Description
Join us as keynote speaker Deepa Iyer addresses the people, roles, and responsibilities of anti-racist and DEI work beyond diversity statements and “checkboxes.”
Following the keynote, Deepa will be joined by a panel of alums who are active in social justice work. They will discuss their different roles and experiences.
Moderator: Lori James-Townes, MSW ’91, Alumni Association Board of Directors, President
Panelists:
Neijma Celestine-Donnor, MSW, Assistant Dean and Director, Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, University of Maryland School of Social Work
Vidushani Jayalal, MSW, Chief of Staff for Councilman Mark Conway, Baltimore, MD
William “Bill” Joyner, JD, MSW, Director Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Office, University of Maryland, Baltimore
***Please note***
In order to receive CEs, you will need to successfully complete a quiz at the end of the presentation.
Refunds will not be granted after purchase. You have access to the video for 30 days.
Instructor
Deepa Iyer is a South Asian American writer, strategist, lawyer, and racial justice advocate.
Currently, Deepa is a Strategic Advisor at Building Movement Project and Director of Solidarity Is, a project that provides trainings, narratives, and resources on building deep and lasting multiracial solidarity. Deepa’s areas of expertise include the post 9/11 America experiences of South Asian, Muslim, Arab and Sikh immigrants, immigration and civil rights policies, and racial equity and solidarity practices.
Dean & Professor, University of Maryland School of Social Work
Judy L. Postmus began her term as dean of the University of Maryland School of Social Work (UMSSW) on July 1, 2020. Selected after a nationwide search, Postmus succeeded Richard P. Barth, PhD, MSW, who had served as the school’s dean since 2006.
Postmus joined UMSSW after 14 years with the School of Social Work at Rutgers University. She was a professor as well as associate dean for faculty development and strategic initiatives (2018-2019) and associate dean for research and faculty development (2019-2020).
Postmus’ research has focused on the physical, sexual, and economic victimization of women. At Rutgers, she was the founder and director of the Center on Violence Against Women and Children (2007-2018), which works to eliminate physical, sexual, and other forms of violence against women and children — and the power imbalances that permit them — through multidisciplinary research, education, and community engagement.
Lori James-Townes, LCSW-C, MSW ’91
Executive Director at National Association for Public Defense/President, Expand-Now
Lori James-Townes is President & CEO of Expand-Now. She also serves as an Assistant Training Director for National Association of Public Defense. Lori’s passion is adding value to others. Lori has over 25 years of teaching, clinical practice, leadership, and management experience in juvenile justice, mental health, and public defender settings. Her most recent public defender position was Director of Social Work, Leadership and Program Development, with Maryland Office of Public Defender. With over more than 800 employees, she served as one of the first Directors of Leadership in a public defender setting. While in this position, she demonstrated her ability to help others grow in the areas of teamwork, leadership, and management. She also led the agency’s social work staff, consultants, and interns.
Lori is certified John Maxwell Trainer, Coach and Speaker. She has developed programs that are now national models for other agencies. In 2015, The Daily Record Newspaper named her as one of Maryland’s Top 100 Women. As a speaker, she is requested both nationally and internationally.
Lori has held various leadership positions on national organizations and Boards of Directors. Her commitment to growth has been recognized as organizations have appointed her to serve as Conference Chair for several national conferences and training programs. Lori also serves as a faculty member for national and regional leadership development, trials skills, training, and programs, including but not limited to: National Alliance of Sentencing Advocates and Mitigation Specialist Gideon’s Promise, National Legal Aide and Defender Association, Administrative Offices of the Courts (Training Branch), MD Department of Human Services, and other private and non-profit entities.
As the School of Social Work’s first assistant dean for diversity, equity, and inclusion, Neijma Celestine-Donnor will help lead the school's diversity and anti-oppression efforts and guide the achievement of a new standard for inclusive excellence. As a member of the dean’s executive leadership team, Celestine-Donnor has a strategic position responsible for promoting and enabling an inclusive environment for faculty, students, and staff while championing organizational change.
Grounded in pursuing social justice for minority populations and supporting equity in higher education, Celestine-Donnor is an experienced leader focused on providing strategic oversight for protocols, services, and policies related to campus climate. She uses her clinical and conflict resolution skills to provide individual and systemic trauma-informed outreach, advocacy, and support for all. Her extensive experience developing, facilitating, and assessing professional development workshops, training, and programming designed to enhance the intercultural competency of students, faculty, and staff will be a tremendous benefit to the school.
Celestine-Donnor comes to the school from the University of Maryland, College Park, where she served as director of campus climate support and engagement in the Division of Diversity and Inclusion. She is a 2009 graduate of the School of Social Work’s MSW program and previously served as a clinical training instructor and adjunct faculty member at the school. In addition, Celestine-Donnor is studying for a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Baltimore.
Learning Objectives
Upon the completion of this webinar, participants will be able to:
- Define the concept of the Social Change Ecosystem.
- Identify the different roles in the work of social justice, anti-racism, and liberation.
- Connect how they can support DEI and anti-racism work in their everyday jobs, roles, duties, etc.
Late Fees and Refunds
Fee & Registration:
Our Homecoming Event is free, however, CEs are $25.
Refunds nor credits will be granted.
Target Audience
Social Workers, LCPCs, and Psychologists
All those interested in Topic Welcomed
