He Said, She Said: Perspectives on Daily Living in Black and White, Lucky Church

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. Who is Lucky Church? Lucky is a Partner/PR Director at SMF Global and Director of Client Relations…

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…

How Many Bushels Am I Worth?

 ‘How Many Bushels Am I Worth?’ to Make January 2020 Debut in Providence, NYC

The play “How Many Bushels Am I Worth?” will debut in January 2020 in Providence, Rhode Island, and New York City, marking five decades since the first wave of immigration of Soviet Jews to the United States.  Through the lens of the Shklyanoys’ emigration, the play highlights a unique time in Jewish history: when establishment organizations and grass-roots advocacy groups coalesced to secure the release of Soviet Jews. 

Jewish is White

How to Act Jewish to Raise a Jewish Child

The Intercultural Communications Approach Good morning! On today’s episode of “The Pretend Jew,” our heroine waivers on hosting the Hanukkah open house in her home because her Christmas tree is still up. And who doesn’t love her confused expression every time she’s in synagogue (she doesn’t speak Hebrew!) and has no idea when to sit down! And here’s your hostess…

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…