Category Archives: Advisors

Advisory Council

Advisors, Authors A-H, Of Women

I’m Deeply Sorry: My Letter to Six Women – by Terry Howard

I decided to offer a different approach to Women’s History Month 2025 before the celebration ends up on the chopping block by the Trump administration joining African American and other monthly celebrations. 

Now whereas the mind immediately goes to “past” when it conjures up the word “history,” or perhaps “history makers” in the future, my angle in this narrative is to zero in on current history in the form of an apology to women. So this letter of apology is to you “Bernice,” “Rita,” “Evelyn,” “Francine,” “Rosa,” “Alexzandria,” your loved ones and others who depend on each of you emotionally, spiritually and financially for the devastation that’s interrupted your lives.

I’m sorry, deeply sorry. I’m also embarrassed and enraged.

Continue reading I’m Deeply Sorry: My Letter to Six Women – by Terry Howard →

Advisors, Authors R-Z, Gender

Misgendering: Is It a Big Deal? – by Julia Wai-Yin So

I live in New Mexico—a liberal state where people respect each other’s gender identity.  It is also a state where everyone, including the members of TNG (transgender, non-binary and gender-diverse) community enjoy the privilege of publicly sharing their preferred gender pronoun or personal gender pronoun (PGP). At any given professional meetings, it is a common practice that people would introduce themselves followed by their PGP. I, on the other hand, rarely mentioned my PGP. I am not a member of the TNG community.  At the same time, I do not see the need to announce my PGP. To me, my gender is no one’s business. If I want others to know my gender, I will introduce myself as such and let others know. As for addressing others, I will respectfully ask when unsure and honor their individuality and dignity. 

Continue reading Misgendering: Is It a Big Deal? – by Julia Wai-Yin So →

Black-Jewish Dialogue, Levine articles

Let’s Revive Black-Jewish Dialogue – by Deborah Levine

Celebrating Black History Month at Mizpah congregation brought together members of Chattanooga’s Black and Jewish communities with the synagogue’s “Intriguing conversation”. These conversations are facilitated by Jed Mescon, a well-known media figure here in Chattanooga. Jed’s February interview was with John Edwards III, founder of The Chattanooga News Chronicle, our prominent African American newspaper. The flier announcing the event described  Edwards as a civil rights hero who uses the typewriter to ensure that people of all colors enjoy the rights and freedoms that we often take for granted. 

Continue reading Let’s Revive Black-Jewish Dialogue – by Deborah Levine →

Advisors, Authors R-Z

“EYES AND EARS WIDE SHUT”: THE SILENCE IS DEAFENING – by Mauricio Velásquez

I have always specialized in hostile or militant audiences but from time to time even I have to step back and pause for a second.  Current events are always “fair game” in my workshops; it is what makes my sessions current, electric and never boring.  Recent moments of truth in my sessions lead me to pen and update the original article I wrote many years ago.  The rash of horrible racial injustices (some say pattern) of Ahmaud Arbery to Breonna Taylor to George Floyd to Amy Cooper to Jacob Blake had erupted into a national conversation about racial injustice, white privilege, inequity, diversity, inclusion, and more.

Comments like – “I don’t care about BLM – Black Lives Matter, I am trying to run a business” or “White Lives Matter” or worse “White Lives Matter More (WLMM)” when people mention “Black Lives Matter” have led many to the politicization and polarization of these horrible atrocities and these acts continue a horrible pattern of racial injustice.  You have to go back to “Rodney King had it coming!” and “Trayvon Martin, who cares.”  Today, you must be a “liberal” or a “conservative” – ouch!  

Continue reading “EYES AND EARS WIDE SHUT”: THE SILENCE IS DEAFENING – by Mauricio Velásquez →

Advisors, Authors A-H, Social Issues

Renewing Diversity #5: Wrestling with History – by Carlos Cortés 

In his new book, A Century of Tomorrows: How Imagining the Future Shapes the Present, historian Glenn Adamson muses, “every story about the future is also a demand to intervene in the present.”  I should also add that every story about the present has its roots in the past.

I was trained as a historian, receiving a Ph.D. in Latin American history way back in 1969.   I taught history for twenty-six years at the University of California, Riverside.  Different kinds of history.  Latin American history.  Chicano history.  Film and history.  History of the mass media.

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Advisors, Authors A-H, Race & Ethnicity

Erasing the Tuskegee Airmen from History? – by Terry Howard

1 Comment

Nice try, but no thanks!

In case you missed it, after a strong backlash from scores of others, including military brass and descendants of the Tuskegee Airmen, the United States Air Force quickly reversed its recent move to remove videos featuring the Airmen out of its training programs.  

