Book Club
Belonging without Othering
Our first ever virtual book club is over!
We spent the summer and autumn of 2024 reading and discussing Belonging without Othering by john a. powell and Stephen Menendian as a community here on OBI University. While the book club is over, you can read more and revisit the content below. Stay tuned for more book clubs soon.
Each month, we focused on a new book chapter, delving deep into its content through close readings, seminar-style discussions, and workshops facilitated by expert thinkers, including the authors. Learners interacted with fellow community in breakout sessions and on the discussion boards.
The book club helped generate a comprehensive understanding of the concept of ‘othering’ and how to foster a sense of ‘belonging’ in one's own life. Belonging without Othering isn't just theoretical — it’s a practical guide for those passionate about social justice, community development, and creating a more inclusive society.
Revisit the book club outline below and order a copy of the book here!
Each month, we focused on a new book chapter, delving deep into its content through close readings, seminar-style discussions, and workshops facilitated by expert thinkers, including the authors. Learners interacted with fellow community in breakout sessions and on the discussion boards.
The book club helped generate a comprehensive understanding of the concept of ‘othering’ and how to foster a sense of ‘belonging’ in one's own life. Belonging without Othering isn't just theoretical — it’s a practical guide for those passionate about social justice, community development, and creating a more inclusive society.
Revisit the book club outline below and order a copy of the book here!
The book club consists of three parts:
Chapter discussions
LIVE + SYNCHRONOUS
Step into a virtual lecture hall. Facilitators will lead learners in live sessions focused on the key concepts, arguments, and practices introduced in a chapter.
These sessions occur on specific Wednesdays at 12pm Pacific Time on Zoom.
These sessions occur on specific Wednesdays at 12pm Pacific Time on Zoom.
Study sessions and Q&As
LIVE + SYNCHRONOUS
Collaborate with other learners. Book club participants get to transform the learning dynamic by engaging with one another. Pose your questions, refine your arguments, and challenge your understandings in dialogue with others.
These sessions take place on some Wednesdays at 12pm Pacific Time on Zoom.
These sessions take place on some Wednesdays at 12pm Pacific Time on Zoom.
Pre-activities, further readings, and discussion boards
SELF-PACED + ASYNCHRONOUS
Study at your own pace. Expand your learning by connecting the book to other texts, and by connecting to other learners on the discussion boards. Share your questions and thoughts whenever you want.
Click on “Discussion space” in the outline for each chapter.
Click on “Discussion space” in the outline for each chapter.
The Othering & Belonging Institute at UC Berkeley brings together researchers, organizers, stakeholders, communicators, and policymakers to identify and eliminate the barriers to an inclusive, just, and sustainable society in order to create transformative change.
Copyright © 2023, Othering & Belonging Institute at UC Berkeley
Ashlin Malouf-Gashaw is the Deputy Director of Strategy and Program at the Othering and Belonging Institute. She is driven by the growth and development of people, teams, and systems. Whether in the role of mediator, community organizer, coach, executive director, or chief of staff, she has led by inviting people into liberatory practices of dialogue, bridging, authenticity, and power building. From her experience, when courageous conversation, storytelling, vulnerability, and self-reflection are paired with concrete and coordinated strategies, progress is made.
Since 2006, Ashlin has worked in a variety of capacities with the Faith in Action Network (previously the PICO National Network), equipping those closest to the pain with the tools and strategies to make structural change. She began as a Community Organizer in Colorado, then returned to her hometown of Sacramento where she served as the Executive Director of Sacramento ACT. Most recently, Ashlin was the Chief Formation Officer and then Chief of Staff with PICO California. During her tenure in organizing, she worked on countless campaigns including healthcare access, community benefits agreements, reinvestment of public funds, moving from punitive to restorative practices, immigration reform, and affordable housing, to name a few.
Ashlin received her BA in Political Science and Social Change and Development, and her MA in International Conflict Resolution. She lives in Sacramento with her husband Theodros and her 2 children Kayden and Davin.
Read more about her work here.
Read more about her work here.
Ashlin
Malouf-Gashaw
Ashlin is our guide to the upcoming course on Targeted Universalism. She also appears inBridging 2: A Conversation with Ashlin Malouf-Gashaw
Bridging 3: Two Studies of Bridging Across Power
Bridging 3: Two Studies of Bridging Across Power
john a. powell (who spells his name in lowercase in the belief that we should be "part of the universe, not over it, as capitals signify") is an internationally recognized expert in the areas of civil rights, civil liberties, structural racism, housing, poverty, and democracy. He is the Director of the Othering & Belonging Institute at the University of California, Berkeley, a research institute that brings together scholars, community advocates, communicators, and policymakers to identify and eliminate the barriers to an inclusive, just, and sustainable society and to create transformative change toward a more equitable world.
john holds the Robert D. Haas Chancellor’s Chair in Equity and Inclusion and is a Professor of Law, African American Studies, and Ethnic Studies at UC Berkeley. Previously, he was the Executive Director of the Kirwan Institute for the Study of Race and Ethnicity at The Ohio State University where he also held the Gregory H. Williams Chair in Civil Rights & Civil Liberties at the Moritz College of Law. He has won several awards including the 2021 Housing Hero Award, 2021 John W. Gardner Leadership Award, and the Convergence Bridge-Building Leadership Award for 2022.
