Toward One Wisconsin 2020
A Conference on Building Communities of Equity and Opportunity
November 11-13, 2020
The 2020 Toward One Wisconsin Conference Committee has heeded the call from participants in the 2019 Toward One Wisconsin conference to immediately begin planning for 2020 in Green Bay. The community stepped forward enthusiastically to launch it with us.
Then we had to reckon as a state and nation with the repeated, horrific violence of racism, while a pandemic forced us to see racism as a public health crisis. It also forced us to delay the conference. But we cannot delay the work.
With a great sense of urgency, we invite you to join a growing and powerful network that reaches across sectors to every corner of the state to take this challenge head on. We are mining the art and potential of gathering through technology instead of in person, excited by the experts that can be brought together, for the interactive exchanges that can happen.
Click here to watch a quick video that highlights what T1W is all about.
2020 Conference Schedules
2020 Conference Schedule
All schedules are still subject to change.
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Day One |
November 11, 2020 |
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12:00-4:30 p.m. |
Racism is a Public Health Issue: This event is a part of the Healthiest State Initiative, facilitated by the UW-Madison Population Health Institute, Mobilizing Action Toward Community Health (MATCH) Group |
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Day Two |
November 12, 2020 |
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8:30-10:15 a.m. |
Welcome
LEAN ON ME Introduction: Alex Zacarias, Teaching Artist, Filmmaker, Community Activist will be joining us to share with us his documentary, LEAN ON ME. LEAN ON ME is a social justice arts initiative by Bay Area Cultural and Arts Alliance’s (BACAA) United Arts sub-committee. The initiative encompasses the creation of a variety of visual and performing arts to raise critical consciousness on the Black Lives Matter movement, to promote social change and to build community in Green Bay, WI. The LEAN ON ME initiative was created to record history, generate awareness and be a catalyst to bringing together community members to take action around this social issue. As we currently face two deadly viruses, Covid-19 and racism, this initiative is also a call-to-action to vote in the upcoming 2020 Election.
Panel Discussion: The World on Fire: How Has 2020 Changed The goal of the plenary panel is to frame key issues and themes for the conference from the perspective of four experts based on their experiences and professional expertise.
(IDEA) issues? What are key themes/issues in the IDEA space that we need to be pay attention to at the conference?
to IDEA topics, which may include, but are not limited to 1) Broad brush data to help us capture what is happening in regard to workforce, communities, education and health spaces; and 2) Gaps in our understanding and/or efforts to that addressing inequity.
engage conference attendees in addressing key issues. Panelists include:
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Moderator: Christine Munson, Director of Advising and Student Success, Northcentral Technical College |
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10:15-10:30 a.m. |
Break |
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10:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. |
Breakout Session – 12 Sessions Available |
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11:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m. |
Break/Exhibit Time/Poster Display-Group A/Chat Rooms |
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12:00-12:30 p.m. |
Break/Exhibit Time/Poster Display-Group B/Chat Rooms |
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12:30-1:30 p.m. |
Speaker- Hilary Ware, Vice President & Associate General Counsel, Netflix |
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1:30-1:45 p.m. |
Break/Exhibit Time/Chat Rooms |
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1:45-2:45 p.m. |
Breakout Session – 12 Sessions Available |
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2:45-3:00 p.m. |
Break/Exhibit Time/ Chat Rooms |
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3:00-4:00 p.m. |
CEO Action for Diversity and Inclusion Panel Discussion: This panel discussion will highlight the work being done by signatories of the CEO Action for Diversity and Inclusion in Northeast Wisconsin and beyond. With over 1,200 signatories, this coalition pledges to uphold four pillars: 1) We will continue to make our workplaces trusting places to have complex and sometimes difficult conversations about diversity and inclusion 2) We will implement and expand unconscious bias education 3) We will share best and unsuccessful practices and 4) We will create and share strategic inclusion and diversity plans with our board of directors. Attendees will walk away with a better understanding of why support from the top of an organization is critical, what signatories have done to live out the CEO pledge commitments, and how CEO’s are holding their leadership teams accountable for results. Panelists: Wilson Jones, CEO, Oshkosh Corporation Lori Malcolm, Chief Culture and Operations Officer, United Way Worldwide Chris Woleske, President & CEO, Bellin Health Moderator: Idalia Hill, Director ad PwC Leading Strategy and Operations for CEO Action for Diversity & Inclusion |
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4:00-4:15 p.m. |
Break |
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4:15-5:15 p.m. |
Virtual Reception |
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Day Three |
November 13, 2020 |
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9:00-10:30 a.m. |
Welcome Speaker- Nikole Hannah Jones, Award-winning investigative reporter, The New York Times Magazine, 1619 and the Legacy that Built a Nation: “The 1619 Project” was named for the year the first enslaved Africans arrived in America, the project features an ongoing series of essays and art on the relationship between slavery and everything from social infrastructure and segregation, to music and sugar—all by Black American authors, activists, journalists and more. |
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10:30-10:45 a.m. |
Break/Exhibit Time/Chat Rooms |
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10:45-11:45 a.m. |
Breakout Sessions – 12 Available |
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11:45 a.m.-12:15 p.m. |
Break/Exhibit Time/Poster Display-Group C/Chat Room |
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12:15 p.m.-12:45 p.m. |
Break/Exhibit Time/Poster Display-Group D/Chat Room |
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12:45 p.m.-1:45 p.m. |
Breakout Session – 12 Available |
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1:45- 2:00 p.m. |
Break/Exhibit Time/Chat Rooms |
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2:00-3:00 p.m. |
Next Steps and Closing Remarks |
Click here for a downloadable version.
