Leadership Austin is partnering with the LBJ Foundation, Sanders/Wingo, the Central Texas Collective for Racial Equity and 20+ other organizations in a six part series – The Path to Racial Equity. This series of six virtual programs will draw on experts who will examine the issues surrounding racial inequity in Austin and offer simple, practical steps each of us can take to be part of the solution. We invite you to participate in the live, taped or community conversations throughout the series – please join us!
SESSION 1: EDUCATION AND UNDERSTANDING
Watch the Video / 3 Steps to Consider Taking
Description: How can we educate ourselves to better understand and be conscious of the everyday marginalization and inequity experienced by people of color? Guest: Glenn E. Singleton, Founder and President of Courageous Conversation / Moderator: Mark K. Updegrove, President & CEO, LBJ Foundation
SESSION 2: HOW DID WE GET HERE?
Watch the Video / 3 Steps to Consider Taking / Reading List to Consider
Description: What is the historical context for the issues of race our country currently faces? What is at the root of the racial injustice that contradicts our nation’s ideals & continues to hold us back from our promise? Guest: Dr. Peniel Joseph, Professor of Public Affairs and Founder of the Center for the Study of Race and Democracy, LBJ School of Public Affairs, The University of Texas at Austin / Moderator: Leslie Wingo, President & CEO of Sanders\Wingo
SESSION 3: ORGANIZATIONAL DIVERSIFICATION, INCLUSION & ADVANCEMENT
Description: How can we do better in recruiting and developing people of color—at every level—in the organizations we represent? What steps can we take to ensure that they feel included and that their voices are heard? What can we do to break down barriers in organizational advancement? Guest: Kelli Mason, Partner at Notley Tide / Moderator: Marjorie Clifton, Principal at Clifton Consulting LLC
SESSION 4: ECONOMIC JUSTICE
Description: What does economic inequality look like for people of color—and what policies have deepened the racial wealth gap? How can we bridge the gap and create long-term economic opportunity? Guest: Tam Hawkins, President & CEO of the Greater Austin Black Chamber of Commerce / Moderator: Renee LaFair, Regional Director of the Anti-Defamation League in Austin, Texas
SESSION 5: A VIEW FROM THE NEXT GENERATION
TO BE ANNOUNCED
SESSION 6: POLITICAL INFLUENCE AND INVOLVEMENT
Description: How can we best wield our individual and collective political influence toward meaningful systemic change? How can we ensure that political candidates and elected officials promote and pursue a racial equity agenda? Guest: Chas Moore, Founder of the Austin Justice Coalition / Moderator: Dr. Victoria DeFrancesco Soto, Assistant Dean for Civic Engagement and a Lecturer at the LBJ School of Public Affairs, The University of Texas at Austin