He regularly appears in major media offering expert insights on a host of issues. Recent appearances include NPR and WYNC's On The Media in an episode about free speech and the constitution, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver in an episode about housing segregation, and CBS Evening News where john discussed the Institute's frameworks like Targeted Universalism. john gives frequent keynotes talks at a range of institutions such as the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, Washington State University, the Office of the Minnesota Attorney General, Nonprofit Quarterly, Project Democracy, the Gates Foundation, Habitat for Humanity, the InterFaith Leadership Council, the Permanente Medical Group, and many more.
john has written extensively on a number of issues including structural racism, racial justice, concentrated poverty, opportunity-based housing, voting rights, affirmative action in the United States, South Africa and Brazil, racial and ethnic identity, spirituality and social justice, and the needs of citizens in a democratic society. He is the author of several books, including his most recent work, Racing to Justice: Transforming our Concepts of Self and Other to Build an Inclusive Society.
The founder and director of the Institute on Race and Poverty at the University of Minnesota, john has also served as Director of Legal Services in Miami, Florida and was the National Legal Director of the American Civil Liberties Union, where he was instrumental in developing educational adequacy theory. john led the development of an “opportunity-based” model that connects affordable housing to education, health, health care, and employment and is well-known for his work developing the frameworks of “targeted universalism” and “othering and belonging” to effect equity-based interventions.
john has lived and worked in Africa, where he was a consultant to the governments of Mozambique and South Africa, and has also worked in India and Brazil. He is one of the co-founders of the Poverty & Race Research Action Council and serves on the board of several national and international organizations. He is also a member of the New Pluralists. john has taught at numerous law schools including Harvard and Columbia University.
Follow john on Twitter @profjohnapowell and read his blogs on HuffPo.
john a. powell (who spells his name in lowercase in the belief that we should be "part of the universe, not over it, as capitals signify") is an internationally recognized expert in the areas of civil rights, civil liberties, structural racism, housing, poverty, and democracy. He is the Director of the Othering & Belonging Institute at the University of California, Berkeley, a research institute that brings together scholars, community advocates, communicators, and policymakers to identify and eliminate the barriers to an inclusive, just, and sustainable society and to create transformative change toward a more equitable world.
john holds the Robert D. Haas Chancellor’s Chair in Equity and Inclusion and is a Professor of Law, African American Studies, and Ethnic Studies at UC Berkeley. Previously, he was the Executive Director of the Kirwan Institute for the Study of Race and Ethnicity at The Ohio State University where he also held the Gregory H. Williams Chair in Civil Rights & Civil Liberties at the Moritz College of Law. He has won several awards including the 2021 Housing Hero Award, 2021 John W. Gardner Leadership Award, and the Convergence Bridge-Building Leadership Award for 2022.
john holds the Robert D. Haas Chancellor’s Chair in Equity and Inclusion and is a Professor of Law, African American Studies, and Ethnic Studies at UC Berkeley. Previously, he was the Executive Director of the Kirwan Institute for the Study of Race and Ethnicity at The Ohio State University where he also held the Gregory H. Williams Chair in Civil Rights & Civil Liberties at the Moritz College of Law. He has won several awards including the 2021 Housing Hero Award, 2021 John W. Gardner Leadership Award, and the Convergence Bridge-Building Leadership Award for 2022.
He regularly appears in major media offering expert insights on a host of issues. Recent appearances include NPR and WYNC's On The Media in an episode about free speech and the constitution, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver in an episode about housing segregation, and CBS Evening News where john discussed the Institute's frameworks like Targeted Universalism. john gives frequent keynotes talks at a range of institutions such as the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, Washington State University, the Office of the Minnesota Attorney General, Nonprofit Quarterly, Project Democracy, the Gates Foundation, Habitat for Humanity, the InterFaith Leadership Council, the Permanente Medical Group, and many more.
john has written extensively on a number of issues including structural racism, racial justice, concentrated poverty, opportunity-based housing, voting rights, affirmative action in the United States, South Africa and Brazil, racial and ethnic identity, spirituality and social justice, and the needs of citizens in a democratic society. He is the author of several books, including his most recent work, Racing to Justice: Transforming our Concepts of Self and Other to Build an Inclusive Society.
The founder and director of the Institute on Race and Poverty at the University of Minnesota, john has also served as Director of Legal Services in Miami, Florida and was the National Legal Director of the American Civil Liberties Union, where he was instrumental in developing educational adequacy theory. john led the development of an “opportunity-based” model that connects affordable housing to education, health, health care, and employment and is well-known for his work developing the frameworks of “targeted universalism” and “othering and belonging” to effect equity-based interventions.
john has lived and worked in Africa, where he was a consultant to the governments of Mozambique and South Africa, and has also worked in India and Brazil. He is one of the co-founders of the Poverty & Race Research Action Council and serves on the board of several national and international organizations. He is also a member of the New Pluralists. john has taught at numerous law schools including Harvard and Columbia University.
