Blog

Presentation Highlights (what can the audience expect to learn or take away?):  Why it’s important to be specific in identifying and addressing race equity in your diversity goals.  How to be intentional in this work and sustainability

D&I Resources, Recommendations, & Inspiration

Book White Fragility by Dr. Robin D’Angelo; So You Want to Talk about Race by Ijeoma Oluo; I’m Still Here by Austin Channing Brown

Other Media (podcast, show, social, publication): Podcasts: Unlocking Us- Brene Brown; Still Processing; Read articles- The Curb Effect by Angela Glover Blackwell; A Gardener’s Tale by Camara Phyllis Jones

Advice for someone starting, or continuing, on their D&I journey: The D & I journey is just that, a journey. Viewing this work as a destination to arrive to will only result on frustration. There will always be more to learn and opportunity to grow in this work.

About Kelly

Short Bio:

Kelly D. Dumas, LCSW is a licensed clinical social worker and has over 19 years of experience working in human services. Kelly is currently employed with BestSelf Behavioral Health in Buffalo, NY where she is the Chief Operating Officer. In her role as Chief Operating Officer she provides administrative and clinical oversight to all agency programs, including more than 1100 staff with a budget of $90+ million. As Chairperson of the agency’s Racial Equity and Inclusion Committee, Kelly spearheads critical initiatives that continue to make BestSelf a leading employer in Western New York. Kelly earned her Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University at Buffalo and her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology and English from Emory University. Kelly is also an adjunct professor at UB School of Social Work. She enjoys singing- particularly praise and worship, reading, and spending time with her husband, Reggie, and two children, Denise and Dennis.