Client Testimonials

The most valuable parts of Dr. Bailey's training were:
 - I loved the break out groups and the fact that everyone was so honest in their answers. It was also so awesome that she is connected to AmeriCorps so she understands where we are and what we are doing. It was so relatable!!
 - The frameworks for thinking.
 - Dr. Bailey's overall framework for inclusivity and the opportunity to hear and discuss how other program staff create welcoming and responsive programs for BIPOC members.
 - I absolutely LOVED the Inclusive Leadership training today. Building trust with members is extremely important to my Program Manager approach and can see this being beneficial to all Program Managers within Ampact. I especially loved hearing from other staff/PMs how they build trust within their cohort.
 - Although everyone has the potential to lead in respect to DEI, this is my first position where I am directly managing others and therefore benefit hugely from topics such as these to inform my organizational leadership.  - Thank you Dr. Bailey for your labor of love!
 - The slides were amazing! I felt the most valuable part was listening to the questions people had and the feedback they received.
 - Getting recommendations from Dr. Bailey on what is required from AmeriCorps staff leadership in pushing through status quo and setting an example in leadership and listening to members to support them in their growth.

"To me, the most impactful aspect of the DEI conversation with Dr. Bailey was that it was empowering and sobering at the same time. Other DEI trainings have been heavy on definitions and injustices that are waiting to be solved. This has its place, no doubt. Although, it can be emotionally draining, especially when many of the injustices discussed are a living reality. 

 As Dr. Bailey come in, she began with the perspective that we are all colonizers (by choice or not). This was sobering and also brought a sense of unity from the beginning for many of us. Obviously, the ways that we desire to connect and find commonalities are not on topics like colonization and being under the oppression of unjust systems, yet, the tone of the room was set in a way that told everyone, “There is something to learn here”. Regardless of the fact that my ancestors did not come here by choice, I still know that they had been stripped from their own sacred space just to take up someone else’s. 

 After this, the time was spent reflecting on who we are, not as much as what has happened to us. While these coexist, oftentimes my experience with DEI jumps into the pain, asking “What we do to survive the realities that exist”, rather than asking, “What’s left to celebrate? What good has come through the pain? Has beauty been birthed through ashes?” I believe the answer is yes, at least for my context. 

 I was able to sit and hear about the cultures of others around me. So many of them love the ocean and have a cultural meaning to it that I did not know. I learned that the meaning of their names has deep origins and that they were named intentionally by people other than their parents. I could share that my family helped to establish the neighborhood that I live in and how the construction of I-94 ripped that community in half years ago. Little would I have known that being in sunlight means a lot not just to me, but to many sitting around me, all for different reasons. Our contexts are beautiful and different, and they overlap. Family is important to all of us. Where we come from (familiar or not) means something. I admire that others around me know where they come from. I can try and find where I come from on Ancestry.com but have no one to welcome me if I were to go to those places. Others do. All of it is part of the story. With that, the questions that I believe should be reflected upon should make space for the celebration in the midst of the pain. 

I’m more aware of that now in Black History Month. On the white board in my office I have written, “Happy Black History Month! 1. Learn: books, websites and movies. 2. Listen: stories, music and voices. 3. Love: honor people, celebrate and mourn.” The coexistence of the light and darkness of the past matters. It all goes together, and the balance is empowering and provides the energy to enter back into the difficult spaces. Questions that reflect that seem to make for more robust conversations and open the door for different stories to have a place at the table too." - Attendee from College Possible Coach Retreat