Jan 21, 2021
11:30am - 1pm EST
Takeaways From This Session:
Microaggressions are the everyday verbal, nonverbal, and environmental slights, snubs or insults (whether intentional or unintentional) which communicate hostile, derogatory or negative messages to target persons based solely upon their marginalized group membership. In many cases, these hidden messages may invalidate the group identities or experiential reality of target persons, demean them on a personal or group level, communicate they are lesser human beings, suggest they do not belong with the majority group or relegate them to inferior status and treatment.
To aid our AMA community mission to elevate DEI as a priority throughout the marketing industry as a whole, we’ve carefully crafted a diverse group of panelists from all over the country to discuss their personal experiences with microaggressions in the workplace.
In this session, you’ll hear personal accounts of microaggressions for each of our panelists that occurred at various levels in their careers. You’ll learn how it’s impacted not only their personal and professional lives, but the lives of those around them, and tips for how to prevent, address and overcome microaggressions in your own organization.
Finally, we’ll break out into smaller groups for a more intimate discussion and Q&A with our esteemed panelists.
Takeaways From This Session:
Tanya Wallace-Gobern: Executive Director of the National Black Worker Center
Tanya Wallace-Gobern is the first executive director of the National Black Worker Center Project.
Born in Chicago, Illinois, after graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree from Loyola University of Chicago she moved to the deep south in 1991 to launch an organizing career empowering women and people of color. Her professional experience includes organizing with UNITE HERE (formerly the Union of Needle trades, Textiles and Industrial Employees) AFL-CIO, and the Association of Flight Attendants. Aggravated by the low number of African Americans among staff and union leadership, she created the AFL-CIO’s Historical Black College Recruitment program.
In 2004 she entered the nonprofit community to led the field operation for Women’s Action For New Directions. Based in Atlanta, GA she directed national programs to educate the public and elected officials about the need to reduce and redirect excess military spending.
Returning to labor in 2008 Tanya relocated to Sacramento, CA where she learned a different, non-adversarial approach to trade unionism and joined the staff of the Coalition of Kaiser Permanente Unions (CKPU). Initially hired as the National Affiliations Coordinator she led the affiliation of the Hawaii region into the Coalition. Being promoted several times she served in the roles of Southern California National Coordinator, Director of Transformation, East Coast Field Director and National Field Director.
As Executive Director of the National Black Worker Center Project she lives out her lifelong passion while executing the mission of empowering Black workers to advance their rights and improve the quality of jobs in key employment sectors.
Tanya leads a cadre of membership-based, and member-driven Black worker centers that utilize a combination of leadership development, organizing, policy advocacy, and strategic communications to build power to address the black job crisis.
Partnering regional black worker centers are located in Los Angeles, CA, Chicago, Il, New Orleans, LA, Baltimore, MO, Raleigh-Rocky Mount, NC, Greenville, MS, Washington, DC, and Oakland, CA.
Ms. Wallace-Gobern has advanced knowledge of community and political structures. She is a graduate of the Harvard Business School Executive Leadership program and her opinions and contributions have been featured in YSB magazine, Ebony magazine, The Los Angeles Times, and on ABC Nightly News.
Learn More At: Tanya Wallace-Gobern, Executive Director of the National Black Worker Center
Donald Thompson: CEO of Walk West and Founder of The Diversity Movement
With two decades of experience leading firms, Donald Thompson is a thought leader on goal achievement, influencing company culture and driving exponential growth. He has successfully grown and sold several technology and marketing firms to international corporations. Since becoming CEO, Walk West has been recognized by Inc 5000 as the fastest growing marketing firm in North Carolina in 2018, 2019 and 2020.
As a Certified Diversity Executive (CDE), he conducts workshops with C-suite executives who are looking to develop, expand or optimize their diversity, equity, and inclusion practice. Donald is a keynote speaker, a weekly contributor for WRAL TechWire and the author of several books.
Learn More At: Donald Thompson, CEO of Walk West and Founder of The Diversity Movement
Stephen Brent May: Founder of One Foot Over + Past President and CMO Co-Chair of AMA Houston
Kim "Kimfer" Flanery-Rye: Founder of MyKimisms + VP of DEI for AMA Puget Sound (Seattle)
I believe a company’s culture is the heart and soul of the organization. Without a thoughtful and purposeful strategy to feed a culture that includes diversity, equity, and inclusion, it will take on a life of its own without your intent or approval.
Entrepreneurial in spirit, creatively minded and service at heart, I am a seasoned professional with 20+ years of experience with a diverse background in art, design, communication, training, digital marketing, brand strategy, executive leadership, design thinking, and organizational development specifically focused on the IDEA: Inclusion = Diversity + Equity + Accessibility to build culture from the inside out.
My entrepreneurial spirit, creative mind, and service heart continue to bring positive changes and support the organizations around me. In addition, I am a fierce advocate for the community, spend my time volunteering and donating to many organizations, large and small. Above all, I am someone who absolutely loves a creative mind, an artistic eye, and a wicked sense of style…in whatever form.
Learn More At: Kim “Kimfer” Flanery-Rye, Founder of MyKimisms, and VP of DEI for AMA Puget Sound (Seattle)
AMA Triangle Members: Complimentary
Non-Member Guests: $25
AMA Triangle / Collegiate Student Members: Complimentary
Student Guests: $15