Wednesday-Sunday and select Tuesdays at 7:30 p.m.
Select Saturday, Sunday, and Wednesday matinees at 2:00 p.m. (no matinees during previews)
Opening Night: Wednesday, October 5 at 7:30 p.m.
Seattle Repertory Theatre’s Bagley Wright Theatre, located at Seattle Center at the corner of Second Ave. and Mercer St., Seattle, Washington
Facebook.com/SeattleRep
Twitter.com/SeattleRep
Instagram.com/SeattleRep
#SeattleRep #RaisinAtTheRep
**OPENING DATE ANNOUNCEMENT**
Award Winning/Critically Acclaimed Sundance Documentary
MAYA ANGELOU: AND STILL I RISE
A Film by Bob Hercules and Rita Coburn Whack
The First Documentary About the Incomparable Maya Angelou
Opens theatrically in New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco October 14
MAYA ANGELOU: AND STILL I RISE is the first film about the incomparable Dr. Maya Angelou. Directors Bob Hercules and Rita Coburn Whack present her incredible journey, shedding light on the untold aspects of her life with remarkable unmatched access. The film is told through never before seen home movies, footage, archival photos and videos and through Dr. Angelou’s narration. This intimate and personal portrait of Dr. Maya Angelou’s life is a touching and moving tribute to her legacy.
Distinctly referred to as “a redwood tree, with deep roots in American culture,” Dr. Maya Angelou gave people the freedom to think about their history in a way they never had before. Dr. Angelou’s was a prolific life; as a singer, dancer, activist, poet, and writer she inspired generations with lyrical modern African-American thought that pushed boundaries.
The film features a remarkable series of interviews with friends and family including President Bill Clinton, Oprah Winfrey, Common, Alfre Woodard, Cicely Tyson, Quincy Jones, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, John Singleton and Dr. Angelou’s son, Guy Johnson.
MAYA ANGELOU: AND STILL I RISE premiered to critical acclaim at the 2016 Sundance Film Festival. It won the Audience Award at AFI Docs and was featured at notable fests worldwide including Full Frame, Sheffield, Boulder Film Fest, and Riverrun. The film is currently playing in Chicago to sold out audiences with this nationwide roll out following. It will open exclusively in Los Angeles, New York, and San Francisco on October 14.
Donors, recipients and families share their stories of life.
Organ donation provides others with a second chance at life and renewed health, enabling them to live rich and full lives. It truly is the Gift of Life. August is National Minority Donor Awareness Month, an initiative focused on bringing attention to the great need for organ donors and organ transplants among ethnic minorities, and highlighting the impact of this amazing gift.
Families, donors and recipients from the South Sound come together this month to share their stories and raise awareness of the special need of minorities for donation. Currently, ethnic minorities are in desperate need of more organ, eye, and tissue donors. They represent over 56 percent of the national organ transplant waiting list, but make up only about 30 percent of actual donors.
Here are their stories:
Donor Mom- Heather LaGasa:
Heather’s daughter, Jade, became a donor in 2015.
Jade, of Hispanic and Thai descent, was a loving, tender-hearted, sweet girl. At 18 years old, she had her whole life in front of her. Her parents were devastated when Jade completed suicide on April 27, 2015. For her mom, Heather, the fact that Jade could donate tissue and corneas meant her legacy would live on through others. “It has meant the world to us, knowing that our daughter saved a person,” said Heather.
Recipient- Antonette Paulette:
Received liver transplant in 2000.
Antonette Paulette, a young Hispanic woman from Tacoma, was just 14 years old and beginning high school when she began to notice something was wrong. Healthy her entire life, her energy suddenly, and rapidly declined. Diagnosed with an autoimmune disorder, she was told a liver transplant was her only chance for survival. “I couldn’t understand why this was happening to me,” she said. “I was almost at the end of my life when they told me they found a liver. I will never be able to thank the person who chose to be a donor enough.” Today she lives an active, healthy life. A mother of two, she hopes to become an inspirational speaker and share her story to educate others about the powerful impact of organ, eye, and tissue donation.
Living Donor- Shanae Bezusko:
Donated Kidney to her Father in 2006.
Shanae, an African American from Tacoma, gave the gift of life to her father with her kidney donation. This gift gave him seven more healthy years of life, and Shanae more memories with the man she treasured most. Shanae begin planning for her kidney donation at age 10. “Dad’s life was always full of doctor’s appointments, he was unable to work, and he still managed to be an amazing primary caregiver to me,” says Shanae. As soon as her dad received her kidney, he was able to live without dialysis, walk and talk, and not be hooked up to tubes. “I was able to give him a quality of life, and additional years he would not have had,” said Shanae.
