THE TOGETHER ENDOWMENT

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Program Agenda

9:00 am – 10:00 am: Check-In and Continental Breakfast

Dedication of Diversity Walk in honor of Senator Andy Dinniman’s community work and teaching

10:00 am – 11:15 am: Opening Session: New Approaches for Developing Increased Respect and Understanding for All

New Approaches:

• Use of DNA
  Individuals take DNA tests and find out they have a greater diversity than they are aware of. This leads to questions of self-identification and how they perceive others. It helps people discuss race and ancestry in a more inquisitive, inclusive, and positive way.
• The Story
  A story can be personal or the actual history of our common experiences. We can make progress if we can get Americans to remember and share stories related to the difficulties and discrimination faced by their parents and grandparents. It is a powerful force to enable us to appreciate the common emotions felt by others in similar situations.
• Responding to Negative Social Media
  Most of the communication today takes place through social media. We need to develop the skills to respond to the bias and misinformation that often occurs on social media. At the same time, we need to develop new social media approaches that affirm diversity, equity, and our common humanity.
• Understanding the Relationship of Self and Culture
  In dealing with the human experiences of everyday life, all cultures must answer the same questions, but the answers come out differently on a continuum of possibilities. Misunderstanding often occurs when we do not comprehend the variety of cultural answers to the same questions.
• Aspirational Power
  Using the power and support that comes from the teaching and affirmation of America’s values is essential. America is thought to be a special place of diversity, freedom, equality, and opportunity. While these values are often more aspirational than reality, they are ingrained into the very soul of our nation and hold power that we need to utilize and affirm.

11:15 am – 11:45 pm: Topic Question and Answer with Presenters

Group breakout sessions with presenters

11:45 pm – 12:30 pm: Group Discussions Based Upon Locality to Plan First Local Meeting

Discussion of which approach best fits your locality and plan for first local meeting, date and time

12:30 pm – 12:45 pm: Conclusion: Relationship to the 250th Anniversary in 2026 of the Declaration of Independence

The meaning of diversity, equity, and inclusion in the context of the 250th Anniversary (2026) of the Declaration of Independence

In terms of the Declaration of Independence, "Each generation must look at itself and ask are we making progress?.... The question is what can we do differently this time? That is what each generation has to decide." 
– Philip Mead, Chief Historian
Museum of the American Revolution

Presenters:

State Senator Andy Dinniman

Clifford De Baptiste

Dr. Charles Hardy

The Gathering is supported by the Together Endowment in the West Chester University Foundation.

 

 

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Program Planning Committee

• Chris Awuyah
• Elorm Awuyah
• Carol Black
• Kenneth Bond
• Kyle Boyer
• Cassandra Burgess
• Gustavo Castaneda
• Anna Cephas
• Shawn Cephas
• Deb Ciamacca
• Kathleen Coleman-Smith
• Clifford De Baptiste, Honorary Chair
• Lillian De Baptiste
• Bobby Duncan
• Stephanie Duncan
• Teresa Eze
• Ayesha Fawad
• Ray Fernandez
• Micky Flynn
• Robin Greene-Toler
• Virind Gujral
• Gwynne Hagee
• Alice Hammond
• Charles Hardy
• Judy Heald
• Jon Hungpu
• Mian Jan
• Kris Keller
• Shabih Khan
• Bill Kraut
• Bessie Lee Layton
• Alex Li
• Jan Michener
• Shankar Musunuri
• Mark Pavlovich
• Matthew Pierlott
• Rosetta Rambo
• Donna Rowland
• Andy Schaum
• Stephenie Stevens
• Theresa Thorton
• Gopi Vudathgk
• Carol Weaver
• Zach Wooten
• Syed Zia