What Stands Between Us, Diversity Conversation Flash Cards

How many levels of judgment do you experience before you even speak? Starting with a visit to the doctor’s office, Lucky and Deanna share their honest perspectives on daily living in the US, as a Black man and a White woman. Lucky and Deanna will ask each other questions and share personal experiences, and also…

Illinois Chiefs of Police Engaging with Communities to Build Trust

The February 2018 issues of Command, The Official Publication of the Illinois Chiefs of Police, talks about their work to advance dialogue with communities of color. Mountains of statistics and studies tilting in law enforcement’s favor haven’t resolved much in the national discourse as police have tried to build bridges to minority communities in recent…

International Women’s Day at Praxair

International Women’s Day planning committee at Praxair in Burr Ridge (l to r) Elizabeth Supple, Chris Ranous, Erika Rogozinski, speaker Deanna Shoss, Joe Abdoo, Kristen Alcazaren, and Ann Klochan.  International Women’s Day (IWD) was celebrated in force this March. For my colleagues from Serbia and Russia, they can remember celebrating this special day since they…

Brazil Exchange:  Not our “Poor Brethren to the South”

For anyone who knows me, reading this title you are probably thinking “what the H.E-double hockey sticks…your husband is from Brazil!” Yes, but historically US State Department programs, such is this one coordinated locally through World Chicago, and in particular one’s from Partners of the Americas, (which focuses on exchanges just in this hemisphere), have been…

Middle East North Africa: One Size Does Not Fit All

I love, love, love, Thanksgiving. So when World Chicago said they needed Thanksgiving hosts for a “multicultural group,” we were in. World Chicago “promotes citizen diplomacy.” Essentially, World Chicago makes the local arrangements for travelers who are on professional and educational exchanges (“to advance national security, economic development and social justice”) funded by the US…