Category Archives: About Us

About the American Diversity Report

Advisors, Authors A-H

Did Tyreek forget the “talk”? – by Terry Howard

“In that moment, (Tyreek) Hill thought he was a member of the Miami Dolphins. He wasn’t. Hill was a Black man in America, and the rules are different,” opined The USA Today’s columnist Mike Freeman. “That’s one of the main points of the talk. Police, I was always told, will try to put you in your place, or put you on the ground.”

Déjà vu all over again? Did we just experience George “I can’t breathe” Floyd 2.0. …..Or 3.0? …..Or 4.0? I’ve lost count.

Like those meddlesome dandelions in the front lawn, here we go with still another police/African American interaction that quickly went south, a storyline that conjures up the late Marvin Gaye’s lyric, “It makes you wanna holler and throw up both your hands!”

Continue reading Did Tyreek forget the “talk”? – by Terry Howard →

Authors A-H, Religious Diversity

 Judaism’s Meltdown or The End Result of the American Melting Pot – by Miriam Hoffman

Since Abraham, forefather of Judaism smashed all the idols in his father’s  lucrative idol showcase business which consisted of wooden deities, fertility gods, big and small idols promising provisions, as well as idols that assured health and wealth, this was the precise time when Abraham decided that there is no man-made visible god, but one who dwells up above, in the Celestial Heavens, the God that promised to protect and demanded of his Chosen People loyalty, humanity, wisdom and above all knowledge of their past history.

As time was overlapping one another, his people obeyed and disobeyed, were loyal and betrayed Him, stuck by Him through thick and thin not to mention those who abandoned him altogether.

Continue reading  Judaism’s Meltdown or The End Result of the American Melting Pot – by Miriam Hoffman →

Advisors, Politics, Social Issues

Debunking 4 Major Myths of Assault Weapons Ban – by David Grinberg

During the first week of September, the latest mass shooting tragedy occurred at a high school in Winder, Georgia. This has thrust the issue of gun safety reform squarely into the 2024 presidential campaign.

Thus far, there have been more mass shootings than days in the year (385 according to the Gun Violence Archive). Here are a few other shocking statistics to consider:

Advisors, Social Issues

One 9/11 Victim’s Positive Impact Posthumously  – by David B. Grinberg

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As another annual 9/11 observance has come and gone, I want to pay tribute to those lost, including a close childhood friend who was working in the Twin Towers as a financial trader on that tragic day.

President Roosevelt (FDR) called the bombing of Pearl Harbor during World War II: “A date that will live in infamy.” The same can be said of 9/11. 

Even though it’s been 23 years, we must be mindful year-round of all the families, friends and relatives who lost loved ones. The memories and pain of loved ones lost never goes away.

Continue reading One 9/11 Victim’s Positive Impact Posthumously  – by David B. Grinberg →

Authors I-Q, Teams & Leaders

Impact of AI on Diversity in Financial Accounting – by Rose Joneson

As ignoring technology is no longer an option in the workplace, various fields and businesses are leveraging digital transformation for diversity, innovation, and empowerment.

A previous post illustrates how the online registration software company Regpack was able to build a diverse and inclusive workplace with the help of technology. The company used digital tools to promote creativity and collaboration, while also embracing remote work opportunities to accommodate unique needs, especially among tech professionals of color.

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Arts & Culture Podcasts, Authors A-H, International Podcasts

Avi Hoffman Podcast: The Global Yiddish Renaissance

Avi on stage Avi Hoffman is a globally renowned award-winning actor, director and producer, and Co-Founder & CEO of Yiddishkayt Initiative, Inc.  (YILoveJewish.org)
This is a nonprofit organization dedicated to fighting Antisemitism through the Arts : Yiddish Saves The World.

Avi was recently awarded Congressional recognition. He was invited to the Vatican to meet Pope Francis and was inducted into the Bronx Jewish Hall of Fame for his lifetime work advancing Jewish culture, Yiddish language and Holocaust awareness.

CLICK for Avi’s podcast interview

Authors R-Z, Race & Ethnicity, The Arts

Waymakers: Celebrating and Protecting Diversity in Appalachia – by Joe Tolbert Jr.

The Waymakers Collective is dedicated to supporting community arts and organizations in the heart of Appalachia that are historically underfunded: those led by BIPOC (Black, indigenous, and people of color), youth, LGBTQIA+, and non-English speakers/immigrants. Earlier this month, we held our Annual Gathering to celebrate our community of Appalachian artists, culture workers, organizers, activists, doers, and creatives who are committed to building a just and equitable Appalachian future.

Continue reading Waymakers: Celebrating and Protecting Diversity in Appalachia – by Joe Tolbert Jr. →

Advisors

Renewing Diversity # 1: High School Ethnic Studies – by Carlos Cortés

We may be living through the most turbulent half decade in the history of the diversity movement that took off in the late 1960’s.  In the process, the very idea of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion has been taking a shellacking, including legislative restrictions on its very existence.   Consider some of events.

The publication of The 1619 Project and the ensuing  attack on Critical Race Theory.  The police killing of George Floyd.  The growing strength and virulence of the anti-diversity movement, ranging from President Donald Trump’s 2020 ban on federal diversity training through Florida’s passage of the Stop Woke Act to the national surge of diversity-related book banning.   The 2024 presidential campaign, with inflamed and accusative proclamations about biracial identity, transgender rights, White nationalism, immigration, and, yes, tampons.

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Advisors

AI in Sports – by Ainesh Dey

Propelling Sustainable Development in the Commonwealth Debate

The 8th Commonwealth Debate on Sport and Sustainable Development held in London recently shed light on the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in accelerating the progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. The motion under discussion, ‘Artificial Intelligence is the answer to accelerating the power of sport to help achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030,’ sparked a lively debate among experts in the field. Ultimately, the team advocating for the ethical use of AI in sports emerged victorious, emphasizing the importance of leveraging technology within established frameworks.

The debate, which coincided with the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace on April 6th, served as an important platform to explore innovative strategies to harness the power of AI in sports for sustainable development. Rohn Malhotra, the Co-Founder and Managing Director of Sports TechX and a key member of the winning team, highlighted the opportunities presented by technology to propel progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals. His remarks underscored the transformative potential of AI when employed ethically and strategically in the realm of sports.

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Academic Articles, Authors A-H

Interfaith Bridgebuilding Across the Digital Divide – by Geneva Blackmer

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What is the Digital Divide?

It is difficult to explain the realities of the digital divide to those who live comfortably on either side of the partition. Contemporary definitions include not only having access to technology, but also the right to digital literacy, digital participation, and social inclusion. While I was aware of the rapid and pervasive advancement of the digital world, correlating gaps in access did not fully become apparent until I began working within various public library systems. Over the years, I have assisted library patrons with everything from job applications to filing for social security, disability, and other medical benefits, to submitting college essays. The common denominator in all scenarios is that no option remained available for them to perform these tasks without technology, which was made accessible almost exclusively through public library services.

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