Follow john on Twitter @profjohnapowell and read his blogs on HuffPo.
john has written extensively on a number of issues including structural racism, racial justice, concentrated poverty, opportunity-based housing, voting rights, affirmative action in the United States, South Africa and Brazil, racial and ethnic identity, spirituality and social justice, and the needs of citizens in a democratic society. He is the author of several books, including his most recent work, Racing to Justice: Transforming our Concepts of Self and Other to Build an Inclusive Society.
The founder and director of the Institute on Race and Poverty at the University of Minnesota, john has also served as Director of Legal Services in Miami, Florida and was the National Legal Director of the American Civil Liberties Union, where he was instrumental in developing educational adequacy theory. john led the development of an “opportunity-based” model that connects affordable housing to education, health, health care, and employment and is well-known for his work developing the frameworks of “targeted universalism” and “othering and belonging” to effect equity-based interventions.
john has lived and worked in Africa, where he was a consultant to the governments of Mozambique and South Africa, and has also worked in India and Brazil. He is one of the co-founders of the Poverty & Race Research Action Council and serves on the board of several national and international organizations. He is also a member of the New Pluralists. john has taught at numerous law schools including Harvard and Columbia University.
Follow john on Twitter @profjohnapowell and read his blogs on HuffPo.
john a.
powell
john guides our Introduction to Othering & Belonging's Key Frameworks course.
Additionally, he appears in the courses named below.
Bridging 1: The Risk & Possibility of Bridging, john a. powell and Judith Butler in conversation
Bridging 2: john a. powell on power and john a. powell on levels of bridging
Structural Racism: White Space, Black Hood
Bridging 2: john a. powell on power and john a. powell on levels of bridging
Structural Racism: White Space, Black Hood
Mónica Guzmán is Senior Fellow for Public Practice at Braver Angels, a nonprofit working to depolarize America, founder and CEO of Reclaim Curiosity, an organization working to build a more curious world; and author of I Never Thought Of It That Way: How to Have Fearlessly Curious Conversations in Dangerously Divided Times.
Moni is the inaugural McGurn Fellow at the University of Florida, working with researchers at the UF College of Journalism and Communications and beyond to better understand ways to employ techniques described in her book to boost understanding. She was a 2019 fellow at the Henry M. Jackson Foundation, where she studied social and political division, and a 2016 fellow at the Nieman Foundation for Journalism at Harvard University, where she studied how journalists can better meet the needs of a participatory public.
Her work has been featured in The New York Times, the Glenn Beck Podcast, Reader's Digest, BookTV, and EconTalk, and she is an advisor for Starts With Us and the Generations Over Dinner project.
Before committing to the project of helping people understand each other across the political divide, Mónica cofounded the award-winning Seattle newsletter The Evergrey and led a national network of groundbreaking local newsletters as VP of Local for WhereBy.Us.
She was named one of the 50 most influential women in Seattle, served twice as a juror for the Pulitzer Prizes, and plays a barbarian named Shadrack in her besties' Dungeons & Dragons campaign.
Visit her website to learn more about her work.
Sarah Crowell is a dancer and choreographer who has taught dance, theater, mindfulness and violence prevention for over 35 years. She recently left her position as the Artistic Director at Destiny Arts Center in Oakland where she served in different capacities including Executive Director for 30 years. She founded and co-directed the Destiny Arts Youth Performance Company, which was the subject of two documentary films, and won the National Arts & Humanities Youth Program Award. Sarah has facilitated arts integration, violence prevention, cultural humility and team building professional development sessions with artists and educators since 2000, both locally and nationally. She is the recipient of many awards including the KPFA Peace award, the KQED Women’s History Local Hero award, and the National Guild for Community Arts Education Milestone award. She is a four-time finalist for a Tony Award for Excellence in Theater Education.
Ashley Gallegos works as the Belonging Coordinator at the Othering and Belonging Institute at UC Berkeley. Her work is at the intersection of belonging research, application, and societal change. Ashley’s work centers the application of OBI’s unique conception of belonging which is rooted in both the feeling or sense of belonging and the necessary structural design for belonging. Ashley works closely with the director of the Institute to advance initiatives of belonging, currently focusing on Places of Belonging. This initiative works with high impact collaborators nationally and internationally to align and advance belonging in varying contexts.
Ashley creates and circulates belonging educational materials, amplifies belonging practices in motion, and uses her understanding of the Institutes frames of Belonging, Bridging and Targeted Universalism to support initiatives. Ashley engages in complex considerations of how belonging moves with and positively contributes to our world's biggest necessary shifts like that of global human rights, climate justice, cross-movement alignment and much more. Ashley is one of three co-facilitators at Belonging a Weekly Practice, a free, low barrier virtual belonging space open to all. Registration information for the sessions is available here
Before working with OBI, Ashley worked within public health and healthcare to advance health equity and racial equity in application. She directed state wide equity coalitions and believes in the power of network models to co-create momentum beyond any one entity's capacity.
