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.
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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.

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About Deborah Levine, Bunny Bear Adventures

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.

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About Deborah Levine, Books, Bunny Bear Adventures

Bunny Bear Adventures – Coloring Book

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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 

 

Workplace Strategies Podcasts

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.

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Levine articles, Religious Diversity

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

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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.

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Arts & Culture Podcasts

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

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Arts & Culture Podcasts

Matsumoto Podcast: Japanese Americans in World War II

Matsumoto
Constance Hayes Matsumoto and Kent Matsumoto authored “Of White Ashes” which is based on the true story of their Japanese American family during World War II. Constance is a former corporate and interior design devotee who embraced the art of creative writing. Inspired by Shakespeare’s “What’s past is prologue,” her writing is intended to influence positive change in our world. Kent, a third-generation Japanese American, was born in Virginia and spent his formative years living in Japan where he attended the American School. Together they empty-nest in Delaware and will make the Japanese American Memorial Pilgrimage.
MatsumotosHear them discuss:
1. The inspiration for “Of White Ashes”.
2. Their decision to co-author “Of White Ashes”.
3. What readers can take away from “Of White Ashes”.

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From punked to pummeled – by Deborah Levine

originally published in The Chattanooga Times Free Press

Over the weekend, Trump assured us that he had illegally leaked information that he’d be arrested on Tuesday by Manhattan’s Attorney General regarding hush money paid to Stormy Daniels.  He wasn’t. A team spokesperson agreed that no such information was received, but rushed to justify Trump’s announcement, saying it was “rightfully highlighting his innocence”. As usual, truth wasn’t the point. The past Republican National Committee Chair Michael Steele explains, “former President Donald Trump used a well-worn page from his playbook to punk everyone over his expected indictment.”

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Arts & Culture Podcasts

Armando Camina Podcast: Hope Faith & Dreams  Foundation

Armando Armando Camina is a pioneering Radio & TV personality and  Founder of the Hope Faith & Dreams Foundation (501c3). The Foundation
believes in Critical Thinking using Arts and Education as a path to the development of success. His mentorship program’s mission is to motivate by creating fun ways to learn and to meet interesting people who can inspire the path to learning. Click to see more about the Foundation.

Hear Armando discuss his journey and the importance of Arts & Education,  mentorship and literacy.

  • His first career as a Texas Broadcaster
  • How did Hope, Faith, and Dreams Begin in 2002.
  • What is the Kaleidoscope of ARTS Mentorship Program and why is it unique and relevant?

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Murdoch’s mess: Fox News, lies and defamation – by Deborah Levine

originally published in The Chattanooga Times Free Press. 

I’m transfixed as the Fox News circus unfolds with the $1.6 billion defamation lawsuit by voting machine maker Dominion against ringmaster, Rupert Murdoch, and his son, Lachlan Murdoch. We’re now told that the Murdochs and their carnival acts like Tucker Carlson all knew that claims of a stolen 2020 election were fraudulent. Yet they spread the lies that led to the violence of Jan. 6, with Carlson now perpetuating that date’s bunch-of-tourists theory. And we Americans are stuck with the divisive mess. Maybe if we’d paid more attention to the Murdochs’ history, we’d have halted the Fox circus before it fueled our culture wars.

Continue reading Murdoch’s mess: Fox News, lies and defamation – by Deborah Levine →