2020 Sessions Schedule
| Date, Time |
Track | Session Title | Description | Speakers | |
| Wed, Nov 11 12:00 PM- 4:30 PM |
PreCon | Racism is a Public Health Issue | This event is a part of the Healthiest State Initiative, facilitated by the UW-Madison Population Health Institute, Mobilizing Action Toward Community Health (MATCH) Group | TBA | |
| Date, Time |
Track | Session Number | Session Title | Description | Speakers |
| Thurs, Nov 12 10:30 AM- 12:30 PM |
Track I | 1 | Assessing Organizational Racism and Advocating for Anti-Racist Work Spaces -2 Hour Session | Creating and supporting teams with diverse skills, knowledge, and experiences is essential to developing vibrant workplaces where we value people and leverage their talents. Yet, workplaces persist where racism continues to disrupt employee engagement, belonging, collaboration, innovation and productivity. With time and intention, organizations, like individuals, can evolve to become anti-racist. In this session, we'll explore evaluative tools to determine how racism shows up in your organization. From decision-making and budgeting to accountability and power, you’ll have a chance to think about your work environment and learn ways to advocate for the change necessary to transform individuals, teams, and organizations. Attendees will be able to identify areas for growth with their own organization and leave prepared to develop strategic plans to move from their current state to an anti-racist, inclusive organization. | Deborah A Biddle, The People Company LLC, Founder and Chief Consultant |
| Thurs, Nov 12 10:30 AM- 11:30 AM |
Track I | 2 | Creating a Supportive and Inclusive Workplace with Mental Health Conditions during a Pandemic | The lesser known labor problem facing many employers during this pandemic is the reality of “quit threat” – the possibility of employees resigning or not returning to work due to COVID-19-related concerns. Fear, anxiety and legitimate medical issues have everybody in a “wait and see” mode, even as organizations scramble to solidify staffing plans. At the heart of these concerns is engagement with employees, specifically in the area of wellness. And we’re not talking about Fit Bits and walking programs – true wellness engagement in this pandemic age begins with recognizing the mental health toll and developing a plan of action to set employees’ minds at ease. Please join us for a discussion on how to address your employees’ mental health concerns while meeting the operational and staffing needs of the organization. Specifically, we'll discuss: accommodating employees with mental health conditions; addressing staff anxiety and fear; developing special pandemic-related wellness programming; and equipping managers to identify mental health concerns and support employees. | Bret McKitrick, JD, USA Insurance Services, SVP, Senior Compliance and Workplace Consultant |
| Thurs, Nov 12 10:30 AM- 11:30 AM |
Track I | 3 | Overcoming Barriers for Employing Those with Disabilities | Mallory will share strategies to collaborate with the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation and area Employment Service Agencies such as VaryAbility to recruit and retain individuals with disabilities. These recruitment strategies include job customization, temporary work experiences, job shadowing, and building relationships with Employment Service Agencies. Whether you are a manager, HR representative, or coworker, you will learn strategies to support these employees by using accommodations, job aides, and collaborating with a job coach. Attendees will also have a better understanding of the role of an employment consultant and job coach. | Mallory Cornelius, VaryAbility, President/Employment Consultant |
| Thurs, Nov 12 1:45 PM- 2:45 PM |
Track I | 4 | Got Equity? | Equal opportunity and inclusive practices are common components of strategic plans. What is often lacking is a focus on equity. The difference is based on the premise of equity vs. equality. Equal opportunity and inclusion statements focus on enhancing equality of opportunity, recruiting minorities and engaging in other non-discriminatory practices. Adopting an equity approach means organizations are working to value the worth of their workforce and customer base. Thus, removing barriers to success and impacting the overall welfare of everyone involved. Diversity and equity efforts are important because they are fundamental to driving quality and excellence on campus. Employees at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College and The Privilege Institute will share examples of how they have created and/or facilitated holistic equity approaches that could be adopted by other organizations. | Mohammed I.T. Bey, Northeast Wisconsin Technical College, Director, Diversity & Inclusion; Vickie Lock, Northeast Wisconsin Technical College, Dean, Student Success; Jenni Oliver, The Privilege Institute, Director, Institute Operations and Social Equity Advancement |
| Thurs, Nov 12 1:45 PM- 2:45 PM |
Track I | 5 | COVERING | It has now been many years since the diversity and inclusion revolution swept the corporate world. Today, many Fortune 500 companies have an impressive array of programs focused on the needs of a diverse workforce. Yet reports suggest that full inclusion remains elusive. Why? One potential answer is that these initiatives may not have lived up to the core ideal of inclusion, which is to allow individuals to bring their authentic selves to work. Most inclusion efforts have not explicitly and rigorously addressed the pressure to conform that prevents individuals from realizing that ideal, and the resultant tendency to cover. Learn a behavioral model that leaders can use to mitigate the occurrence and impact of covering – reflect, diagnose, analyze, initiate. Apply these mitigation tactics and strategies to increase cultural dexterity across global, generational and gender-based differences. | Suri Surinder, CTR Factor, Inc., CEO |
| Thurs, Nov 12 1:45 PM- 2:45 PM |
Track I | 6 | TBA | ||
| Fri, Nov 13 10:45 AM- 11:45 AM |
Track I | 7 | Using Apprenticeship Programs to Train Inmates | Wisconsin’s Apprenticeship programming is a staple training method in many industries. Innovative thinking and meeting employer demands is essential to create the workforce needed. Department of Workforce Development and Department of Corrections are partnering to provide training in essential occupational and pre-apprenticeship skills for the state’s inmate population. The session will spotlight innovative efforts and success stories in preparing the incarcerated for entry into the workforce. | Joshua Johnson, WI Department of Workforce Development, Director Bureau of Apprenticeship Standards; Liz Pusch, WI Department of Workforce Development, Section Chief Bureau of Apprenticeship Standards Moderator: Becky Kikkert, WI Department of Workforce Development, Office of Special Initiatives, Director |