While born in Southern California, Ashley was raised in Belen, NM, grew as an adult in Denver, CO, and found her way to the place where her spirit feels aligned in Oakland, CA. In her free time, Ashley enjoys spending time with loved ones, building community, experiencing and contributing to the arts, reading, being near water and maintaining a spiritual groundedness.
Occupation, field of work, or area of interest
Applied research and evaluation, currently in philanthropy (San Francisco Foundation).
Goals for the book club
Deepen my understanding of OBI's work, learn from others in community, and generate ideas of how to put learnings from Belonging without Othering into practice in my personal and professional life.
Kara Fedje
About Me
Create, cultivate, and connect people, ideas, and spaces to advance equity, inclusion, diversity, and access for, by, and with all people so we have a community with a shared sense of belonging.
Occupation, field of work, or area of interest
Belonging for LGBTQIA+ families. Research/evaluation/informal education with nonprofits and museums.
Goals for the book club
Hearing new concepts, new authors and relevant readings, and connecting with others who have similar goals to advance belonging in our local and global communities.
About Me
I was born and raised in Austin, TX and feel a strong affinity and connection to this place. I am lucky in that I grew up with a strong community of caregivers and friends. I struggle with living in Texas due to the policies, actions, and politics of our state government that deeply harm people. I enjoy people and learning in general. I live in a mushy tension of possibility and integrity. Currently, I am working on my "gathering skills" and my listening skills.
Occupation, field of work, or area of interest
My experience is in school social work, social emotional learning in education, and organizing for equity/justice in education. Currently, I work in Research and Planning for Health and Human Services in Travis County, Texas (Austin, TX)
Goals for the book club
I am interested in how to weave the work from the Othering and Belonging Institute into my work as a Planner for Health and Human Services. I am especially interested in targeted universalism.
About Me
Greetings friends! I am a Curandera (Medicine Woman), healing justice coach, and professor in higher education at the intersection of STEAM and health equity. Devoted to embodying and nurturing the values of love and liberty, I prioritize healing and inner work as catalysts for social change. With over two decades of healing justice coaching experience, I have worked with diverse individuals, families, and communities across primary care settings, community clinics, and educational institutions. I center and celebrates BIPOC women’s health and well-being through my holistic well care practice on the unceded land of the Ramaytush Ohlone. Outside of my professional work, I enjoy cultivating plants and trees, making herbal medicine, studying esoteric texts, dreaming of a world where we all belong, and convening with ancestors.
Occupation, field of work, or area of interest
Curandera (Medicine Woman), Healing Justice Coach, Educator, and Researcher. Areas of interest are earth mother, health and healing, and collective care.
Goals for the book club
To cultivate friendship and opportunities to share our work with each other. To continue learning how to be a loving person.
Michelle Garred, PhD
Pronouns: She/her/ella
Location: Washington, USA
Contact: michelle@ripple-peace.net
Website
LinkedIn
Location: Washington, USA
Contact: michelle@ripple-peace.net
Website
About Me
Intergroup relations have been my lifelong vocation, with early roots in cross-cultural training, second language education, and faith-based services in the USA and México. I have facilitated multi-ethnic peace councils in northern Kosovo/a, and led peace and justice mainstreaming in contexts of ethnoreligious conflict across South and Southeast Asia. My work has aimed to improve practice by shifting power, engaging faith actors in action research to contextualize their own tools, centering marginalized voices in participatory macro-analysis and planning, and advancing the faith- and culturally-responsive evaluation of interreligious action programs. My key publications include Making Peace with Faith: The Challenges of Religion and Peacebuilding (co-curated with Mohammed Abu-Nimer) and “Change Inside and Out: An Evaluator’s Guide to Outcome Harvesting + Attitude Change” (co-authored with Min Ma). After many years as a global nomad, I am now based in metro Seattle, on Coast Salish territory, near the lands stolen from my Duwamish, Suquamish, Puyallup and Muckleshoot neighbors. I am a local immigration rights accompanier and advocate focusing on the reform of detention policies and practices. As a white US American woman with a non-visible disability, my learning and unlearning about privilege are currently anchored within this space. I post periodic reflections on personalized aspects of justice and peace at michellegarred.net.
Occupation, field of work, or area of interest
I lead Ripple Peace Research & Consulting LLC , which provides program design, program evaluation and practical research services to organizations working to improve intergroup relations across cultural, religious, racial, ethnic and other lines of difference. I help my partners to maximize the impact of their programs, whether they involve advocating for equity, bridging relational gaps, or facilitating collaborative problem-solving.
