All posts by Editor-in-Chief

Deborah Levine founded the American Diversity Report in 2006. She is a Forbes Magazine top "Trailblazer" and award-winning author of 20 books. Her published articles span decades including: American Journal of Community Psychology, Journal of Public Management & Social Policy, The Bermudian Magazine, The Harvard Divinity School Bulletin.
DL Opinion columns, Music, theater, TV, dance

‘Gimme a Break’ and get along with Music –  by Deborah Levine

originally published in The Chattanooga Times Free Press.

Can we bring diverse folks together in these crazy times? It seems like an impossible dream, one that requires an incredible amount of research, work, time and energy. Yes, I did create a neuroscience-based process years ago called the Matrix Model Management System. And it’s a been a great success for team building. But something simpler and faster is needed these days. What might that be?

I discovered an amazing answer to that question when grocery shopping. I was standing by the candy section, not far from two salesmen whom I’d seen there often. They were discussing sales issues when I realized that I was in front of the KitKat section. I turned to them and asked if they knew the song to the Kit Kat commercial. They grinned like twins although one was African American, the other was country-style White. Together they started to sing and dance to the “Gimme a Break” music from the 1986 KitKat ad. And I joined in. 

Continue reading ‘Gimme a Break’ and get along with Music –  by Deborah Levine →

DL Opinion columns

Using the power of Interfaith – by Deborah Levine

originally published in The Chattanooga Times Free Press

As we celebrate Passover and Easter in our Jewish and Christian homes here in Chattanooga, I had the opportunity to dialogue virtually with the Bermuda Christian Jewish Alliance (BCJA). You may already know that I grew up on the island of Bermuda, part of the British Commonwealth. My grandfather was one of the island’s Founding 400 and we’re the only Jewish family to have lived on the island for 4 generations – going back to the early 1900s. So given the holidays, it wasn’t entirely surprising to get a request from BCJA to speak about my family’s history, especially our experience regarding the Holocaust. 

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Being Diverse

Greg Jenkins Podcast: DEI as a veteran

GregGreg Jenkins is a dedicated leader, facilitator, trainer, coach, mentor, and small-business owner, committed to helping people and teams achieve higher performance. Greg completed a successful 28+ year US Army career that included overseas duties in Germany, South Korea, and combat duty in Iraq plus several stateside assignments culminating in Washington, D.C.

Greg is a certified Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI), Qualified Administrator (QA) and passionate volunteer who actively mentors and coaches leaders, educators, US military service members, and veterans.

Hear Greg answer these questions:

1. How did you initially get involved with DEI?

2. What was it about your US Army experience that connected you to DEI?

3. In your experience, how does DEI intersect with leadership and team building?

Takeaways

1. What experience can you recall where you felt welcomed, respected, valued, and heard? And, how could you replicate that experience?

2. With our continually evolving US demography, what’s the best way to help the country move forward inclusively?

CLICK for Podcast

DL Opinion columns

Women Storytelling for Women’s History Month – by Deborah Levine

originally published in The Chattanooga Times Free Press

Folks often cite famous women in history as their inspiration during Women’s History Month. The stories about Marie Curie, Rosa Parks, Eleanor Roosevelt and Ruth Bader Ginsburg are good examples. But here in Chattanooga, we have our own inspirational women who have spoken about Women’s History Month and its meaning. Let’s learn from the stories that they share.

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DL Opinion columns

Chattanooga’s Sister City in Ukraine – by Deborah Levine

originally published in The Chattanooga Times Free Press

Much excitement at City Hall on March 6 when Mayor Tim Kelly announced that the City of Chattanooga and the Ukrainian City of Trostyanets have solidified their friendship with an official Sister Cities agreement. It was amazing to be present at this Zoom signing ceremony of the documents connecting Chattanooga and Trostyanets as official Sister Cities. 

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Interviewing Deborah

Bermuda Christian Jewish Alliance

Interviewing Deborah Levine

BCJA (Bermuda Christian Jewish Alliance) was founded recently to stand against the global rise in antisemitism and to foster unity between the Christian and Jewish communities. The coalition brings Christians and Jews in Bermuda together to combat antisemitism and promote Holocaust education through community events, dialogue, and advocacy.
My grandfather was one of the island’s Founding 400 and we’re the only Jewish family to have lived on the island for 4 generations – going back to the early 1900s.
Here are the comments on my interview by Tony Reid, a leader of the Alliance:
“On behalf of the BCJA , I’m delighted to express our heartfelt gratitude for tonight’s captivating Zoom talk.
BCJA flyerYou were absolutely brilliant, sharing your family’s remarkable Jewish heritage and contributions, both locally and globally.
Your engaging presentation and dialogue were truly inspiring!