| Fri, Nov 13 10:45 AM- 11:45 AM |
Track I | 8 | Allyship in the Workplace | The focus of this session is to learn about allyship and how we all can grow as allies by educating on how we can best use our voices and influence for marginalized groups. We will explore how allyship shows up in the workplace and how you can take steps to become an ally or improve your allyship to create real change in your organization. | Kate Wesolowski, Associated Bank, Senior Vice President - Talent Acquisition Manager; Callie Davis, Associated Bank, Diversity & Inclusion Talent Specialist |
| Fri, Nov 13 10:45 AM- 11:45 AM |
Track I | 9 | TBA | ||
| Fri, Nov 13 12:45 PM- 1:45 PM |
Track I | 10 | Innovative Services Offered by DWD Division of Employment and Training Office of Veteran Services | The Office of Veterans Services provides services design to guide veterans with barriers to employment into civilian employment with an income that provides a family sustainable wage. | Gary M. Meyer, DWD DET, Office of Veterans Services; Al Garcia, DWD DET, Office of Veterans Services, Southern Region Supervisor, Office of Veterans Services; Jessica Maple, DWD DET Office of Veteran Service, Northern Region Supervisor |
| Fri, Nov 13 12:45 PM- 1:45 PM |
Track I | 11 | TBA | ||
| Fri, Nov 13 12:45 PM- 1:45 PM |
Track I | 12 | Diversity & Inclusion: How to achieve both in your workforce | Not sure where to start with diversifying your workforce? Got the diversity part down, but struggling to create inclusion within the diverse workforce? Then this session is for you! Practical tips, strategies, and real life examples will be given from the perspective of an employment specialist and a company that exemplifies true inclusion in the workforce. | Redebra Peters, ASPIRO, Inc., Career Consultant/Vocational Specialist; Jon Ledvina, Packer Fastener, Business Liaison |
| Date, Time |
Track | Session Title | Description | Speakers | |
| Thurs, Nov 12 10:30 AM- 11:30 AM |
Track II | 13 | How Faith Communities Help Us Heal from Acts of Hate, Discrimination and Oppression | Individuals across Wisconsin are suffering daily from acts of discrimination, hate, and oppression--tragically, even violence. When families and individuals suffer, we are all losers and our communities suffer from marginalization, trivialization and normalization of such behavior and its consequences. It affects educational attainment, economic stability, mental wellness, and even community reputation. If there is anything we have learned in recent years, prayer alone in the face of tragedy is not sufficient to change bad behavior and policy. This session will address why people get used to suffering via systemic oppression and how to overcome habituation; how faith communities open us up or close us off to experiences and suffering of others and ourselves; and how faith communities help build stronger social fabric to prevent these things in the future. This session will also explore multiple ways that faith communities encourage healing and catalyze action on the front lines of hatred and discrimination. | Rev. Tory Topjian, Milwaukee Metropolitan Community Church, Senior Minister; Pardeep Kaleka, Interfaith Conference of Greater Milwaukee, Executive Director; Rev. Bridget Daniels, Union Congregational United Church of Christ, Senior Minister; Rev. Rachel Knoke, Trinity Lutheran Green Bay, Senior Minister |
| Thurs, Nov 12 10:30 AM- 11:30 AM |
Track II | 14 | Baraboo Gathers, Baraboo Talks, Baraboo Acts | After a photo of Baraboo High School Senior boys appearing to give the Nazi salute went viral in the fall of 2018 community, civic, business and faith members of the community gathered to find ways to heal from this painful event. After an initial series of community discussions to process and heal, it became clear that many residents do not feel welcome and comfortable in Baraboo. Creating a welcoming community where all voices are heard is an ongoing process and Baraboo is just beginning to address these issues. The Baraboo Acts Coalition was formed to ensure that the Baraboo Community will continue to collaborate with current and new partners so that all voices are at the table to inform our next steps. All communities in Wisconsin are dealing with the same issues that have come to the forefront in Baraboo. Don’t wait until something explosive happens in your community. This panel will share insights and actions you can bring to your own community. | Alex Paulson, Baraboo Acts Coalition and Baraboo School District, Co-Chair of the Baraboo Acts Coalition; Marcy Huffaker, Baraboo Acts Coalition, Co-Chair of the Baraboo Acts Coalition; Dr. Lori Mueller, Baraboo School District, District Administrator; Alene Bolin, Sauk County, Sauk County Administrator; Mike Palm, City of Baraboo, Mayor; Nanci Caflisch, Baraboo Chamber of Commerce, Former President of the Chamber of Commerce; Susana Guerrero Martinez, Baraboo High School, Student |
| Thurs, Nov 12 10:30 AM- 11:30 AM |
Track II | 15 | LEAN ON ME | TBA | |
| Thurs, Nov 12 1:45 PM- 2:45 PM |
Track II | 16 | Waking Up White Regional Community Learning Collaborative | This Collaborative, which involves hundreds of people, is a multi-year effort to engage the La Crosse region in courageous conversations about race. There are three main components of the Collaborative: the Creating a Healthier Multicultural Community Project, the Regional Read of Debby Irving’s book, “Waking Up White” and holding the White Privilege Symposium that will be coming to La Crosse on December 3-4, 2021. | Patrick Lunney, Creating a Healthier Multicultural Community, Co-leader; Thomas Harris, University of Wisconsin La Crosse, Assistant Director, Office of Multicultural Student Services; Diana Diaz Grandos, Better Together in LaCrosse County, Project Evaluator |
| Thurs, Nov 12 1:45 PM- 2:45 PM |