According to Kevin O’Connor, LifeCenter Northwest President & CEO, “We are committed to helping every single man, woman, and child in need, in every community, who can benefit from the gift of life. It is critically important to ensure that we reach out to minority communities, and listen to them, learn from them, and educate them on the benefits of organ and tissue donation and transplantation.”
LifeCenter Northwest works diligently every day to help bring the Gift of Life to those in need. In 2015, LCNW facilitated organ recovery from 200 generous organ donors, which resulted in 640 life-saving organ transplants. In addition, the organization recovered tissue from 524 individuals whose gifts can benefit up to 5,000 people with donations such as skin to treat burn patients, heart valves for valve replacement, and bone grafts for patients in need.
LifeCenter Northwest is a non-profit organ procurement and tissue recovery organization that serves communities throughout Alaska, Montana, North Idaho and Washington. Working collaboratively with over 200 hospitals, they cover the largest geographic area of all the 58 federally designated organ procurement organizations. Register to become a donor today at http://www.lcnw.org.
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Nationally recognized educator Dr. Wanda Billingsly has been tapped to lead First Place School, a Seattle nonprofit operating an early learning center, a private primary school, and a housing program in the Central District. Billingsly took the helm April 11, 2016 as interim director and was confirmed as
Chief Executive Officer/Executive Director by the First Place Board of Directors on Tuesday, July 12th. “I’m delighted to join the First Place Family,” said Billingsly. “Our faculty, staff, board, and families are dedicated to delivering rigorous, culturally responsive education and ‘total’ child preparation.
We’re united in our commitment to student success and at the end of the day, that’s what matters most.” During her 30-year career, Billingsly has served as a classroom teacher, principal, district administrator, college lecturer, and associate college dean. She was recognized as a Distinguished P-12 Educator assist- ing the UW College of Education in its reform efforts to better train future teachers. Billingsly served 18 years in Renton School District where she excelled as a gap-closing principal in a high-needs school. Prior to joining First Place, Dr. Billingsly held senior administrative posts in Tukwila Public Schools, Federal Way Public Schools, and Seattle Public Schools. In each role, she focused on equitably meeting the needs of students who struggle in traditional classroom settings, including low-income students of all races, and students of color. Billingsly holds a Washington State Superintendent Certification, a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from City University in Seattle, a Master’s in Education from Heritage University in Toppenish, and a Bachelor of Arts in Education from Seattle University. As a highly sought speaker both locally and nationally, she has been featured in the Renton Reporter, King County Journal, and Colors NW Magazine. Since 2010, Billingsly also has served as the African American Community representative to the Washington State Educational Opportunity Gap Oversight and Accountability Committee formed by the Legislature in 2009.
Summer Opportunity Fund Awards $75,000 to Five Community Projects Focused on Young Men of Color
07/11/2016 by Sam Read
Summer Opportunity FundThe City of Seattle has announced the awards for the Summer Opportunity Fund, a $75,000 fund created to support community-based projects that address and help reduce violence against young adults. The fund was open to community organizations, groups, and businesses to apply.
To be considered, projects needed to focus on education, employment, justice, violence prevention, health, or a combination of these topics. The City also sought community-based ideas and projects that leveraged other resources such as community partnerships, in-kind donations, and existing resources and services.
The awarded organizations and projects are:
$15,000 to 180 Program to provide peer training and leadership development for young men of color focused on healing circles, peacemaking, and a UW lecture and campus tour, along with mentoring, job placement and social services connections.
$14,985 to Multi-Communities for the Men’s Circle Journey Project, a facilitated support group for East African and African American men to foster and enhance emotional intelligence, increase self-esteem and respect, provide a safe place to talk, learn and heal, and foster authenticity in actions.
$14,995 to Somali Family Task Force for a three-month program designed to promote and empower 18-24-year-old East African young men’s healthy development and transition through emerging adulthood by providing mentoring/mentorship, educational preparedness, and job readiness skills building.
$15,000 to Guiding Academic Motivation for Excellence for a leadership development, empowerment, and community awareness project for 15 East African and African American males to include a walk-a-thon/community march, a community education rally and cookout, and a youth talent and fashion show produced by the participants.
$15,000 to Brothers United in Leadership Development to host BUILD the Hood events that highlight culture, healthy lifestyles, and environmental and social activities, and a resource fair for young black men and their families; in addition to a barbershop series to bring issues around education, justice, employment, and health to cultivate inter-generational relationships.
All projects will begin this summer and will be completed this fall. The Summer Opportunity Fund is funded by the Seattle Human Services Department and administered by Seattle Department of Neighborhoods.