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.

Change is Inevitable as is the Future: Get Creative! – by Deborah Levine

Working from home became the  norm during the pandemic, but it isn’t a new concept. Computers have pointed us in that direction for almost 50 years. When my mother insisted that I take the first computer programming elective offered at my high school during the 1960s, I thought she was nuts. I was focused on learning Russian and preparing for a catastrophic moment in the Cold War. But Mom informed me in her soft sweet voice that computers were the change shaping the future and she was commanding, not suggesting. And if that weren’t weird enough, she insisted that I take a typing class to ramp up my keyboard speed.

Continue reading Change is Inevitable as is the Future: Get Creative! – by Deborah Levine

Richard Humann Podcast: Neo-conceptual Artist

Richard Humann Richard Humann is a Brooklyn-based neo-conceptual artist with innumerable international gallery and museum exhibitions, including: the Kemi Art Museum, the Tampere Art Museum, the Tornio Art Museum, the San Cristóbal Art Museum, the Daelim Art Museum, Macao Art Museum, the Kaohsiung Museum of Art, the Museum of Contemporary Art, Ssamzie Space, and the Espoo Museum of Modern Art.  Humann was born and raised in the Lower Hudson Valley region of New York State. He divides his time between Greenpoint, Brooklyn and Woodstock, NY.

Hear Richard discuss…
1. Moving to Brooklyn in the mid 1980’s from upstate New York – How has the art scene changed in all those years?

2. His work is displayed now on an international stage. How did this transformation happen?

3. What direction is his art now taking especially given the changing art world due to technological advances?

4. What is the place of art in today’s society and how is he viewing his legacy?

CLICK for Podcast

Time is well spent at the library – by Deborah Levine

Originally published in The Chattanooga Times Free Press

As I enter our downtown library I’m reminded of a famous quote by science fiction writer, Ray Bradbury, Libraries raised me.” Growing up in Bermuda, the one small public library was a treasure and my grandmother donated the Encyclopedia Britannica to it. When we came to America as a kid, we lived in several different communities before settling in Long Island, New York. Lacking any sense of direction I often got ridiculously lost, but agree with Albert Einstein who said, The only thing that you absolutely have to know, is the location of the library.”

Continue reading Time is well spent at the library – by Deborah Levine

Tackling Bias and Diversity Benefits All- by Deborah Levine

 (Originally published in The Chattanooga Times Free Press

I hesitated going into the banquet room at the Chattanooga Convention Center for the 2023 Diversify Conference hosted by our Chamber of Commerce and BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee (BCBSTN). The last time I attended this conference was before the pandemic when I delivered an inclusive invocation. My friend and colleague, Ron Harris of BCBSTN, demonstrated unconscious bias by asking us if we thought he could slam dunk a basketball. We all laughed since Ron is definitely “vertically challenged”. Our biases were immediately visible.

Continue reading Tackling Bias and Diversity Benefits All- by Deborah Levine

Bunny Bear Adventures – Teaching Guide

Teaching GuideThis guide for teachers and parents helps children connect to their own feelings and develop empathy for others. The Teaching Guide uses the science of storytelling to design engaging stories as a tool for social and personal competencies. Given the growing need to teach young students respect  and empathy, the video stories of  Bunny Bear Adventures provide a creative approach for teaching social and emotional awareness and laying the groundwork for positive and productive human interaction.

The stories can be read out loud to students and  be accompanied by the Bunny Bear Adventures Coloring Book. Topics in the stories include: welcoming newcomers, understanding differences, dealing with bullying, awareness of language and valuing compassion and kindness.

Continue reading Bunny Bear Adventures – Teaching Guide

Bunny Bear Adventures – Coloring Book

Statue of LibertyInclusive Coloring Book

These coloring pages for ages 6-11 are not only engaging and fun, but also include discussion questions that prompt deep thinking. They’re designed to help young people build critical thinking skills, enhance social and emotional awareness, and increase emotional intelligence.

Bunny Bear and Statue of Liberty
Bunny Bear and Statue of Liberty

Why call it Bunny Bear? My father called all the women in the family “Bunny”: my mom, me, and, when she was born, my daughter who gave me a teddy bear called “Bunny Bear”. The love that Bunny Bear represents keeps me company always and I’m happy to share that love.

The images on the coloring book pages are based on the video stories that you can see when you click on: Bunny Bear Adventures in Diversity Land.

RESOURCE PACKAGE with both:
#1 TEACHING GUIDE &
#2 COLORING BOOK

20% DISCOUNT: $19.95 & Postage only $3.50 

 

Calvin Hosey Podcast: DEI in Tech

DEI in tech Calvin Hosey is Head of Operations and Payment Partnership at Regpack, a software leader in automation of billing and other business processes. As a Black tech executive who climbed the corporate ladder for the last 20 years, Calvin has a breadth of knowledge to share with other people of color looking for insight into career development and execs wanting to navigate DEI in tech.

Regpack is proud of its diverse employee base including 64% female employees and 28% Jewish. They are a great example of embracing diversity and encouraging people to celebrate their differences in and out of the office.

Hear Calvin discuss:
  • How he got started in tech and what has inspired him throughout his career.
  • How diversity on his team helps Regpack problem-solve.
  • Why it’s important to put more diverse tech leaders on the world stage/in the media to inspire young people to get into STEM careers.
  • How technology is helping provide more opportunities to groups who previously were left out.
  • His advice for people of color considering tech jobs.

CLICK for podcast

The How and Why of Religious Diversity Training- by Deborah Levine

Why does the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion field include so little religious diversity training? The cultural awareness and cultural competence inherent in DEI are increasingly embraced as the major tools of the global market place of the future. Yet, there is a black hole of information on diverse religions. The silence is due to a paralyzing sense of being overwhelmed and under-prepared, not to a lack of interest or visibility. Turn on the TV, open a newspaper, or check the internet and religion pops out as a major issue across the planet. Look at the increase in EEOC complaints based on religious expression as well as the growing antisemitism, anti-Muslim and other hate-related trends. Yet, the vacuum of expertise in religious diversity exists in most relationship-oriented sectors of our society: business, education, government, and human services.

Continue reading The How and Why of Religious Diversity Training- by Deborah Levine

Alan Chapell Podcast: Lyrics of the World

Alan Chapell Alan Chapell is an attorney, singer, songwriter and bandleader. Based in NYC, Chapell tours the world. He is influenced heavily by 80s and 90s music – but his lyrics reflect the world around him.

Hear Alan talk about…
1. His career as an attorney and what drove him to become a singer, songwriter and bandleader.
2. What he learned from touring the world and how that’s shared in his music.
3. His future plans for his music and what audiences he plans to impact.
4. What are the takeaways from his journey that will inspire others, especially young people, to follow their dreams.

Hear Alan’s music at ThisIsChapell.com

CLICK for PODCAST