Track II | 17 | The Voices of ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) Individuals in Brown County | A flourishing community starts with healthy, secure individuals and families. How different would Wisconsin be if every household earned enough to not just survive, but thrive? What if individuals and families could not only meet their basic needs, but also save for emergencies and their future? For decades, our understanding of what it means to struggle in our communities, both in Wisconsin and throughout the nation, has been limited due to the lack of high-quality research-based information that goes beyond traditional measures like Federal Poverty Level data. The 2016, 2018, and 2020 Wisconsin ALICE Reports shed much needed light on the challenges of working individuals and families. In 2018, Brown County United Way set a community goal: 10,000 individuals on the path to stability in 10 years. This goal is based upon the 2018 ALICE Report for Wisconsin which found that an estimated 1 in 3 households in Brown County live below a basic cost of living. The results of our first Voices of ALICE focus group will be shared. | Robyn Davis, Brown County United Day, President and CEO; Sarah Inman, Brown County United Way, Vice President of Community Investment; Said Hassan, Brown County United Way, Research and Evaluation Manager; Jill Sobieck, Brown County United Way, Impact Initiatives and Outreach Manager |
| Thurs, Nov 12 1:45 PM- 2:45 PM |
Track II | 18 | The Racial Wealth Gap: Historical Roots and Systemic Barriers | Wealth is a source of household financial stability that buffers against short-term financial shocks; supports long-term financial security; and provides a foundation for intergenerational social mobility. All families desire and deserve the benefits wealth can provide, but a family’s demographic characteristics are strong predictors of its income and wealth. The Federal Reserve’s Survey of Consumer Finances quantifies wealth disparities and trends along demographic dimensions. It shows that a sizable and persistent wealth gap exists between white families and their Black or Hispanic peers. These gaps are the result of intentional policies of asset exclusion in the past coupled with systemic reinforcement of inequities in the present. Until racial equity in financial outcomes can be achieved, household financial stability is not equally attainable by all families. Attendees will gain a clear understanding of the racial and ethnic disparities in wealth accumulation which highlights populations in need of financial intervention and support. Attendees will also come away from the session with the ability to articulate basic facts and clear arguments about why issues of diversity and inclusion matter for our communities and that support informed policy discussions. | Lowell Ricketts, Center for Household Financial Stability, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, Lead Analyst |
| Fri, Nov 13 10:45 AM- 11:45 AM |
Track II | 19 | A Plan for Reducing Mass Incarceration in Wisconsin | Despite long competing economic structures and political forces that have encouraged mass incarceration, a prison abolition movement is gaining traction in Wisconsin. This presentation sets a baseline for understanding causes of today’s prison epidemic (incarceration as punishment; discrimination in arrests, convictions and sentencing; dysfunctional probation system; etc.) towards an actionable plan to significantly reduce the prison population. Alternative courts; sentence guideline reforms; work release programs; probation reform; new approaches to policing; and the closing of some existing prisons are part of the solution. A panel of criminal justice professionals and prison exonerees share perspectives and recommendations based on lived experience. Attendees will come away from the presentation will a deeper understanding of the causes and consequences of Wisconsin’s incarceration epidemic. They will also learn basic facts about our criminal justice system and how it prejudices arrests, convictions and incarceration of black men (among others). Attendees will also gain information about the prison abolition movement—its origins, its effects, and how to engage with the movement to effect change. | John A. Birdsall, Birdsall Obear & Associates SC, Attorney; Keith Findley, University of Wisconsin Madison Law School, Professor, Co-Director of The Innocence Project; Jarrett Adams, Attorney, Exoneree; Michael O'Hear, Marquette Law School, Professor; Joel Brennan, Wisconsin Department of the Administration, Secretary |
| Fri, Nov 13 10:45 AM- 11:45 AM |
Track II | 20 | Participatory Philanthropy: Case Study and Model for Inclusive Community Building | In this workshop, the NextGen Participatory Philanthropy Model that brings together people of different economic means who often don't see themselves as change agents or philanthropists can be empowered as positive influencers in their communities. The NextGen Participatory Philanthropy Model embodies and furthers IDEA by helping members be aware of their community's issues, offers a method for acting on those issues, and by advancing the conversation between groups that do not often converse with each other. The Giving Circle model offers a first-hand experience of transforming a group's talent, time, and treasure into real change. Attendees will leave this session with a roadmap for how they can replicate this approach in their communities. The model supports diversity, equity, and inclusion practices in the recruitment, selection of participants, and in the philanthropic process itself. | Kelvin Alfaro, Campus Compact for Wisconsin, Director |
| Fri, Nov 13 10:45 AM- 11:45 AM |
Track II | 21 | The N!gga(er) Word: Is There a Method in Our Madness? | Who is allowed to say the N!igga(er) word? What do we do/say when N!gga(er) is said in our classrooms, playgrounds, practice fields, community centers and resident halls? Ignoring the N!gga(er) word is not an option anymore – You can hear N!gga(er) anywhere at anytime in the 21st century. This workshop looks at the history/impact of the N!gga(er). Participants are challenged to examine their personal and professional histories with N!gga(er), examine when and/or how they first heard N!gga(er) and most importantly, to explore what to do when encountered. | Eddie Moore Jr., PhD, The Privilege Institute; Marguerite W. Penick-Parks, PhD, University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, Professor |
| Fri, Nov 13 12:45 PM- 1:45 PM |
Track II | 22 | Breaking Down Barriers Through Storytelling | When a tragic incident of teen violence occurred in Wausau, it triggered a series of events that uncovered serious tensions in the community. The Wausau area has become more diverse, but real cultural and ethnic divisions exist, with deep roots that rarely were acknowledged, much less understood. The Toward One Wausau project was started by people who felt the community could do a better job helping all feel welcome and safe. Telling one’s own story and listening to the stories of others has proved to be a powerful way to begin difficult community conversations and pave the way for action. The mission of the Toward One Wausau project is to bring together community members from all walks of life to talk openly, listen earnestly, and act in unity in order to help make Wausau a safe, welcoming and attractive place for everyone. | Corina Norrbom, WIPPS, Health Policy Fellow; Gwen Taylor, Girl Scouts of the Northwestern Great Lakes, Program and Inclusion Director; Kayley McColley, One Wausau, Board Member |