Goals for the book club
The relationship building is key for me, and I would like to make some mutually helpful connections that can carry on into the future. (The book is, of course, a game-changer! But I could read the book on my own - so I'm really here in the book club for the networking).
About Me
I grew up in a large family, in Colorado. I have a history of several generations here. This has given me roots, but also a narrow perspective.
I have been an engineer for almost 40 years. Most has been in Transportation - design, construction, and more than a decade in facilities, where ADA is a big factor.
With various recent movements, I have been questioning "privilege" and hidden "oppression" built into the system and how I can consciously recognize it and try to change it.
Occupation, field of work, or area of interest
Civil Engineer, Highway/Transportation Design
Goals for the book club
Clarification, understanding of other perspectives
Connections with other beings not of "my" group - trying to understand
Connections with other beings not of "my" group - trying to understand
Trying to break down the idea of "other'
About Me
Thymai has 25 years of public education experience ranging from French and Spanish secondary teacher to administrator to executive level positions. Once she realized that adult learning was just as important as teaching students, she pursued a doctorate in Adult, Professional, and Community Education. Having left her most recent position as Chief Equity Officer in a suburban school district, Thymai founded Innervate2Educate Consulting, L.L.C. which delivers profound learning experiences rooted in the principles of andragogy that invite participants to individually look inward so that we can collectively transform outward. Knowing ourselves on a deep level, understanding that we have multiple and fluid identities, and recognizing that we are all embedded with one another under a shared humanity contribute to more inclusive environments that foster climates of belonging and cultures of dignity. The profound learning experiences offered by Thymai address the “whole adult” viewing the individual as a sum of their personal and professional identities which cannot be dichotomized in the workplace. With consulting experience spanning local, regional, national and international scales, she is passionate about sharing her DEIB expertise with organizations within education and beyond so that we all benefit from a reinvigorated humanity in all the spaces we navigate.
Occupation, field of work, or area of interest
EC-12 public education background
DEIB commitment
Ph.D. in Adult, Professional, and Community Education
Founder/owner, chief innervation officer of new consulting LLC
Convergence of vulnerability, equity, spirituality
DEIB commitment
Ph.D. in Adult, Professional, and Community Education
Founder/owner, chief innervation officer of new consulting LLC
Convergence of vulnerability, equity, spirituality
Goals for the book club
To continue learning via social constructivism and expanding my mental models in community with fellow humans...
Guff Van Vooren
Pronouns: She/her
Location: Bde Óta Othúŋwe, Mni Sóta Makoce (Minneapolis), Minnesota, USA
Contact: guffvanvooren@gmail.com
LinkedIn
Location: Bde Óta Othúŋwe, Mni Sóta Makoce (Minneapolis), Minnesota, USA
Contact: guffvanvooren@gmail.com
About Me
I was born to connect with and care for people and our planet. I do this by collaborating with civic-minded people in community-centered experiences to co-create lasting social change together.
Since 2000, I have served in, led, and co-founded social change organizations dedicated to community engagement, leadership development, public land stewardship, and environmental education. I strive to deeply serve, and serve alongside, all collaborators - program participants, volunteers, donors, staff, board members, and my local and global community. I specialize in strategic consulting for start-up, early stage, and inflection point/growth organizations. I pursue opportunities for cross-sector collaboration and innovation. Curious by nature and a life-long learner at heart, I seek adventure every day and delight in team-oriented initiatives and relationship building.
My spouse Vicki and I joined Social Venture Partners (SVP) in 2010. I've served in various and diverse roles through the years – both locally and globally. I currently serve on Bridgemakers impact team, SVP Minnesota’s equity and impact committee, and SVP International’s board of directors. Through the collective giving movement, I've had transformative experiences connecting, learning, building trusting relationships, and co-creating with incredible people and organizations around the world. The collective giving movement has been my catalyst to help build a more just, loving, peaceful, and resilient world where everyone and everything thrives and feels like they belong. It’s helping me evolve in my role and as a human being – in my journey toward our collective well-being and our shared liberation. I feel so lucky and grateful to be part of this movement......AND.....I invite you to join us!
A few FUN facts about me:
- Favorite activities: All things outdoors – especially in the mountains! Travel, hike, ski, yoga, bike, golf, volunteer, dig in the dirt, and hang out and cook with friends and family in my quest for “the ultimate dining experience”
- Favorite foods: sushi, chocolate, butter
- Favorite quote: “Now I see the secret of making the best person; it is to grow in the open air and to eat and sleep with the earth.” Walt Whitman
- Social issues I care most about: The environment, racial justice, poverty, youth development, civic engagement, peaceful conflict resolution/evolution.
- Dream travel destinations: Patagonia hike, Galapagos, Grand Canyon raft, Africa safari, Tennis grand slam tour, Australia and New Zealand, Space travel (stratospheric)
- One little unknown fact about me: I dream of being a Ninja Warrior and climbing Mount Midoriyama
Occupation, field of work, or area of interest
Collective Giving Movement/Engaged Philanthropy: Social Venture Partners member
Goals for the book club
I joined this book club to learn and connect with incredible people around the world whom are helping to build more just, loving, peaceful, and resilient communities and planet. I’m eager to learn more about, and more deeply practice, bridging and belonging in my family and in my local and global community work. I’m so grateful to each of you, to john a. powell, and to the Othering & Belonging Institute for sharing your wisdom and experience with me!
