DEI Speakers Series

In 2023, the City's Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee piloted a new community education program; the initial five-event DEI Speakers Series was funded by a Community Opportunity Grant.  Engaging speakers were tapped by the committee to provide one-hour interactive talks that included a period of Q&A. The results were educational, entertaining, and sometimes sobering.

This series has been renewed in subsequent years to share stories from people and communities often marginalized. The committee continues to seek informative and engaging speakers. Have an idea for a topic or speaker? Submit it here.  Expect an announcement of new fall 2025 events soon. 

2025 Events

• Feb. 25: Black Exclusion in Oregon - Mariah Rocker, Oregon Black Pioneers (unavailable)
• Mar. 18, 2025: "Celebrating Women's History Month" - Women in STEAM panel 
• May 20, 2025: "Celebrating Jewish American Heritage Month" - Judy Margles, Oregon Jewish Museum 
• June 26: Celebrating Immigrant Heritage Month - Teresa Alsonso Leon, former Oregon State Representative (coming soon)

2024 Events

• Sept. 2024: "PODER, Oregon’s Latino Leadership Network" - Anthony Veliz
• May 2024: "Building Community Through Culture" - Renee Roman Nose
• Apr. 2024: "One Couple's Struggle for Sanctuary" - Bob, Kiana, Ellie and Fariba Furughi
• Mar. 2024: "LGBTQIA+: Understanding and Allyship" - Erika Pham
• Feb. 2024: “Fleeing Displacement and Escaping El Salvador’s Civil War for Life in America” Elizabeth and Karla Brashear

Archive

• July 2023: "The Culture, Language, and Etiquette of Disability" - Ian Jaquiss, Relay Resources 
• June 2023: "Systemic Racism in Oregon Schools" - Rudyane Rivera-Lindstrom,  DEI
  Higher Education Coordinating Commission
• May 2023: "The Mainstreaming of Antisemitism in America" - Bob Horenstein, Jewish Foundation of Greater Portland
• Apr. 2023: "Growing Up Muslim in Clackamas County" - Imran Haider, Washington State University professor