| Fri, Nov 13 12:45 PM- 1:45 PM |
Track II | 23 | TBA | ||
| Fri, Nov 13 12:45 PM- 1:45 PM |
Track II | 24 | TBA | ||
| Date, Time |
Track | Session Title | Description | Speakers | |
| Thurs, Nov 12 10:30 AM- 11:30 AM |
Track III | 25 | Equity in the Classroom: A Collaboration Between the WTCS, UW System, and WAICU | It is powerful to have all three higher educational systems working together, especially when the challenge at hand regards equity. Increased collaboration between these systems, state agencies, and organizations in general is something to consistently encourage. Each of the post-secondary systems in the state has identified the need to address inequity in higher education. One of the most important components of system-wide equity efforts is discussing how faculty understands and embrace equity and inclusion in the classroom. Listen to representatives from each system discuss how they came together to collaborate on an event for faculty and a goal to increase equity in credential attainment in our state. Attendees will take away examples of how to start and maintain successful collaborations. | Kristen Long, Wisconsin Technical College System, Education Director-Faculty Quality Assurance and Professional Learning ; Chrystal Seeley-Schreck, Wisconsin Technical College System, Associate Vice President- Office of Instructional Services; Fay Yokomizo Akindes, University of Wisconsin System, Director- System wide Professional and Instructional Development; Cassandra Krause, Wisconsin Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (WAICU), Director of Communications and Marketing |
| Thurs, Nov 12 10:30 AM- 11:30 AM |
Track III | 26 | Talk with Me – Using Innovative Technology to Help Communities Support Equity in Education by Cultivating Language-Rich Environments with Young Children | The research is clear: allocating resources to programs that focus on the early years of life – especially children from under-resourced communities – is the smartest investment that society can make to yield longer-term education, health, and economic returns. A child’s early language environment is one example of those valuable front-end investments. Ensuring that all young children are experiencing high-quality interactions throughout their day – both in the home and classroom settings – is critical to addressing barriers to equity, access, and excellence. Without stimulating adult-child interactions throughout the day, children lack access to optimal social, emotional and cognitive development opportunities. The strategies presented using LENA Grow and LENA Start will illustrate innovative ways in which communities can help lay the groundwork for success in kindergarten and beyond for children, regardless of their background. | Corina Norrbom, MD, Wisconsin Institute for Public Policy and Service, Health Policy Fellow |
| Thurs, Nov 12 10:30 AM- 11:30 AM |
Track III | 27 | Learn how to Increase Equity, Promote Inclusion, and Foster Safety | Learn from an Inclusivity Specialist how to increase equity, promote inclusion, and foster safety in this lively session. Maslow before Bloom indeed! If students/staff don't feel safe they won't succeed, walk away with some tools to help them thrive! Lisa is a former school counselor, state and national leader, and is currently writing a book on LGBTQ+ resources. She has received her Diversity & Inclusion Certification from Cornell University. Attendees will walk away with knowing how to SHOW inclusivity, how to SHARE their stories and experiences in order to SHAPE policies in their schools as well as in their communities. Lisa in on a quest to help Toward One Wisconsin build communities of Equity AND Opportunity! Oh, and we'll have FUN! | Lisa A Koenecke, Inclusion Ally, Lakeland University, Inclusivity Specialist |
| Thurs, Nov 12 1:45 PM- 2:45 PM |
Track III | 28 | Building Equity in High School Graduation Rates | Wisconsin has the largest achievement gap between black and white students’ graduation rates. To improve our community and the outcome of our high school graduation rate, teachers and youth program specialists should utilize a system of identifying students that are at risk of dropping out of high school. When a student is recognized to have risk factors of dropping out, there are many approaches that can be taken. Achieve Brown County has worked with mentoring organizations and school district partners to produce a systems approach to detect students that are at risk, determine why the student is at risk, and finally deliver the appropriate support for the student. In this session attendees will learn ways to identify and support the students who are at risk of dropping out of high school. | Vicki Bayer, Deputy Superintendent for Green Bay Area Public School District; Johanna Wicklund, Senior Director of Strategy and Measurement for the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Green Bay; Ann McCotter, Director of Collaborative Action for Achieve Brown County |
| Thurs, Nov 12 1:45 PM- 2:45 PM |
Track III | 29 | Understanding the Hmong Experience through a Cultural and Historic Lens | This presentation is based on my participation in the 2019 Fulbright-Hays Group Project Abroad. This grant supported 12 secondary and post-secondary educators to travel to Thailand for a four-week seminar focused on Hmong history and culture. The objectives of this presentation are to improve Hmong historical and cultural understanding and expand support of the region’s Hmong population. There will be a historical overview of the Hmong Diaspora, an explanation of the difference between refugees, immigrants, and asylum seekers, a historical and generational experience of the Hmong’s transition into American culture, and a nursing student’s experience and transition into health care. | Lin J. Rauch, MSN-Ed., RN, BSN, BS Ed., Viterbo College |
| Thurs, Nov 12 1:45 PM- 2:45 PM |
Track III | 30 | Rigor, Relevance, & Representation -The 3Rs Needed to Create Equity in Education | The session is designed to advance the process of learning that leads to an enhanced ability to effectively respond to the challenges and opportunities posed by the presence of cultural diversity in a defined social system. In this highly interactive activity-based workshop, participants will learn strategies to help: 1. Learn about the benefits of demonstrating culturally competent attitudes and behaviors in an educational setting to promote equity. 2. Understand how one’s views, biases, statements, and assumptions impact relationships with others, including co-workers, students, and community stakeholders. 3. Discuss practical methods to work effectively with diverse audiences. | Rayon Brown, Fox Valley Technical College, Executive Director of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (CDO); Mayra Pasayes, Fox Valley Technical College, Scholars for Success Coordinator |
