2023 DEI Symposium: Meet Rolanda Ward, Speaker
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May 1, 2023
The BNP is pleased to welcome Rolanda L. Ward, Ph.D., MSW, MDiv at Niagara University as a speaker for the 2023 DEI Symposium.
We will be helping you get to know each presenter, panelist, and moderator in the weeks ahead, leading up to the 6th Annual D&I Symposium on June 1st – get your tickets here.
Presentation Highlights (What can the audience expect to learn or take away?):
We will discuss examples of, reasons for, and the impact of DEI Retrenchment. Then explore how to right the DEI ship!
DEI Resources, Recommendations, & Inspiration:
- Book: Black Fatigue
- Person: Mary-Frances Winters
- Other media (podcast, show, social, publication):Â hbr.org/2016/07/why-diversity-programs-fail Why diversity programs fail. Frank Dobbin and Alexandra Kalev
More about Rolanda:
Dr. Rolanda L. Ward has been an associate professor at Niagara University since 2015. In August 2017, she was named endowed faculty director of Niagara University’s Rose Bente Lee Ostapenko Center for Race, Equity, and Mission. She also serves as director of the university’s Vincentian Scholars Program.Â
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Dr. Ward earned her doctorate in social work and sociology from Boston University. As a macro-trained practitioner and a research scholar, she has been the lead investigator or research associate on a number of studies focusing on society's most vulnerable, underserved, proven-risk, and oppressed populations and communities. In addition, Dr. Ward has led projects in communities and within organizations that shift status quo outcomes. Additionally, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Ward is leading and or has served on several task forces in order to advocate for community needs. These task forces include The Niagara Falls Health Equity Task Force; the New York State Health Equity Task Force: Western New York Vaccine Hub; The Western New York Dignity Equity Coalition; the Niagara County Suicide Prevention Coalition Training and Education Subcommittee; and the Western New York COVID-19 Collaborative.Â
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Dr. Ward is also a member of the board of directors at MENTOR New York, The Aquarium of Niagara Falls, Community Missions, Inc., Peaceprints of WNY, the Education Collaborative of WNY, and Catholic Health Systems. Dr. Ward co-led the university’s Identifying and Dismantling Racial Injustice Task Force. As a teacher-scholar, Dr. Ward is committed to helping students identify community injustices and also helping students discover how they can partner with stakeholders to promote real solutions.Â
2023 DEI Symposium Microsession: Maintaining Momentum in the Face of D&I Fatigue
Rolanda L. Ward, Ph.D., MSW, MDiv, Niagara University, will explain how DEI fatigue has crept into business and what can be done to keep your plan on track.
General
Attend the 2023 DEI Symposium
Our 6th Annual Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Symposium will feature national experts on D&I sharing their knowledge on subjects such as building an inclusive culture, and the best practices, cultural assessments, and dimensions of diversity.
KEYNOTE: Sandra Quince, Paradigm for Parity CEO, Bank of America Leader on Loan
This event will feature workshops and break-out sessions with actionable next steps for attendees to take away.
Thursday, June 1, 2023
8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. EDT
Register to Attend Here
See Full Event Details & Agenda Here
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