DEI Toolkit: Staff Picks

What resources are helpful to Community Foundation staff members? What readings, activities and videos help shape our understanding of the Dubuque region and the world?

Use these tools and resources to help build a diversity, equity and inclusion learning plan for your organization.

Alex Baum

Director of Knowledge Management

Resource: “Explained: Racial Wealth Gap” (Full Episode)

“One of the best ways to understand systemic racism is through an example, and the racial wealth gap is one of the most compelling and impactful.”

Jeff Danna

Communications Manager

Resources: Strong Towns, Bloomberg CityLab, NextCity, The Corner Side Yard

“I’m interested in the intersection between urban planning and equity — how policies and practices related to issues like housing, zoning and transportation shape the experiences of city residents of all backgrounds. These are just a few of my go-to resources.”

Paul Duster

Director of Community Initiatives

Resource: Uncomfortable Conversations With a Black Man (First Episode)

“This series of short videos covers a broad range of topics, and I like the unvarnished discussions and explanations provided by Emmanuel and his guests.”

Lovisa Hogstrom

Brand Creative Coordinator

Resource: Anti-Racism Daily

“Each day, Anti-Racism Daily covers a different topic related to the news, touching on history and current impact on communities of color. The most meaningful newsletters come on Sunday, when they cover reader questions. I’ve learned a lot about issues that I’ve never considered before and recommend this newsletter to everyone.

Donna Loewen

Dubuque College Access Network Coordinator

Resource: 1619 Project White Paper

“I chose this white paper because we all deserve to have a true and clear understanding of how events and practices in U.S. history created outcomes that continue to affect people’s lives yet today.”

Jenna Manders

Director of Strategic Relations

Resource: Housing Segregation and Redlining in America: A Short History

Prior to learning about redlining, I couldn’t quite wrap my head around the economic disadvantages of non-white Americans. This is a powerful message of systemic oppression.

Jason Neises

Community Development Coordinator

Resource: “1619” podcast by The New York Times

“The ‘1619’ podcast is excellent and has a good Iowa connection. Creator and host Nikole Hannah Jones grew up in nearby Waterloo and weaves stories about her hometown into the the podcast.”

Emily Rollins

Philanthropic Engagement Specialist

Resource: Unpacking the Knapsack

“This article was impactful for me, because it helped me to better recognize that I unknowingly participate in and perpetuate a culture of racism when I take advantage of my white privilege.”

M.J. Smith

Director of Affiliate Foundations

Resource: What will the new school year look like? Start with unequal

“I was inspired by this piece, because I am aware of a widely-held assumption by that ‘Through hard work and applying your education, anyone can rise above their circumstances.’ The data refutes that, because ZIP code determines the quality of one’s education. This leads to a question for our own communities: What are the gaps that we need to close for every child to be able to work hard and apply their education?”

Peter Supple

Economic Opportunity Coordinator

Resource: What Does DEI Mean in the Workplace?

“In my work as a convener, I need to understand what DEI means in the workplace so that I can make sure everyone has a seat at the table to fully make an impact in the community.”

Shirley Templeton Vaughn

Project Coordinator

Resource: Housing Segregation and Redlining in America: A Short History

“For me, our most impactful DEI staff discussion on redlining in housing. This was an eye-opener, and the information I learned will help me to explain such issues that still exist today – in hopes to alleviate them going forward.”

Cynthia Wehrenberg

Youth Impact Coordinator

Resource: Love Has No Labels (Video)

“This video is a good example of how we make assumptions about people based on how they look, speak or dress. Removing those social indicators and stereotypes reminds us that we are more alike than different. Kindness and seeking to be more understanding can go a long way.”