| Fri, Nov 13 10:45 AM- 11:45 AM |
Track III | 31 | New Voices in Oshkosh | The right to speak and to be heard is fundamental to the advancement of the cause of social justice. Are we ready to listen to the voices of refugee and immigrant youth? Large numbers of immigrant and refugee youth are present in public schools in the United States, yet services to meet their needs are often lacking. There are few opportunities for bilingual education or support in secondary school settings. Coupled with heavy academic requirements and difficulty of fitting in common to adolescence, refugee and immigrant youth often find themselves silenced, isolated from the school and larger community (Berry, Phinney, Sam & Vedder, 2006). Schools often do not have the resources to support programs for students during the summer, a key time to continue social and academic language progress. Participants will be introduced to individuals who have navigated the challenges facing immigrants and refugees as they pursued their educational journeys. | Don Hones, University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, Professor; Jessica Martinez, University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, Preservice Teacher; Sabrina Samo, Fox Valley Technical College, Student |
| Fri, Nov 13 10:45 AM- 11:45 AM |
Track III | 32 | You, You got What I Need - Now let's get Together: What Biz Markie and Al Green Know About Equity in Education Innovation | One of the biggest challenges in education innovation is connecting the meaningful input, ideas, and needs of those most impacted by inequity with those who may have the technical knowledge or power to help bring about actual change. Learn and practice models from participatory school design, community organizing, and charter school development to learn ways to leverage the expertise of everyone in your community to make change or implement a new idea. Attendees will take away tangible models and frameworks to apply in their own communities and contexts to move from big problems and needs to specific issues, policies, programs, and solutions. Given the interactive nature of the session we also expect new connections within the session, shared examples, and applications in other contexts. | Aaron Seligman, University of Wisconsin System, Director - Office of Educational Opportunity; Sean Anderson, Milestone Democratic School, School Developer |
| Fri, Nov 13 10:45 AM- 11:45 AM |
Track III | 33 | Increasing Equity in Dual Enrollment | According to the "Unlocking Potential" report published by the College in High School Alliance, white high school students in the US are twice as likely to earn college credit by enrolling in dual enrollment classes as their African American or Latino peers. Learn how Wisconsin school districts are working together with colleges and universities to increase equity in dual enrollment, including special education students. Walk away with ideas and best practices you can apply! | Karin Smith, Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, Academic and Career Planning and Dual Enrollment Consultant, Division for Academic Excellence; Carleen Vande Zande, University of Wisconsin System Office of Academic Programs and Educational Innovation, Associate Vice President; Ann Westrich, Wisconsin Technical College System, Education Director, Career Prep, Office of Student Success; Rebecca Larsen, Wisconsin Association of Independent Colleges and Universities, Senior Vice President for Advocacy |
| Fri, Nov 13 12:45 PM- 1:45 PM |
Track III | 34 | Exploring Native Higher Education Pathways and the American Indian Boarding School Experience | This workshop will explore the differences and provide a cultural response for student success. With the use of a constructive pedagogy we will promote discipline thought and simplify understanding for a better understanding of Native persistence within academia to degree attainment. In addition, attendees will gain a better understanding of the historical trauma experienced as a result of attending a boarding school. Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of how this trauma is inter-generational. This journey includes a historical review of the Boarding School Era with details of student experiences while attending the Lutheran Indian Mission School located in Red Springs, Wisconsin. The session will emphasize the importance of building relationships and trust while simultaneously acknowledging that there is no such thing as a bad child; only a bad memory. | Jolene Bowman, Stockbridge-Munsee Community, Director of Education and Career Services |
| Fri, Nov 13 12:45 PM- 1:45 PM |
Track III | 35 | Equity-Minded High-Impact Practices: Pedagogy and Program Development | We will share the development of a project to make “high-impact practices” (HIP) at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay more inclusive and explore the qualities that research shows make high-impact practices distinctive and particularly beneficial for historically marginalized students. We’ll help attendees reflect on how pedagogy and curriculum might change if these students are centered. Our session is useful for anyone interested in engaged learning, increasing equity along multiple axes, and beginning the slow work of institutional culture-change. Participants will have the opportunity to consider how their organization, classroom, or work relates to making equity-minded HIPs a priority. | Alison Staudinger, University of Wisconsin Green Bay, Co-Director, Center for Civic Engagement; Associate Professor, Democracy and Justice Studies; Caroline Boswell, University of Wisconsin Green Bay, Director, Center for the Advancement of Teaching and Learning; Associate Professor-History and Humanities |
| Fri, Nov 13 12:45 PM- 1:45 PM |
