UVAFinance Inclusive Excellence Updates

Contributed by Patty Marbury

As part of our new Diversity Equity Inclusion (DEI) Learning, Development, and Support Program, we are rolling out several opportunities for expanding knowledge, discussing critical topics, and broadening experiences. Books, videos, movies, and articles provide an invaluable perspective and a basis for critical discussions.

First Sprint Discussion  

On Thursday, July 16, about 50 UVAFinance colleagues participated in the first of our “UVAFinance Talks” sprint discussions. We’re calling them “sprint” discussions from Jim Ryan’s suggestion that efforts toward racial equity at UVA is “more of a sprint than a marathon.” These “sprints," which we’re going to have every other week, offer the opportunity for safe and productive conversations. 

The first discussion was based on episode 2 of the video series, Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Man, by Emmanuel Acho. Episode 2 is a short, but informative, video with Matthew McConaughey, where they discuss “White Allergies” among other topics. These discussions are completely optional, but we hope that you will make time to join them. Please work with your manger to see if this can fit within your work schedule as you would any professional development activity.

Please complete this short survey about the sprint discussion: https://virginia.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_74B5lMNFGc0yT6R

The sprint discussions are open to all UVAFinance employees. If you are interested in setting up discussions in your area, please contact Patty Marbury or ToShun Campbell and they would be happy to share best tips for productive conversations and ideas for topics.

Monthly Book Discussion

We are also hosting a monthly Inclusive Excellence discussion on a book, movie, or documentary. First up is “Master of the Mountain: Thomas Jefferson and His Slaves” by Henry Wiencek, which we will discuss Thursday, August 20 at 2:00. To join this discussion, register in Workday Learning. We will provide a copy to the first 4 registrants. After the discussion, these books will be available for all to check out from the UVAFinance library. These discussions are open to all UVA employees.

To help pick the next IE book and video selections, complete this survey to rank your interest in discussing the following books and videos and provide your own recommended resources.

For Further Reading

How to be Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi

Stamped from the Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America by Ibram X. Kendi

White Fragility: Why It's So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism by Robin D'Angelo

So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo

Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates

The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness by Michelle Alexander

Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson

Waking Up White (and Finding Myself in the Story of Race) by Debby Irving

Blind Spot: Hidden Biases of Good People by Mahzarin R. Banaji and Anthony G. Greenwald

The Person You Mean to Be by Dolly Chugh

Me and White Supremacy by Layla F. Saad

The Wretched of the Earth by Frantz Fanon

For Further Viewing

Selma

13th

Just Mercy

The Hate U Give

12 Years a Slave

If Beale Street Could Talk

Fruitvale Station

When They See Us


For more information or to share suggestions and feedback, feel free to Patty Marbury.

We would love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!