Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Articles
Jingle & Mingle
Tuesday, December 14th Student Services and the Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion hosted the Jingle & Mingle. A wonderful time was had by all, and the event could not have happened without the involvement of the following individuals who made up the Jingle & Mingle ensemble: Alex Hazen, Dr. Alicia…
Reflecting on 2021
When I started at Pittsburgh Technical College in February 2021, I never expected to accomplish as much as I have in one year. Under the illustrious leadership of President, Dr. Alicia B. Harvey-Smith, and a supportive Board of Trustees, the Office of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion emerged as a beacon of…
The Surprising Value of Transcription and Text Equivalency
One of the core tenants of digital accessibility is that all meaningful visual information (photos, artwork, videos, etc.) should have equivalent text. Most often, this comes in the form of alt tags—a hidden field that contains information about the image being displayed on the page—or in the form of a written…
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The Celebration of Kwanzaa
Official Kwanzaa Website Kwanzaa is a weeklong celebration held in the United States that honors African heritage in African American culture. Kwanzaa is observed from December 26 to January 1 and culminates in gift giving and a big feast. Kwanzaa has seven core principles, or Nguzo Saba, as follows: 1. Umoja (oo–MO–jah):…
December 1, World AIDS Day
One of my favorite groups is TLC. Their song, “Waterfalls,” was released in 1995. I remember hearing the song and listening to the lyrics. And in 1996, I recall listening to an interview during which the performers discussed the lyrics to the song and its relevance in bringing attention to the…
It’s the Holiday Season
Hanukkah, or the Festival of Lights. This is an eight-day celebration that commemorates the re-dedication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem. The celebration centers around the lighting of the eight candles on the Menorah while reciting traditional blessings. Children will play with a dreidel, a four-sided top bearing four Hebrew letters.…
PTC’s Student Ambassador Program Refreshed
PTC’s student ambassador program has been refreshed. Under the guidance of Marsha N. Lindsay, Crystal Wamalwa, Sloan Spinks, and Mercedes Major, PTC Ambassadors will serve in a variety of capacities including assisting with open houses, orientations, and private campus tours, as well as serving as greeters for special events, and more.…
Pancreatic Cancer and Gastric Cancer Awareness
November is Pancreatic Cancer and Gastric Cancer Awareness month: I wear purple and periwinkle in November but carry hope for the cause every day. The world is in chaos as people continue to struggle to make sense of the global pandemic. However, the pandemic is not the only illness that is…
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What is Imposter Syndrome?
In recognition of World Mental Health Day, I want to shed light on Imposter Syndrome. Throughout my participation in various committees, online courses, and even PTC’s DEI meetings, Imposter Syndrome (Phenomena) has been framed as an “underrepresented in college issue.” The underrepresented may be affected in greater numbers, but imposter syndrome…
City of Asylum an Employee Recommendation
The City of Asylum is a unique place in the North Side, their mission is as follows: “City of Asylum @ Alphabet City is a hub for Pittsburgh’s readers and writers, jazz and small-scale music and performance, and artistic experimentation. It is a home for diverse voices from around the globe—a place…
What’s in a name? The significance of gender pronouns
Romeo & Juliet by William Shakespeare is arguably one of the greatest romance stories in history. It is the story of two star-crossed lovers destined for heartbreak because they were not supposed to fall in love. One of the most famous scenes in the play is on the balcony when Juliet says, ‘A…
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Futureproofing through Digital Accessibility
I have noticed even people who claim everything is predestined, and that we can do nothing to change it, look before they cross the road.- Stephen Hawking Change, especially when it comes to technology, is inevitable. Software updates occur daily. We expect yearly new releases for our favorite phones and laptops.…
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Safe Spaces in a Name
I’ve gone by many names in my lifetime: Mercedes, Sadie, Major, Jean. I first changed my name when I was adopted, and I’m sure I’ll change it again when I’m married. Working in student affairs and being a Black woman, I’ve noticed that names are extremely important in recognizing a person…
Welcoming All Genders to the Classroom
When responding to a recent student email questioning how to calculate averages in a database, I almost made a big mistake. The mistake wasn’t in the calculation, but in the presentation. I had planned to demonstrate how the data, in this case average student grades, could be grouped by gender, which…
Native American Day – An Uncelebrated Holiday
September 24 is Native American Day. It is a day designed to celebrate the culture of the Native Americans and their contributions to states and our country, and it is a holiday celebrated in several states across our country, but not in Pennsylvania. Our country has historically marginalized and neglected our…
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History of the Black Heritage Flag
For centuries people around the world have waved the flags of their countries, often to display a sense of pride for where they came from. As a child, Melvin Charles attended a parade where he witnessed numerous floats upon which organizations represented their home countries, and the flag that most captured…
Depression
When I woke up this morning, I did not see the sun. I thought I was dreaming. I closed my eyes and opened them to realize it was not a dream. My depression kidnapped the sun and is holding it for ransom. Depression said, “even if you pay the ransom, you’ll…
Juneteenth
Freedom. I am of the position that freedom is more a state of mind than a state of being. It must therefore be celebrated regularly to be actualized in the life of the free and exercised by means of shared celebration with and among the community of the free. The right…
The Power of Kindness
Growing up in Birmingham, England, diversity and inclusion were part of my everyday life. My neighbors were from different cultural backgrounds including Asian, Caucasian, and multi-ethnic. My aunt was married to a Caucasian man and my cousins were biracial. I remember visiting my aunt and seeing various skin tones, and that…
Music & Lyrics
Song Lyrics Music as an art form has historically been able to explore and commentate on the social issues of its time. Music from as far back as the Middle Ages has been used as an outlet. Ring around the Rosies, that you likely sang in preschool, has its roots in…
Ride for Kids: A Very Special Group of Stars
I was raised in a house full of Teamsters. I ride a Harley. My husband and I started a motorcycle association promoting unions and unionism, with the mission to ride our motorcycles and raise money for people and organizations in need. The Pediatric Brain Tumor Ride, aka “Ride for Kids,” is…
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Autism: Navigating a New World, Learning a New Language
Just before my oldest son’s third birthday, after a 10-month stint on a wait list, he was diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD). I was told that he may never talk, to keep him away from pools because ASD kids are 160 times more likely to drown, and was handed…
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What is Diversity and what is a Minority?
Dr. Harvey-Smith shared a vision with PTC, and with that vision, the Strategic Plan was born. There are many steps within the plan that will lead PTC to a higher standard. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion particularly come into play with Strategic Direction 2: Expanding Access. While we focus on expanding access,…