Track III | 36 | The Guide for White Women who Teach Black Boys | This workshop will introduce” The Guide for White Women Teaching Black Boys.” The guide was created to support White women to engage in concentrated, focused inquiry around their relationships with Black male students, and the impact on those relationships of race and racism. To effectively support students to move through the gates (which are what great teachers do) rather than closing off student access, teachers need to be able to see students clearly, to connect with them authentically, and to understand the way the gates are already rigged to make it harder for Black students to move through them. For White teachers to be allies to their Black male students, they have to understand not only their students, but the struggles their students incur simply by being Black and male in the US. Participants will work through activities that may challenge them, require honest reflection on their whiteness, and will reflect on their role in possibly perpetuating an inherently white and privileged society. The sessions will support White teachers in their search for personal growth as educators and the academic achievement of their Black male students. | Eddie Moore Jr., PhD, The Privilege Institute; Marguerite W. Penick-Parks, PhD, University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, Professor |
| Date, Time |
Track | Session Title | Description | Speakers | |
| Thurs, Nov 12 10:30 AM- 11:30 AM |
Track IV | 37 | Education and Health Equity: How Systems Can Work Together to Ensure Success of Native American Students from K12 and Beyond | TBA | TBA |
| Thurs, Nov 12 10:30 AM- 11:30 AM |
Track IV | 38 | Being Intentional about Equity in Practice: Saving you and your Organization/Group from Headache and Heartache | Taking the time to develop process and the formulation of processes can be the step in an organization/group working on equity that is daunting. This presentation aims to break down, from another organization’s perspective, how that process can look when members are heard and there is intention to the agreements that are put in place. This presentation will also address the difficulties that have arisen while working on this process and what the impact of working through the tensions and conflicts can lead to in the future. This presentation will demonstrate why a process was intentional and what that means when working on equity. Participants will be able to see where they are in the process of working on equity. Decision-making tools and insights on consensus as a process will be shared. | Susan Garcia Franz, Winnebago County Health Department, Well Woman Program Coordinator; Heidi Keating, Outagamie County Health Department, Community Health Educator |
| Thurs, Nov 12 10:30 AM- 11:30 AM |
Track IV | 39 | Health Promotion Activities for Latino Youth in a Faith-Based Community | Perceptions of family health and well-being, available resources, and decision-making impact health promoting behaviors. Faith-based organizations can effectively support health promotion programs in at risk communities. This session has two purposes: to present a childhood obesity intervention in a faith setting for Latino families; and to report well-being and patterns of decision-making within the family unit related to dietary intake, physical activity, and environmental resources. Discussion of barriers and future opportunities in faith-based community health work will be shared among participants in a way which fosters inclusivity and mutual learning. This presentation is an opportunity to start the conversation and synthesize the collective knowledge and experience among the attendees. The aim of this workshop is not to bring about end goals, but to help refine the community based participatory research process in faith-based settings. | Martin Mikell, PhD, RN, CEN, Medical College of Wisconsin, Post-doctoral Fellow, Department of Family and Community Medicine; Mary Bullis, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, College of Nursing, Doctoral Student; Pam Treisman, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, College of Nursing, Doctoral Candidate Cynthia Gonzalez, MSN, RN, OCNS-C, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, College of Nursing, Doctoral Student |
| Thurs, Nov 12 1:45 PM- 2:45 PM |
Track IV | 40 | Nicotine Addiction and the Teen Brain: The Perfect Storm for a Public Health Disaster | The vaping epidemic is here and posing a challenge to providers, schools, parents, and public health. Teens are especially vulnerable to the on-line availability, unlicensed sales, glitzy marketing, and colorful and concealable nicotine delivery devices. Brain maturation and development is not complete so teens are more likely to seek exhilaration, novelty without having the prefrontal brain development that acts as a brake on risky behavior. Teens want to fit in and be accepted so they may give in to peer pressure and try vaping. Currently providers are seeing more nicotine product use and signs of nicotine addiction by teens (athletes, high GPA, college bound or at college, etc.) who would not previously have thought about smoking a cigarette. They do not believe they will get addicted or that it is dangerous. Nicotine is addicting another generation. Through shared knowledge and working together with providers, schools, families, public health and our lawmakers we can turn around this concerning trend. We can help them! | James A Meyer MD, Marshfield Clinic , Adolescent Medicine Specialist |
| Thurs, Nov 12 1:45 PM- 2:45 PM |
Track IV | 41 | Black Communication: Supporting Healthy Black Families | Interpersonal communication between patients and service providers is of key importance to the delivery of equitable, high quality care. Service providers have to utilize multi-cultural dialects, behaviors and strategies to build trust and rapport with clients and research links this is to higher client satisfaction and increased access to quality care. This session will discuss black communications: verbal and non-verbal and cultural influences that impact care. | Jalateefa Joe-Meyers APSW. MSSW, LISW, Sankofa Educational Leadership United, Founder; Jocelyn Joe, Sankofa Educational Leadership United, Early Childhood Educator; Isaiha Meyers, Sankofa Educational Leadership United, COO |
| Thurs, Nov 12 1:45 PM- 2:45 PM |
Track IV | 42 | Road to Livelihood: Supporting Refugee Culture and the Transition to Living in the US | How might Green Bay create a welcoming environment for refugees and immigrant families in the community? It takes a village to support refugees in language and literacy, education, employment, and other challenges that arise in their transition to life in Green Bay, WI, USA, while at the same time promoting cultural safety. This session will feature a variety of perspectives through a moderated discussion format. | Moderator: Emily Askri, Forward Service Corporation, Assistant Program Coordinator; Speakers: Robyn Hallet, Literacy Green Bay, Executive Director: Tami McLaughlin, World Relief Fox Valley, Director: Kevin Warych, Green Bay Police Department, Operators Commander: Pending Brown County Health Department; Pending Community Services Agency (COMSA) |
| Fri, Nov 13 10:45 AM- 11:45 AM |
