Department of Student Life presents
Dr. Jodi Merriday
Special Guest Presenter for Black History Month
Mon., Feb. 4 – Douglasville campus, 12pm – Diversity 101
Tues., Feb. 5 – Cartersville campus, 12pm – WiFM
Wed., Feb. 6 – Marietta campus, 12pm – WiFM
Thurs., Feb. 7 – Paulding Campus, 11am – Diversity 101
Thurs., Feb. 7 – Floyd Campus, 2pm – WiFM
Dr. Jodi Merriday is an engaging and charismatic Diversity and Inclusion, Title IX and Multiculturalism subject matter expert, speaker and facilitator. Over 40 Colleges and Organizations have utilized her customized curriculum for Leadership and Professional Development Programming, Corporate Affinity Group Trainings, New Student Orientations and Heritage Month Commemorations. Her most notable skills include the capacity to bridge understanding, unpack difference, increase cultural competency and facilitate dialogue about rac{ism}, sex{ism}, class{ism}, homo|trans{phobia} and able{ism}.
Dr. Merriday has over 25 years of experience in higher education. She worked as an Assistant Professor at Gordon State College, Lecturer at Spelman College, Community College of Philadelphia, Art Institute of Philadelphia and Clark Atlanta University, Adjunct Lecturer at Georgia State University, Special Assistant to the President of Spelman College and as the Assistant Director of the Georgia State University Neighborhood Collaborative.
Dr. Merriday is a member of The Association of Title IX Administrators, State of Georgia Registered Neutral and Advanced Mediator {Atlanta Justice Center}, Arbitrator {Henning Mediation and Arbitration}, Certified in the Foundations of Organizational Ombudsman Theory and Practice (International Ombudsman Association), Certified Anger Management Specialist and Fellow {National Anger Management Association}, Certified Trainer, Managing Workplace Conflict {Eckerd College} and Certified Workplace Mediator {Eckerd College}. She received her M.A. from Temple University in Sociology, M.Sc. from the London School of Economics and Political Science in Development Management and Ph.D. from Temple University in African-American Studies.
PRESENTATION TOPICS:
Mon., Feb. 4 – Douglasville campus, 12pm – Diversity 101
Thurs., Feb. 7 – Paulding Campus, 11am – Diversity 101
DIVERSITY 101: UNPACKED | UNPLUGGED
“Building Bridges to Strengthen Inclusion, Dialogue and Multiculturalism”
rac(ISM) | sex(ISM) | class(ISM) | homo/trans(phobia) | able(ISM)
Provides an overview of class{ISM}, rac{ISM}, sex{ISM}, homophobia and able{ISM} to introduce participants to content and skills that foster multicultural collaboration and bridge building. This program: 1) teaches participants five tools that can be used to cultivate cross-cultural intelligence; and 2) facilitates dialogue about controversial trending topics to explore difference, unpack prejudice and encourage respect and appreciation for diversity. Constructive engagement about diversity is encouraged to provide a safe space for intellectual growth and exploration. Participants will be trained to become social justice ambassadors and equipped with diplomacy skills that enable them to cultivate meaningful diverse social and cultural relationships. The learning outcomes of this session include: 1) increasing cultural awareness; 2) building social capital; 3) strengthening understanding, tolerance and a sense of community that appreciates difference; and 4) enabling the capacity of participants to have conversations about hot topics with sensitivity and cultural competence.
Tues., Feb. 5 – Cartersville campus, 12pm – WiFM
Wed., Feb. 6 – Marietta campus, 12pm – WiFM
Thurs., Feb. 7 – Floyd Campus, 2pm – WiFM
{WiFM} What’s In It for Me: An Exploration of {rac(ISM) | sex(ISM)
“Can use of the ‘words’ N(iggah) and B(itch) be Empowering?”
Explores rac{ISM} and sex{ISM} using Hip-Hop/Rap music. Artists are discussed that use the N- and B- words to question how language with historical connotations used inside of groups can have positive and negative implications. The pros and cons of, “codified” language and the ability of words to define communities are evaluated to assess how perception and alliances are impacted by Hip-Hop/Rap culture and music. Popular culture is used as a lens to unpack, “difference,” increase cultural literacy and engage students in critical thought. The educational outcomes of this session include: 1) increasing cultural awareness; 2) enabling understanding, tolerance and appreciation of difference; and 3) strengthening the capacity of students to have conversations about hot topics with sensitivity and cultural competency.
EXTRA CREDIT MAY APPLY! ASK YOUR INSTRUCTORS!