Urban League of Northwest Indiana strives to make our community a more diverse and inclusive place to live. On Wednesday, May 17 Urban League of Northwest Indiana held its annual Diversity and Inclusion Symposium to help make its dream of a more inclusive world a reality. Students, teachers, and leaders from all over the community gathered at Valparaiso University to engage in earnest conversation and create hope for the community’s future.
Attendees wasted no time at the event--as soon as they walked in the door they jumped right into the main discussion session. Groups were broken up and seated amongst different tables so that everyone was sitting with someone they’d never met before. Adults sat with students, leaders sat with the leaders of other organizations--looking around the room, diversity was truly brought to life.
Many community leaders came to the event simply thinking they wanted to learn more about diversity and inclusion and bring that knowledge back to their organizations. For Jennifer Trowbridge, CEO of Northwest Indiana Community Action, it was her first time attending the symposium. After the first session alone, Trowbridge felt she had gained so much more than knowledge--she had gained perspective.
“I have an obligation to make sure our organization is meeting community needs and that our programs fit a whole spectrum of people. In order to do that, you have to understand where people are coming from. Building relationships with people and engaging with others like this is a big part of that--it allows you to see something from a different perspective so that when you come to the table to make a decision, you’re much more informed. I wish all functions were like this,” said Trowbridge.
Many community leaders also came to the event for their own personal growth. Dr. Sharon Johnson-Shirley, Superintendent of Lake Ridge New Tech Schools, explained that she comes to the symposium every single year because she enjoys having the opportunity to share her worries and concerns with others and receive some guidance.
“I’m always looking to improve and figure out life. I need help navigating society--I worry about what my teachers are teaching and what’s going to get them in trouble and what books are on the shelves. All these questions give me nightmares, and I need help navigating through them. This event gives me the space to do that. I come back year after year,” said Johnson-Shirley.
After the main session ended, the adults broke off to attend workshops centered around many topics including inequities in poverty, critical race theory, hate crimes, systemic racism in the justice system, and how to implement diversity training in your community. The students stayed behind to take part in unique engagement activities.
One of the students’ favorite activities was a fun twist on the show “Shark Tank.” Students were separated into groups and tasked with coming up with a solution to make their schools more diverse and inclusive. After brainstorming within their groups, the students then had to pitch their ideas to a panel and receive feedback. It was a creative way to encourage students to take part in important conversations and seek out ways to make a change.
Many of the students were thrilled to have the opportunity to share their ideas. Josiah Harvey, a freshman from Whiting High School, loved how much the day’s events empowered him to speak up when he often feels like he can’t.
“I love the inclusivity of today. It makes me happy that they’ve made this safe space for people, especially minorities, to share their voices and opinions,” said Harvey.
Other students especially enjoyed getting the opportunity to listen to others they don’t normally get to hear from.
“I’ve just really enjoyed this so far. Seeing the students from the other schools and hearing their struggles is very moving and it encourages me to do better and go back to my school and bring about change,” said Portage High School Sophomore Gracie Alaniz.
The adult leaders who participated in the symposium were very impressed by the students and their heartfelt participation. Watching the students become passionate and come up with solutions left many feeling hopeful about the community’s future.
“I’m delighted by all the students who have shared their voices today. There is a large number of students here from a huge variety of schools. The students are not only speaking really well, but they’re having a tremendous amount of courage to go up and share their thoughts. I couldn’t be more proud--it gives me hope to see these kids step up and act like leaders,” said Matthew Burden, president and CEO of Porter-Starke Services.
The Diversity and Inclusion Symposium was ultimately a day of meaningful conversation, building relationships, and leaders, young and old, taking the future into their own hands. Some of the event’s topics were difficult to discuss, and at some points, people raised more questions than answers, but it is all crucial to helping the community grow and become the more welcoming, inclusive place we know it can be.
“The deeper you get into a topic the more difficult it’s going to be to solve, but you have to take that first step,” said Burden.
For more information, contact Dr. Vanessa Allen McCloud at 219-887-9621 or visit the website at www.urbanleagueofnwi.org.
