Category Archives: About Us

About the American Diversity Report

Advisors, Authors R-Z, Politics, Social Issues

Pope Leo XIV is a Change Agent – by Mauricio Velásquez

A courageous voice in a wilderness of quiet conflict avoidance is refreshing, Pope Leo XIV’s regular critical comments of Trump’s policies are honorable and most important, necessary in today’s theater of hate and division.  Pope Leo XIV has been a “moral check” on our present administration, challenging them as not being even humanitarian.  He speaks  for so many – representing Catholics from all over the world.  

Most important to note is how Pope Leo XIV critizes policy, the administration’s actions and not Trump personally.  Donald J. Trump spews hate and suspicion every day and is a serial liar and it is Pope Leo XIV who cannot look the other way and “calls out Trump” constantly, regularly.  Pope Leo XIV has criticized Trump’s policies on immigrants (“inhuman”), Iran War (“atrocious”) and calls out Trump’s action as not Christian.  It is the right approach – separate the person from their actions and focus on their actions and consequences of their actions.

Continue reading Pope Leo XIV is a Change Agent – by Mauricio Velásquez →

Authors R-Z

The Fueling Of A Renaissance: Part 2 – by Regina Sën

Calm Heart, Clear Mind

This is the story of how, amid the world unraveling in catastrophe—uncertainty looming and megastorms colliding—one woman found her way to wholeness and back to functioning, determined to love come what may, and there lifted.

We live in a nation that is far removed from the wisdom that unfolded in the previous article “Fall of The Spiral Curtain,” and it is barren of the knowledge of emotion and energy hygiene, a necessary support in such a journey: to love come what may.

Continue reading The Fueling Of A Renaissance: Part 2 – by Regina Sën →

Authors R-Z, Social Issues

Fall of the Spiral Curtain – Part 1 – by Regina Sën

The fall of the iron curtain can never precede the fall of the spiral curtain. We are witnessing, in real time, the dangers of allowing citizens to rise in power before transcending the human spiral, in a land barren of emotional and energy hygiene, under fire, under pressure. In communities of old, regardless of faith or tradition, we encounter “the human spiral”: cycles of fear, judgment, shame, and misunderstanding that wound us—and others—in invisible ways. The following story explores the luxury of being sheltered, and patterns of reactivity that pass silently through generations, even when we are “raised with love.” Through the wisdom of a trusted elder (*do you have one?*)—a Guru, an ‘Aunty’, an ‘Old Soul’, whoever *your* people recognize as wise—we learn to bear witness to this spiral, to sit with another’s pain and misunderstanding, ultimately finding liberation: transcending through unconditional love, finding the hope of safety to grow in.

Continue reading Fall of the Spiral Curtain – Part 1 – by Regina Sën →

Authors I-Q, Go Green

Designing a successful environmentally conscious business – by Julie Morris

What Ecopreneurship Means

For academics, diversity professionals, and cultural inclusion advocates stepping into entrepreneurship, the pull is real: build an environmentally conscious business that aligns with values while still earning serious revenue. The tension is just as real, many future entrepreneurs worry that sustainability will dilute competitiveness, raise costs, or become performative in a marketplace that rewards shortcuts. Ecopreneurs are proving a different story through green entrepreneurship that treats environmental problems as green business opportunities rather than constraints. With the right grounding, sustainable startups can become credible, profitable ventures with impact that holds up under scrutiny.

Continue reading Designing a successful environmentally conscious business – by Julie Morris →

Authors I-Q, Education

Make a Difference Through Collaborative Movements in Education – by Muhammad Usman Qazi

In recent years, much attention has been given to bridging the education gap and improving access to learning. While these efforts are essential, they represent only the beginning. The true impact of education emerges when access is combined with collaboration—when individuals, communities, and organizations come together to create meaningful and lasting change.