About Me
Ernelyn is a Filipino-American who migrated to the US from the Philippines at the age 14 with her family. She has 40 years of experience as a Social Worker with specialization in Mental Health in Health Care (Hospital/Community Clinic), 34 years in management/leadership roles: Community Engagement/Collaboration, Advocacy, Program Development, Quality Improvement and 20 years as a Leadership & Professional Development Coach & Organizational Development Consultant. Dr. Navarro's current roles include serving as a Cultural Community Liaison/Consultant for RUHS-Behavioral Health serving the AANHPI Communities, Leadership Coach and training facilitator for Leadership Education for Asian Pacifics (LEAP), a Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging (DEIB) consultant, and a Certified Community Resiliency Teacher for Trauma Resource Institute.
She enjoys traveling, arts and crafts, taking pictures, watching Korean Dramas, and listening to music and audible books.
Occupation, field of work, or area of interest
Leadership Coach and Organizational Development Consultant.
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Board Certified Coach
Cultural Community Liaison/consultant for Riverside County Behavioral Health, serving the AANHPI communities
Goals for the book club
Deeper insights into the key concepts; learn from and connect with others
About Me
My name is Elodie and I am originally from France. I moved to Canada 8 years ago and I live in Vancouver, BC, on the traditional lands and unceded territories of the Musqueam, Skxwú7mesh, and Tsleil-Waututh nations, also known as Coast Salish Peoples.
I started working for the non-profit sector, and especially for the promotion of the rights of Francophones at the provincial and federal levels, as well as the recognition of a francophone identity in a minority environment. I had the opportunity to collaborate regularly with Francophone schools and immersion programs to develop a sense of belonging among young Francophones and Francophiles.
I also worked for the Official Languages Program at the Department of Canadian Heritage, by collaborating with community organizations to build a francophone cultural identity that reflects all the components of its diversity, and especially in British Columbia, where the francophone identity is largely maintained by the immigration of people from Europe and Africa.
I recently started a master’s program in Canadian and Intercultural Studies to strengthen my knowledge of the social, economic and cultural history of Canada in order to better understand the different aspects that have led to its current reality. I also had the opportunity to deepen my knowledge of Indigenous rights issues by working on various research projects dedicated to the Métis, who are the descendants of mixed European and Indigenous peoples, and recognized as one of the three Indigenous peoples of Canada, along with the First Nations and the Inuit.
I am currently working for Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, but I want to put all these experiences and knowledge to good use in the social justice field, by reorienting myself towards the non-profit sector, which is more aligned with my values than the institutional field.
Occupation, field of work, or area of interest
I am currently working for Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada as a program officer, and especially for a program dedicated to increase the admission number of French-speaking people outside Quebec, by identifying systemic barriers within immigration programs and policies that prevent the access of these candidates to the immigration process.
Right now, I'm in the midst of a professional transition to reorient myself in the field of social justice that is more aligned with my personal values.
Goals for the book club
I'm very happy to take part in this book club, which offers a great opportunity to connect with a community of people from different backgrounds and levels of expertise, to exchange and learn about the notions of othering and belonging. For me, it's a unique opportunity to deepen my own perspective and define how I can better reflect these notions in my personal and professional life.
About Me
I am an educator/facilitator focused on cultural humility and white accountability. I am a queer cis Women of Greek, Mexican, German – English heritage with white skin privilege. I am a former OUSD teacher and RJ practitioner.
Occupation, field of work, or area of interest
I partner with colleagues in the DEI (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion) World who have a Justice and/or Belonging focus. I do consulting on a small scale and I work with a gift economy model as much as I can.
Goals for the book club
So amazing to connect with people for whom BELONGING is the guide/aspiration. And to work to make sense of the complexity of this world.
Linda Brandt, MPH
About Me
Linda Brandt grew up in the bustling chaos of her mom's home daycare of 10 kids and two brothers. This set her on a path toward public health since she naturally thinks about groups and tapping everyone's strengths.
Linda's favorite part of her paid and volunteer health promotion work has been supporting over 1,600 generous leaders in the last 11 years. Along the way, many people have pointed out her "calling" for building community through collaborative tools like directories (yeah this one!) and innovative formats like peer coaching.
Being recognized by Sheryl Sandberg as exceptional among the global Lean In leaders makes her eager to help more organizations tap the intelligence and experience of underrepresented leaders like herself. To do this work that she’s uniquely qualified to do, she’s taking the leap to find a position where she can maximally contribute.