Okay, with that breaking news, I’m not gonna gloat – well, maybe I will. Just a little bit. I say that because here I am less than 24 hours after I received a message from “Lew,” a lifelong friend. But given that “Lew” is a 5th degree black belt in karate, I was relieved that his expletive-filled email to me wasn’t about anything I’d done or written. No, like scores of others I’d heard from once the news broke, his justifiable anger was ignited by a cockamamie decision to phase out the teaching of the contributions of the Tuskegee Airmen from the U. S. Air Force training curriculum. 

Continue reading Erasing the Tuskegee Airmen from History? – by Terry Howard →

Advisors, Authors A-H, Trends 2025: Chaotic Times

Inclusion and DEI Trends 2025 – by Dr. Deborah Ashton

1,2,3 Analysis

1) 1 or 2 issues that are personally most vital to me in 2025.

I am personally invested in combatting the attack on DEI that is targeting policies and practices in academia and in the workplace—corporate America and government and the deliberate misrepresentation that DEI and meritocracy are dichotomous. When ENRON failed, the right was not blamed for the good old boy, tap on the shoulder, it’s not what you know but who you know selection process. But DEI is blame for a door that fell off a plane and the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge.

My second issue is the voices on the far right and the far left drowning out the voices of the centrist and moderate on both the left and the right. Both the extremists talk at each other, not with each other. The far right refers to anything left of center as Marxist; and the far left refers to anything right of center as fascist.

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Books, Levine articles

Book Signing at Barnes & Noble: The Art of Resilience

          THE ART OF RESILIENCE: From Pain to Promise

Chattanooga, TN: Join Deborah Levine at Barnes and Noble in Hamilton Place on Sunday, September 29 from 2-4pm as she shares her journey to resilience at every level: physical, mental, and spiritual. The true stories of The Art of Resilience demonstrate the power of fierce determination and each story provides helpful lessons learned. Be inspired by the spiritual aspect of these stories  that Deborah has learned from Judaism’s mystic tradition.

“Wow! What an incredible life and book. Deborah Levine is a masterful storyteller who weaves lessons in resilience through her personal experiences. Throughout her life, she has exemplified resilience in her ability to adapt, adjust, and flourish in spite of, or perhaps because of, the many challenges she has faced. Deborah truly mastered The Art of Resilience!” 
~ Dr. Gail A. Dawson: Associate Prof. of Management, Director of Diversity and Inclusion at Gary W. College of Rollins College/U. of Tennessee at Chattanooga 

“Deborah hits another home run with her newest book! She mines her personal history of successes and health setbacks to emphasize lessons for us. We’re easily discouraged today and Deborah is an excellent example of creative overcoming through inner resources, societal cooperation, and divine inspiration. Where most would have given up, Deborah set goals, achieved them, and then set new goals to improve community and the world. If you’re discouraged, read her book and try these lessons.”
~ Marc Brenman: Former Exec. Director of Washington State Human Rights Commission, served with the Office for Civil Rights of the U.S Dept. of Education.

“The Art of Resilience: From Pain to Promise is a compelling exploration of the human spirit’s capacity to overcome adversity and transform suffering into strength. The book, written by someone deeply familiar with the challenges of life, delves into the personal stories, psychological insights, and practical strategies that empower individuals to not just survive difficult times but to thrive in the face of them.”
~ Zen Benefield : passionate coach dedicated to guiding individuals toward personal and professional transformation. 

About the Author – Deborah J. Levine
Deborah is author of 20 books, Founder/Editor of American Diversity Report, Forbes Magazine top Diversity & Inclusion Trailblazer, and Holocaust documentary creator. Awards include: SoLit Local Distinguished Author Award, Books for Peace, Women’s Federation for World Peace, Religion Communicators Council, National Catholic Press Assoc.

Advisors, Authors A-H, Trends 2025: Chaotic Times

Renewing Diversity #4: Pivoting to the Future – by Carlos Cortés

Somewhere during my ninety-year journey I developed a three-line, fifteen-word personal action mantra.  It goes like this.

“Look unflinchingly at the past.
Apply it to the present.
Then pivot to the future.”

So when I think about diversity in 2025, I think about pivoting for renewal, not merely defending the diversity past or doubling-down on current diversity strategies.   That’s why my current  ADR column series is entitled Renewing Diversity.  As circumstances of the past few years have made abundantly clear, the diversity movement is long overdue for renewal, lest it relegate itself into footnote status in the long course history.

Continue reading Renewing Diversity #4: Pivoting to the Future – by Carlos Cortés →