We’re grateful for the insights into your family’s rich history and legacy, which have undoubtedly left a lasting impact on our community and beyond.”

CLICK for Part 1 Video 

CLICK for Jews of Bermuda Article Series 

CLICK for documentary:
UNTOLD, STORIES OF A WORLD WAR II LIBERATOR

DL Opinion columns

Celebrate Goodwill Industries Day! – by Deborah Levine

originally published in The Chattanooga Times Free Press

The Grand Opening of the new East Ridge Goodwill facility on February 26 was a reminder that despite the raging anger, grief and bloodshed in a world now at war, there is also kindness, generosity and courage. With a packed parking lot, the line waiting to enter Goodwill at 8:30am on a rainy day extended around the building and beyond. Young, elderly and diverse, the folks in line looked happy and excited to be at the opening and eager to get goods at this huge new location which filled the Food City on Ringgold Road that had been empty for almost 6 years.

Goodwill was founded more than a century ago by Rev. Edgar Helms who described it as “industrial program as well as a social service enterprise…a provider of employment, training and rehabilitation for people of limited employability, and a source of temporary assistance for individuals whose resources were depleted.” According to Goodwill Industries, more than 85 cents of each dollar from purchases goes towards helping people transform potential into opportunity. An additional section of the East Ridge Goodwill is planned to help people with disadvantages find employment and earn a family-sustaining wage.

Continue reading Celebrate Goodwill Industries Day! – by Deborah Levine →

DL Opinion columns

Save our planet: No last straw – by Deborah Levine 

originally published in The Chattanooga Times Free Press

I had a meltdown over the Trump administration’s revoking the 2009 “endangerment finding” that says climate change is a danger to public health. Trump is grasping at straws claiming that this would save Americans trillions of dollars. But research by organizations such as Nature Climate Change shows that climate risks, especially flooding, could wipe out almost $1.5 trillion in US home values by 2055. My climate activism DNA was activated big time when Trump declared climate change a ‘scam’. Even his small actions like promoting plastic straws over paper ones got me going. Dumping that crap into creeks, landfills and oceans was poison to this Bermuda island girl. 

I started writing articles about the environment years ago, focusing on the ocean and the plastic dumped in it. My Aunt Polly, then 93 years old, explained how such activism ran through our family. Polly and her husband Erwin Strasmich left their Bermuda home and bought a home near Erwin’s cousin Irving Stowe in Providence, Rhode Island. But soon, the Stowes moved on and created planet-saving history.

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DL Opinion columns

Getting older – the Eyes have it! – by Deborah Levine

originally published in The Chattanooga Times Free Press

I remember as a kid telling my mom that I didn’t want to ever get old and drop dead. She told me to get over myself because humans are like flowers: we bloom, fade and die. So anticipating getting a shot in my left eye for AMD (Age-related macular degeneration), I had to get over my fear. I distracted myself with YouTube videos. I love watching Julie Andrews dancing on the mountain singing “The hills are alive with the sound of music”. Sighing blissfully, I watch her sing “Do Re Me” with the kids, and then, singing Edelweiss with the whole family just before they climb over the mountains to escape the Nazis. Andrews made The Sound of Music movie in 1965 and is now 90 years old. She doesn’t have AMD but did lose her voice during vocal chord surgery gone awry – a reminder that aging has many unanticipated consequences.  

Continue reading Getting older – the Eyes have it! – by Deborah Levine →

DL Opinion columns

Community gift of unity: Venue 1921 – by Deborah Levine

(column for Friday, Feb. 13)

When East Ridge was officially founded in 1921, I wonder if residents envisioned a gathering center like the one that just opened. As we gathered together outside the beautiful building, it was obvious that the tag line was a perfect fit: “Where History Meets Celebration”.  Beginning the ribbon cutting ceremony, ER Mayor Brian Williams highlighted the words of the new brochure: “Every event held here adds a new story to the city’s timeline – a place where neighbors, families, and friends gather to create lasting memories.” What a gift! Not only to East Ridge, but to the communities surrounding us.

“Coming together…Unity” was emphasized by Mayor Williams in his introduction. He shared that a decade ago, the vision was an open pavilion with a basketball court which will now be added to the Community Center. Today, the expanded vision for Venue 1921 was built by a team whose members applied their passion, experience, and expertise. I was delighted that City Manager Scott Miller had delayed his retirement so that he could make this public statement: “In my 45-year career, this is the grandest building and team I’ve overseen.”

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