A Few Ways We Are Making An Impact
Some Current Ongoing Efforts Happening Now
There may not be an opportunity for you to work with us now, but we want you to stay up-to-date on what we are doing, and have engaged in already, as part of affecting change in our communities.
Waterville Creates Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee
Assisting non-profit Waterville Creates in considering key steps towards implementing lasting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusive measures for the betterment of the arts, and arts community.
Gorham Anti-Racism and Equity Committee
Assisting the Town of Gorham in guiding the Anti - Racism and Equity Committee in pursuing long lasting Racial Equity with a Diverse, Equitable, and Inclusive lens, establishing humanity and identity to all.
RSU -1 Regional School District of Maine
Working with local Administration on a journey of understanding Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, while consider future practical steps in their District and Schools.
Other Partners and Collaborators in DEI
Prince Memorial Library
Serving Cumberland and North Yarmouth
https://www.princememorial.org/
Ecomaine
https://www.ecomaine.org/
Apogee Adventures
https://www.apogeeadventures.com/
Mindbridge
https://www.mindbridgecenter.org/
Upcoming Opportunities and Engagements
Since 2020, the increased attention to racial justice has led to calls for more diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in our society. Companies and institutions have made greater efforts to raise awareness of diverse backgrounds and to be more inclusive in hiring. But recently, DEI initiatives have prompted a backlash among certain segments. We discuss the goals of DEI efforts, why some object to them, and how to move forward.
Panelists:
Judith Josiah Martin, instructor, School of Social Work, University of Maine; training consultant; community advocate
Dustin Ward, president/founder, It is Time; racial equity and reconciliation advocate; former pastor; select board member, New Gloucester
Michael Cato, senior vice president and chief information Officer, Bowdoin College
Updates From Our Partnerships
Apogee Adventures - Learning and Growing with Dustin Ward
In our ongoing pursuit of knowledge and growth, we had the privilege of collaborating with Dustin Ward, president and founder of the Maine-based racial advocacy organization, It Is Time. Dustin facilitated our DEI workshop during our Leader Training this June, guiding us through important discussions on diversity, equity, and inclusion with a focus on the concept of identity. He provided us with valuable scenarios, tools, and conversation topics for approaching DEI topics – it was an informative, meaningful, and very practical workshop, and we are so grateful for Dustin’s insight and engagement with our team.
https://www.apogeeadventures.com/blog/apogees-diversity-equity-and-inclusion-initiatives-2023-year-in-review-and-planning-for-2024/
Image courtsey of Brian at
https://photographyforthepeople.com/home
Our Previous Work
Recent efforts, that we’ve had the privilege of doing, as ways to help direct change and end racism.
Since 2020, the increased attention to racial justice has led to calls for more diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in our society. Companies and institutions have made greater efforts to raise awareness of diverse backgrounds and to be more inclusive in hiring. But recently, DEI initiatives have prompted a backlash among certain segments. We discuss the goals of DEI efforts, why some object to them, and how to move forward.
Panelists:
Judith Josiah Martin, instructor, School of Social Work, University of Maine; training consultant; community advocate
Dustin Ward, president/founder, It is Time; racial equity and reconciliation advocate; former pastor; select board member, New Gloucester
Michael Cato, senior vice president and chief information Officer, Bowdoin College
https://www.mainepublic.org/show/maine-calling/2024-02-16/dei-backlash
As part of Belfast’s 35th MLK celebration, we had an opportunity to share some words reflecting on King’s question Where Do We Go From Here; Chaos or Community.
Images take by and are curtesy of Betsy Headley - Writer and Photographer
Betsy Published Something Is Always Left 2017 and The Clarity of Birds, that includes photographs of Maine birds, 2022
MAY 9, 2022
Dirt Road Revival
Maine State Senator Chloe Maxmin and campaign manager Canyon Woodward offered their thoughts on how Democrats can reconnect with rural America. This event was held in Portland, Maine.
How can we come together for racial equity? What can we do as individuals? Dustin Ward shares his personal history and experience along the road to becoming a racial equity and reconciliation advocate.
Has life changed for Black citizens in Maine since George Floyd’s murder? If so, in what ways?
Those questions are at the heart of interviewer Tori Lyn’s podcast with Dustin Ward, a former minister who sought municipal office this year after a racial controversy — and won.
You can listen below to the episode or you can find it on some of your favorite podcast hosting platforms including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, iHeart Radio, Google Podcasts, Podcast Addict, Podchaser, Pocket Casts, Castbox, Deezer, Castro, Listen Notes, Podfriend, Player FM and Podcast Index.
Find the article about this event on WMTW:
https://www.wmtw.com/article/hundreds-gather-for-reading-of-letter-from-a-birmingham-jail/42541231
It is not always clear when to take action when witnessing potential harassments, bullying or violence. Dustin and other panelists discuss about when it is warranted for a bystander to do something when they hear or see harmful behavior--and what actions are helpful and safe.
Panelists:
Clara Porter, social worker, educator, director of Prevention. Action. Change.
Dustin Ward, Racial Equity and Reconciliation Advocate; founder of It Is Time ...
Chief Noel C. March, lecturer of Justice Studies; director, Maine Community Policing Institute, University of Maine at Augusta
VIP Caller:
Marita Kennedy-Castro, dancer, artist, intercultural bridge-builder
Dustin shares in a conversation about Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion with regard to Career Services and the progress forward. Included in this discussion is Jennifer Tardy, Consultant out of Maryland.
Dustin marks the one-year anniversary of the killing of George Floyd as a guest on Maine Calling, a call-in live show on Maine Public Radio. The panel looks at how the past year’s attention to racial justice has raised awareness of how racism affects us all in this country.
Dustin shares with Muoki about the experiences that led him to founding It Is Time…, and how that business has given him access that he previously did not have as a Black pastor in White Evangelical spaces. Muoki and Dustin discuss how the American education system has failed to prepare Millennials for the modern economy, and the relationship between embracing uniqueness and experiencing belonging. They share about Black identity in interracial marriages, and having biracial sons. Dustin shares his racial equity expertise on the subject of faith-based organizations and other institutions. Muoki explains why everyone is “late” to the race conversation.
A look at what has happened across the state to forward racial justice since the protests erupted last summer in the wake of George Floyd’s death. From state action to youth activism to police reform, local governments, schools, police departments and community groups are taking steps to raise awareness and implement change for greater racial justice.
MLK Celebration in conjunction with Maine Initiatives.
Podcast with David and Chris about Racism and the church now.