Occupation, field of work, or area of interest
Community Catalyst 🔥 || Igniting Change Through Facilitation & Strategy || Program Management Pro || Ambassador of Good Ideas
Goals for the book club
More inspiring peers headed in a similar direction
About Me
Throughout my life, I have belonged everywhere and nowhere, and I learned to appreciate all of me, to live life on my own terms and help others do the same. In 2009, I began working with children and families who experienced trauma. After obtaining a Master in Social Work in 2013, and helping families reunify as a social worker in South Los Angeles, I recognized the lack of quality mental health services available for people of color and decided to get trained in evidence based practices. I am trained in: Managing and Adapting Practice (children and adolescents), Incredible Years (children), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (adults), and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (skills group for adolescents). I’m currently in private practice.
Occupation, field of work, or area of interest
Licensed clinical social worker specializing in supporting children, adolescents, and families who have experienced trauma, anxiety, and depression.
Goals for the book club
To engage in thoughtful conversation with an multidisciplinary group on topics related to othering & belonging
About Me
-
Occupation, field of work, or area of interest
Occupation: state service
field of work: regulation/public utilities
areas of interest: building a culture of belonging in my workplace and advancing racial equity in state government
Goals for the book club
-
About Me
I was born and raised in Gary Indiana. My parents were born and raised in Mound Bayou Mississippi. When they migrated from south to north, they brought their values with them. At age 15 I said that I wanted to end racism in my lifetime. I've obviously fallen short of that desire.
I moved to Colorado after graduating from college. I've worked in all three sectors - public, private and nonprofit. Every job I've held was in some small way reflective of my life goal. Now I want to learn how I might be able to contribute to a more peaceful world.
I moved to Colorado after graduating from college. I've worked in all three sectors - public, private and nonprofit. Every job I've held was in some small way reflective of my life goal. Now I want to learn how I might be able to contribute to a more peaceful world.
Occupation, field of work, or area of interest
Consultant
Field of Work: Facilitating workshops focused on equity, inclusion and belonging. I've facilitated workshops on bridging and belonging. I've also facilitated workshops on Targeted Universalism.
Area of Interest: Engaging in conversations that lead to action. Providing support for Black women and youth involved in social change. Multigenerational conversations and action-oriented projects focused on social change.
Goals for the book club
Learning from others, especially younger generations. I'd like to learn of success strategies that can be used in the environments in which I function. I'd also like to share knowledge and generate new knowledge together.
Angeline Aow
About Me
Angeline is an international educator, author, consultant and pedagogical leader. She has undertaken multiple roles within schools, as a teacher, curriculum coordinator, accreditation coordinator and professional learning and development coordinator. Angeline is an advocate of inclusion, coaching, concept-driven learning and teaching and contributes as an active citizen on social justice issues through her role as a country network leader of @WomenEdDE and work with the Council of International Schools. Her book, Becoming a Totally Inclusive School: a Guide for Teachers and School Leaders was published by Routledge in November, 2022.
Occupation, field of work, or area of interest
International educator
Goals for the book club
Insights, inspirations and a renewed sense of hope for a better world together as we navigate how to promote belonging for all.
Kimberly Nightingale
About Me
Kimberly believes in the power of people to tell their own stories. She is the former creator, executive director, and publisher of the Saint Paul Almanac, where for fifteen years she supported people sharing their stories, poetry, and art in different spaces, including books, readings, open mics, storymobiles, films, and on the walls of art galleries, buses, and trains. Kimberly understands that being published is a powerful, transformative experience.
Occupation, field of work, or area of interest
PhD student studying youth, belonging, and cities
Goals for the book club
Participate in building a global, intergenerational community of connectors and learners committed to growing belonging across the world.
Felix AuYeung
About Me
-
Occupation, field of work, or area of interest
Nonprofit Affordable Housing Developer
Goals for the book club
Dive deeper into the Belonging Without Othering paradigm and learn how to practice this in everyday life.
Christine Goatley
About Me
Passionate about social justice, lifelong learner, happy to share ideas and listening. I am also a caregiver for two adults in my family (and our menagerie of pets).
Occupation, field of work, or area of interest
Grants Manager at HUD providing permanent housing for homeless disabled people.
Goals for the book club
I have already benefitted from gaining a sense of hope. I love connecting with others on a similar journey. I'm grateful for this work and for the community developed to support and engage.
Dixon de Leña
Pronouns: He/him/siya
Location: California, USA
Contact: ddelena@integralpartnerships.com
Website
LinkedIn
Location: California, USA
Contact: ddelena@integralpartnerships.com
Website
About Me
Since 1982, I have been intention-designed leadership and organization consultant, vertical development specialist, mindfulness teacher(c), and spiritual guide who helps people cultivate their capacities for a great life and impactful work.
A father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, and husband of Valorie de Leña, my wife and business partner. We live in the San Francisco Bay Area on unceded Bay Miwok peoples land.
Occupation, field of work, or area of interest
Consultant in adult vertical development in leadership; organization culture consultant; mindfulness meditation (Vipassana/Insight) teacher candidate; ordained minister and spiritual guide.
