Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Series Hosted by the Illinois Park & Recreation Association
The Illinois Park & Recreation Association (IPRA) and the Illinois Park & Recreation Foundation (IPRF) are proud to offer a three-part series on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). In partnership with the IPRA Diversity Leadership Taskforce, LaTonya Wilkins, a leader of change management and founder of The Change Coaches, LLC has teamed up with IPRA and its partners to offer a two-part panel interview and keynote presentation about diversity, social inequity, and inclusion. Joining LaTonya is a diverse and distinguished panel of professionals that includes Michelle Mason, President and CEO of Association Forum, Kimberly Mosley, President of the American Specialty Toy Retailing Association, Dr. Augustus Hallmon, professor for Northwest Missouri State University, and Dr. Jeremy Robinett, professor for Western Illinois University.
The panel will dig deep down to talk about personal and professional experiences with racism and the Black Lives Matter movement to provide perspectives from diverse backgrounds. Included will be discussion about resources and next steps to help participants navigate through these social complexities.
The keynote will recap learning from the conversations and discuss the current U.S. climate, evolution of DEI and unconscious bias, need for promoting equity as an ally, and the importance of committing to diversity, equity, and inclusion to promote long-term, systemic change.
IPRA has long been dedicated to issues related to diversity. The IPRA Diversity Section, formerly known as the Ethnic Minority Section, has existed for 32 years, and joined IPRA as a section 17 years ago. In 2013, IPRA conducted research related to glass ceiling issues and formed a Commonality in Diversity scholarship for park and recreation professionals to pursue specific professional development courses. In 2014, IPRA directed funds to conduct research related to barriers to a diverse workforce in parks and recreation in Illinois. In 2019, the Diversity Leadership Task Force was formed, focused on looking at ways to advance professionals, coming from diverse backgrounds, to higher levels in their careers; to provide resources for agencies who wish to do better in the areas of diversity and inclusion; and to incentivize agencies to do so through a new agency-based award. As our country faces social justice issues, it is more important than ever that we support our diverse membership, create an open dialogue to engage everyone in the conversation, and that we take time to better understand each other's unique perspectives.
'IPRA is conducting this three-part educational series on diversity related issues, and our Task Force is also hosting and facilitating "Safe Zone Conversations (SZC)" for park and recreation agencies and their staff to again engage in an open dialogue to better understand each other. The first round of SZC have been racism focused and LGBTQ focused talks will be coming soon. The facilitators are volunteering their time, and we ask hosting agencies to donate, to the IPRF Diversity Education Fund to help us offer more diversity-related educational programs in the future. Diversity and inclusion-related resources for agencies are available in the members-only section of our website. IPRA values diversity, and we continue to support listening and healing, across our membership.' - Debbie Trueblood, IPRA Executive Director.
All three events are proudly sponsored by the Illinois Park and Recreation Foundation and offered in partnership with the Illinois Association of Park Districts, Park District Risk Management Agency, Women In Leisure Services, the Illinois AfterSchool Network and Illinois Parks Association Risk Services (IPARKS).
Additional information can be found on the IPRA website, ILipra.org.