Continue reading Make a Difference Through Collaborative Movements in Education – by Muhammad Usman Qazi →

DL Opinion columns

Chattanooga’s Sister City in Ukraine – by Deborah Levine

originally published in The Chattanooga Times Free Press

Much excitement at City Hall on March 6 when Mayor Tim Kelly announced that the City of Chattanooga and the Ukrainian City of Trostyanets have solidified their friendship with an official Sister Cities agreement. It was amazing to be present at this Zoom signing ceremony of the documents connecting Chattanooga and Trostyanets as official Sister Cities. 

Continue reading Chattanooga’s Sister City in Ukraine – by Deborah Levine →

Advisors, Authors R-Z, Inclusion

12 Major Myths of Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) – by Mauricio Velásquez

What Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Is Not

Having worked in the field nearly 33 years now and as President, CEO, of DTG fornearly 30 years, I have confronted these myths over and over and I am constantlydebunking them. I often distribute this document prior to a diversity and inclusion-related conversation, forum or training to undo the bias about an upcoming workshop onbias (what I call bias squared).

Continue reading 12 Major Myths of Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) – by Mauricio Velásquez →

DL Opinion columns, Levine articles, War

Creative souls needed in war zones – by Deborah Levine

 ( based on column for The Chattanooga Times Free. Press)

When my hubby and I saw that Iran had bombed Bet Shemesh, a community outside of Jerusalem, we were horrified. That’s where our daughter Elana and 4 grandsons live. Photos of the decimated village and stories of nine dead in the bombing filled the news. It was 24 hours before we heard from Elana. You can imagine what a relief it was to see her post this on 

Facebook: “War has started again. Thank G-d we are all ok…” 

Continue reading Creative souls needed in war zones – by Deborah Levine →

Bermuda Jews History, Levine articles

Bermuda Christian Jewish Alliance

Interviewing Deborah Levine

BCJA (Bermuda Christian Jewish Alliance) was founded recently to stand against the global rise in antisemitism and to foster unity between the Christian and Jewish communities. The coalition brings Christians and Jews in Bermuda together to combat antisemitism and promote Holocaust education through community events, dialogue, and advocacy.
My grandfather was one of the island’s Founding 400 and we’re the only Jewish family to have lived on the island for 4 generations – going back to the early 1900s.
Here are the comments on my interview by Tony Reid, a leader of the Alliance:
“On behalf of the BCJA , I’m delighted to express our heartfelt gratitude for tonight’s captivating Zoom talk.
BCJA flyerYou were absolutely brilliant, sharing your family’s remarkable Jewish heritage and contributions, both locally and globally.
Your engaging presentation and dialogue were truly inspiring!

We’re grateful for the insights into your family’s rich history and legacy, which have undoubtedly left a lasting impact on our community and beyond.”

CLICK for Part 1 Video 

CLICK for Jews of Bermuda Article Series 

CLICK for documentary:
UNTOLD, STORIES OF A WORLD WAR II LIBERATOR

DL Opinion columns

Celebrate Goodwill Industries Day! – by Deborah Levine

originally published in The Chattanooga Times Free Press

The Grand Opening of the new East Ridge Goodwill facility on February 26 was a reminder that despite the raging anger, grief and bloodshed in a world now at war, there is also kindness, generosity and courage. With a packed parking lot, the line waiting to enter Goodwill at 8:30am on a rainy day extended around the building and beyond. Young, elderly and diverse, the folks in line looked happy and excited to be at the opening and eager to get goods at this huge new location which filled the Food City on Ringgold Road that had been empty for almost 6 years.

Goodwill was founded more than a century ago by Rev. Edgar Helms who described it as “industrial program as well as a social service enterprise…a provider of employment, training and rehabilitation for people of limited employability, and a source of temporary assistance for individuals whose resources were depleted.” According to Goodwill Industries, more than 85 cents of each dollar from purchases goes towards helping people transform potential into opportunity. An additional section of the East Ridge Goodwill is planned to help people with disadvantages find employment and earn a family-sustaining wage.

Continue reading Celebrate Goodwill Industries Day! – by Deborah Levine →