Black History Month – Resources for Personal Action Against Racism
In his book “How to Be an Antiracist,” Ibram X. Kendi describes an antiracist as “one who is supporting an antiracist policy through their actions or expressing an antiracist idea.”
As a team, we work continuously to expand our understanding of racism and what it means to be allies. We stand with those who bear the toxic impacts of bias and racism every day.
With this in mind, we invite you to join us not only during Black History Month but throughout the year as we work to build a more diverse, inclusive, equal, just, and antiracist society.
Please check back for additional resources throughout the month of February.
African American Museum of Bucks County
“The African American Museum of Bucks County honors the rich legacy of the African American experience, inspiring pride in our heritage, and sharing information and stories about the diverse journey of our people and our shared ancestry. Our programs and exhibits explore the history and heritage of the diverse cultures of Bucks County and beyond.”
For additional information, visit The African American Museum of Bucks County Website.
What is a Microaggression? (Part 1)
A comment or action that subtly and often unconsciously or unintentionally expresses a prejudiced attitude toward a member of a marginalized group (such as a racial minority).
For additional information, visit: Do You Understand Microaggressions and Their Impact on Diverse Groups?
Dr. Kizzmekia Corbett
Dr. Kizzmekia Corbett is a viral immunologist and pioneer in the field of healthcare. She is an Assistant Professor of Immunology and Infectious Diseases at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.
In 2021, Dr. Corbett was named one of TIME magazine’s “heroes of the year” for helping develop the mRNA-based vaccine platform that enabled the creation of innovative and highly effective COVID-19 vaccines.
To learn more about Dr. Corbett, visit: https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/profile/kizzmekia-s-corbett/
Dr. Lonnie Bristow
Dr. Lonnie Bristow is a board-certified doctor of internal medicine.
In 1995, Dr. Bristow became the first African American President of the American Medical Association (AMA) in its 148-year history. During his tenure at the AMA, he implemented ethics courses for medical professionals and worked to encourage HIV/AIDS education at home and abroad.
To learn more about Dr. Bristow, visit: https://www.blackpast.org/african-american-history/bristow-lonnie-1930/
Everyday Words and Phrases with Racist Origins
Overt racism is easy to detect and has been brought to the surface for decades. However, there are works and phrases used in every day language that speak to the history of racism in the United States.
Can you identify everyday words and phrases that have a racist origin?
For additional information, visit: Racist Language and Origins I Didn’t Always Know
Dr. Shirley Jackson
Dr. Jackson is the first African American woman to earn a doctorate at MIT.
She is responsible for monumental telecommunications research that led to the invention of products such as the touch-tone phone, portable fax, fiber optic cables, and caller ID. In 2014 President Barack Obama named her the co-chair of the President’s Intelligence Advisory.
To learn more about Dr. Jackson, visit: https://president.rpi.edu/president-biography
Dr. Mark Dean
Dr. Mark Dean is a computer scientist and engineer credited with helping develop a number of landmark technologies for IBM, including the color PC monitor and the first gigahertz chip.
He and his co-inventor also invented the Industry Standard Architecture, a microcomputer system with bus control means for peripheral processing devices. Their invention paved the way for the growth in the Information Technology industry by allowing the use of plug-in subsystems and peripherals like disk drives, video gear, speakers, and scanners.
In 1996, he was named an IBM fellow, the first African American ever to receive the honor. In 1997, he was honored with the Black Engineer of the Year President’s Award and was inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame.
To learn more about Dr. Dean, visit: https://www.biography.com/inventor/mark-dean
What is a Microaggression? (Part 2)
A comment or action that subtly and often unconsciously or unintentionally expresses a prejudiced attitude toward a member of a marginalized group (such as a racial minority).
For additional information, visit: Do You Understand Microaggressions and Their Impact on Diverse Groups?
Ramona Hood
Ramona Hood is the president and CEO of FedEx Custom Critical. She is the first African American woman to lead a FedEx operating company in the corporation’s 50-year history.
Ramona oversees the executive leadership team and is responsible for the performance and strategic direction of the company. In 2010 and 2016, Hood received the FedEx Five Star Award, which is the highest recognition employees can receive at FedEx.
She earned an Executive MBA from Case Western Reserve University Weatherhead School of Management.
To learn more about Ms. Hood, visit: https://www.fedex.com/en-us/about/leadership/ramona-hood.html
Robert F. Smith
Robert F. Smith is a business leader, an investor, a champion for diversity and inclusion and a steward of culture, the environment, equity and education.
A graduate of Columbia Business School, he entered investment banking in Mergers & Acquisitions for Goldman Sachs, starting in New York and later moving to Silicon Valley. He became the Co-Head of Enterprise Systems and Storage, where he assisted massive technology companies like Hewlett Packard, IBM, eBay and Apple with mergers and acquisitions. He was the first person at Goldman Sachs in San Francisco to focus on that specific area of financing..
He is the Founder, Chairman and CEO of Vista Equity Partners, focused on investing and partnering with leading enterprise software companies.
To learn more about Mr. Smith, visit: https://robertsmith.com/
Activism vs. Slacktivism
Who is an activist? What is slacktivism and performative activism?
What can we do to create lasting change?
For additional information, visit: https://www.furiarubel.com/news-resources/moving-beyond-slacktivism-to-create-lasting-anti-racism-change/
For more DE&I resources, please visit our Diversity, Inclusion, Equity & Anti-Racism Resource Center.