Goals for the book club
I have been committed to creating a world that works for all, no one and nothing left out since 1979. The work of OBI feels like a "home" and the vision, values, and operating principles are those that I'm aligned with. I intuit that this book club and the possible networks that could arise from it, are people that I would be honored to co-create the future.
Maheen
About Me
-
Occupation, field of work, or area of interest
Positive psychology, sociology, and organization development
Goals for the book club
I'll keep it simple: deepen my learning and thinking about belonging.
Robin Beers, PhD
Pronouns: She/her
Location: California, USA
Contact: robin@ubuntuculturecompany.com
Website
LinkedIn
Substack
Location: California, USA
Contact: robin@ubuntuculturecompany.com
Website
Substack
About Me
-
Occupation, field of work, or area of interest
I am an Organizational Psychologist dedicated to making business more human by helping to create conditions for people to contribute fully and thrive.
Goals for the book club
-
Kathilee Porter
About Me
-
Occupation, field of work, or area of interest
Media creator and non-profit Activator - Early Language, Learning and Literacies Alliance
Goals for the book club
-
Gabriela Gamiz
About Me
-
Occupation, field of work, or area of interest
Education, community organizing, STEM speaks to mind and warms up my being. Currently, I am in higher education and have found a way to combine my passion for education, community organizing and STEM.
Goals for the book club
-
Kimberley Rhoades
About Me
People connector. Professional defender of books. Pro-kid radical.
Occupation, field of work, or area of interest
Children's Outreach Librarian & DEIB Specialist for our city
Goals for the book club
The deeper understanding, wider lens, and consistency toward a goal of belonging without othering hit the mark. Having a safe space to engage with, work through, and learn from each other is a gift!
Dr. Charles Chip Mc Neal is an award-winning, international educator, researcher, civic leader & activist – engaging in transdisciplinary practice across art-forms and genres, with a focus on arts, educational equity, social justice, community engagement, and cultural competency. He guides government agencies, non-profits, and schools on change-management, creative collaboration, program creation, equitable arts policies, diversity, and organizational cultural competency.
Mc Neal has over 30 years of senior leadership experience and flexibly negotiates the intersection between creativity, new technologies, and professional learning. He has trained in multiple culturally responsive practices including; restorative justice techniques, social-emotional learning, and Teaching Tolerance curriculum (from the Southern Poverty Law Center). He is an accredited Integrated Learning Specialist and a certified Oral Historian. A frequent and sought-after conference presenter, Mc Neal has lectured on arts, education, social justice, multiculturalism, and equity for The Edinburgh International Festival, UC Berkeley, Stanford University, and Harvard Graduate School of Education.
Mr. McNeal is the first-ever Director of Diversity, Equity and Community for the San Francisco Opera. A pioneering leader in the field of arts, McNeal is ostensibly the first director of diversity for an opera company in the United States. Mr. McNeal has operationalized a new department in a major arts organization for the second time. In his role, he leads internal and external initiatives aimed at developing diverse audiences, creating a safe, and diverse working environment and facilitating the further advancements of the organizational mission. He is tasked with creating a culture of belonging and acceptance, we’re diverse peoples on value and inspiration in the arc of Opera. He is guided by the goals and objectives outlined in the 2019 Strategic Plan – to place develop diversity, and equity inclusion at the core of arts and business practice. Mr. McNeal works organization-wide to advise, consult, and mentor on diversity and equity initiatives.
He also continues training teaching artists, conducts arts research, develops novel initiatives, and advises on artistic content, culturally responsive pedagogy, creative collaboration and more. He designs and curates accredited professional development training for credentialed educators who partner with the San Francisco Opera.
A celebrated dance educator, Mr. Mc Neal is the former Director of Education for San Francisco Ballet where he established the distinguished, San Francisco Ballet Center for Dance Education, engaging over 30,000 people annually through 1,500 culturally diverse events.
Mc Neal served as a Transformative Learning Coach, Leadership Advisor and Arts Integration Specialist for Alameda County Office of Education where he developed culturally responsive, inquiry-based, social justice curriculum. He is a founding member of the San Francisco Unified School District’s Arts Education Master Plan Advisory Committee. McNeal is on the Leadership Council of Create California, a statewide-advocacy consortium, where he Chairs the Equity Committee – working to creating a sustainable, equitable, arts learning eco-system for the state of California.
Mr. Mc Neal holds two bachelor’s degrees – in psychology, and sociology from Excelsior University, and a master’s degree in education from Lesley University. Dr. Mc Neal holds a Ph.D. in Transformative Studies in Education from the California Institute for Integral Studies in San Francisco. Mc Neal’s research focuses on Critical Pedagogy, Culturally and Linguistically Responsive studies, and Artistic Inquiry and lies at the intersection of arts, cultural responsiveness, and educational equity as he devises solutions to the pressing issues of education reform and racial equity in the arts.
Sign up for
our newsletter!
Keep up with news from the Othering & Belonging Institute at UC Berkeley.
Thank you!
Write your awesome label here.