Track IV | 43 | From Roots to Results: A Qualitative Case Study of the Evolution of a Public Health Leadership Institute Building Capacity in Collaborating for Equity and Justice | Focusing on power as a root cause of health and health equity requires changes in contemporary public health practice. The Healthy Wisconsin Leadership Institute (HWLI) was created to support coalitions to utilize community-driven approaches to improve health. Over the past 12 years, HWLI has shifted from using a more traditional public health core competency-based curriculum to one that supports participants in power-building partnerships with those most impacted by inequities to influence decision-making structures. Presenters will provide both theory and concrete examples of how their work has contributed to building health equity in Wisconsin since 2006. This session intends to elicit discussion of how other communities may begin to implement strategies that are shared to build and advance health equity. | Lesley Wolf, UW Population Health Institute, Mobilizing Action Toward Community Health (MATCH) Group, Community Training Manager; Raymond Neal, UW Population Health Institute, Mobilizing Action Toward Community Health (MATCH) Group, Community Coach; Alan Talaga, UW Population Health Institute, Mobilizing Action Toward Community Health (MATCH) Group, Community Coach |
| Fri, Nov 13 10:45 AM- 11:45 AM |
Track IV | 44 | An Approach to Health Equity at a Local Healthcare Organization | Dr. Michelle Minikel, a family medicine physician at Bellin's Clinica Hispana, along with the colleagues will discuss the work that Bellin, a health care organization serving approximately 172,000 people in Northeastern Wisconsin, has taken to address health equity. Attendees will learn about Bellin's health outcome data collection and the inequities that were uncovered in the system, what initiatives have been launched by the health equity committee to date, the challenges and successes that have occurred, and future plans to improve health equity in Northeast Wisconsin. Participants will receive concrete steps that can be taken at their health care organizations to help improve equity. The importance of working together as a team will be a unifying theme. | Michelle Minikel, BSN, BS, MD, Bellin's Clinica Hispana, Family Physician; Maggie Koch, BSN, BS, RN, Bellin's Clinica Hispana, Equity Team Leader; Iraidy Ramos, Bellin's Clinica Hispana, Clinic Director |
| Fri, Nov 13 10:45 AM- 11:45 AM |
Track IV | 45 | Trauma Informed Court Room Practices: Dismantling the Child Welfare to Juvenile Delinquency to Adult Prison Pipeline | This session is designed to describe the child welfare to juvenile delinquency to adult prison pipeline in juvenile justice within Wisconsin. The pipeline passes traumatized children from one system to the next without addressing the deeply held trauma and mental health needs of young people and their families, thereby ultimately leaving them without the emotional and intellectual skills necessary to live a happy and productive adult life. Disparities are greatly manifested within these systems. Attendees will gain insight into the health needs of children within the juvenile justice system explained by a judge who has the primary responsibility of ensuring overall well being of the children. Attendees will also learn and see how untreated trauma and mental health creates a crisis in the lives of families. | Honorable/Reverend Everett Mitchell, M.Div., Th.M., J.D., Dane County Circuit Court Judge; Senior Pastor, Christ the Solid Rock Baptist Church; Adjunct Professor University of Wisconsin-Madison Law School |
| Fri, Nov 13 12:45 PM- 1:45 PM |
Track IV | 46 | A Plan for Reducing Mass Incarceration in Wisconsin | Despite long competing economic structures and political forces that have encouraged mass incarceration, a prison abolition movement is gaining traction in Wisconsin. This presentation sets a baseline for understanding causes of today’s prison epidemic (incarceration as punishment; discrimination in arrests, convictions and sentencing; dysfunctional probation system; etc.) towards an actionable plan to significantly reduce the prison population. Alternative courts; sentence guideline reforms; work release programs; probation reform; new approaches to policing; and the closing of some existing prisons are part of the solution. A panel of criminal justice professionals and prison exonerees share perspectives and recommendations based on lived experience. Attendees will come away from the presentation will a deeper understanding of the causes and consequences of Wisconsin’s incarceration epidemic. They will also learn basic facts about our criminal justice system and how it prejudices arrests, convictions and incarceration of black men (among others). Attendees will also gain information about the prison abolition movement—its origins, its effects, and how to engage with the movement to effect change. | John A. Birdsall, Birdsall Obear & Associates SC, Attorney; Keith Findley, University of Wisconsin Madison Law School, Professor, Co-Director of The Innocence Project; Jarrett Adams, Attorney, Exoneree; Michael O'Hear, Marquette Law School, Professor; Joel Brennan, Wisconsin Department of the Administration, Secretary |
| Fri, Nov 13 12:45 PM- 1:45 PM |
Track IV | 47 | TBA | ||
| Fri, Nov 13 12:45 PM- 1:45 PM |
Track IV | 48 | The Intersection of Health Equity and Kindergarten Readiness | How can a community address equity issues with preparing the foundation of our workforce (a.k.a. kindergartners)? Learn how one local health department is incorporating health equity into their developmental screenings and kindergarten readiness work. Through the leadership of the early childhood coalition guidelines and measurements of readiness to learn have been developed. Now we are preparing to get parent, stakeholder and community buy-in for next steps and sustainability. Hear lessons learned and successes from a fledgling effort. | Liz Nelson, Kenosha County Division of Health, Health Services Coordinator; Becky Miller, Kenosha County Division of Health, Public Health Nurse |
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2020 Conference Plenary Speakers
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NIKOLE
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HILARY
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To learn more about our plenary speakers, click here.
2020 Conference Co-Chairs
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MAY YER
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GEORGE
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RICH
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JESSICA
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TEHASSI
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