Category Archives: About Us

About the American Diversity Report

Around the world, Authors A-H, Social Issues

Diversity, Dialogue, and Mindsight – by Greg Nees

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Have you ever entered a conversation with the best of intentions, only to end up in an argument? I suspect we have all had this experience and I’d like to suggest that one reason this happens so often is because of mind distance. When we try to communicate with people whose experiences and world views are very different from our own, we often run into invisible walls. It’s like trying to describe colors to a friend who has been blind from birth. No matter how much we try to explain what the world looks, sounds, and feels like to us, if the other person’s experiences have been significantly different, they will have trouble listening and understanding. In my work as an interculturalist, I encounter such mind distance on a regular basis.

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Around the world, Levine articles, Of Women

How Movies Change Women and Girls – by Deborah Levine

The Independent Television Service (ITVS) enriches the cultural landscape with the voices and visions of underrepresented communities, and reflect the interests and concerns of a diverse society. ITVS supports a dynamic field of independent media makers whose programs creatively engage audiences, expand cultural awareness and catalyze civic participation. About seven years ago, filmmakers from around the world came to ITVS with incredible stories about women and girls. Rather than air one at a time, ITVS looked for a holistic approach. They created Women and Girls Lead, a multi-year initiative that includes multiple documentaries about women and girls. After launching the domestic initiative, the project targeted a global audience. With the combined expertise in international broadcasting, storytelling, and on-the-ground knowledge its partners: USAID, the Ford Foundation, and CARE, ITVS recently launched Women and Girls Lead Global.

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Authors I-Q, Go Green

TRANSPARENCY in The PARIS CLIMATE AGREEMENT – by Olumide Idowu

The Paris Climate Agreement sets crucial goals: to limit global temperature increase, and specific goals in three areas – mitigation, adaptation and finance. The long-term goal for mitigation is 2 °C strengthening to 1.5 °C which guides the Agreement. There is a global goal adaptation which includes increasing adaptive capacity and resilience; and a finance goal to increase post 2020 from $100 billion per year. Finance flows will have to balance adaptation and mitigation.

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Authors I-Q, Social Issues

Year End Poem Revisited — by Sanjay Prasad

The solemn year ends, songs and rejoicings amidst anxiety
The summit ended with no concrete solution
The emissions continue so does the carbon level rise
The nature held in ransom with all the deeds of man
The coronation of a new leader ushered with lots of hope
Anxious to end terrorism, global warming and bring peace
would end up as faux pas with the human lives at stake.
With closed eyes I say my Last Prayers that could be heard,

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Groundbreakers storytelling, Levine articles, Of Women, Teams & Leaders

Women Inspiring Women with Their Stories – by Deborah Levine

Who among us has not been touched by success stories or by stories of daring adventures, altruistic sacrifices, or futuristic inventions? Whether it’s rags-to-riches or rising from the ashes, we’re moved and motivated by stories of overcoming life’s obstacles. How do these stories, often of people and places unknown to us personally, penetrate hearts and minds so deeply? Can we harness their inspirational power and apply it to women with unrealized potential? Chattanooga’s Women GroundBreakers tackled the challenge using the Matrix Model Management System.

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Around the world, Authors R-Z, Social Issues

French Introspection & Action: Aftermath Of The Paris Attacks – by Andrew Scharf

All of a sudden, the French find themselves front and center on the world stage: continued slow economic growth, the surge of refugees across Europe and now, dealing with the aftermath of November 13. Since the carnage that hit Paris, President Hollande has been on hyper-drive: air strikes in Syria, intensified security, and persistent lobbying among key world leaders for a coordinated war against ISIS.

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Articles about Writing, Levine articles

The Power of Words and a Nudge – by Deborah Levine

Where better to hear a speech on The Power of Words than at a library? That was Tom Griscom’s topic at the annual meeting of Chattanooga’s public library board of directors. I couldn’t resist joining them atop four floors of books, DVDs, and periodicals. Griscom had revitalized my passion for writing almost a decade ago. As editor and publisher of The Chattanooga Times Free Press, he created a cadre of community correspondents who reported weekly on events in their neck of the woods. I hemmed and hawed when first contacted, but the young reporter got me when she said, “C’mon. You know you want to.” Yes, I did, for years, and never regretted it.

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Levine articles

Paris: An American Muslim Speaks Out – by Deborah Levine

The violence in Paris has dominated the news and must stop. Holiday spirits are minimal as the world adjust to new realities, greater awareness. I received this letter from an American Muslim who has written for the American Diversity Report in the past about interfaith coalition efforts. Hanadi Chehab writes passionately about the inhumane acts and how they do not represent Islam in any way.

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Authors A-H

An open letter to the college student – by Terry Howard

This “letter” requires some imagination. It is purposefully direct, graphic, hard hitting and may cause some discomfort. The reader is urged to read it carefully, several times perhaps, then pass it along and maybe even make it the focal point of a small group discussion (family, classroom, fraternity, etc.)

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