
ODEI LIVE: Community Conversations
By Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (ODEI) at Hudson Valley Community Coll

ODEI LIVE: Community ConversationsMar 29, 2021

Celebrating Women in Leadership
Join the Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion as we speak with Liska Wilson, well-known leader and speaker on the topics of entrepreneurship and leadership development.
Through her not-for-profit organization, She’s a Boss, she creates opportunities for young professionals, including the Women in Leadership mentoring program that has recently been established at Hudson Valley Community College. In addition, Liska helps organizations across the US as the Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI) Communications Strategist at Tangible Development and is also co-owner of Busy Day, a pack & ship store in Albany, NY.

The Pursuit of STEM Equity and Excellence
2021 Black History Month Panel

The Sociological Life-Conversations with Dr. Hayward Derrick”Doc” Horton
Join HVCC's Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion as Dr. Hayward Derrick Horton shares his inspirational life journey.
In his role as moderator with the Allyship Institute , Doc recently interviewed Ibram Kendi and Eddie Glaude Jr. as part of The Capital Region Antiracism Training Initiative held at Proctor’s Theater.
Dr. Horton wears many hats -son, husband, father, Professor of Sociology at the University at Albany, President with Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Beta Pi Lambda Chapter, entrepreneur of his own consulting business and leader of Doc Horton and the Jay Street Band.
Listeners will find the interview moving, educational and entertaining!
Song used by permission from Doc Horton of the Jay Street band.

Talent and Inclusion at the Capital Region Chamber of Commerce
Join us for the latest episode of ODEI Live!, as we speak with Jason Benitez, the Vice President of Talent and Inclusion at the Capital Region Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Benitez will share stories that highlight his personal and professional life, and how they both have prepared him for his new role. Other topics will include diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I) in the current business climate, the importance of collaboration between higher education and industry, and an overview of the resources and programs that the Chamber offer.

The YMCA Looks to Redefine Community Engagement
The Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (ODEI) recently completed it’s fifth podcast. Our guest was Orville Abrahams, Director of Community Development for the Capital District YMCA. The conversation focused on the value of community engagement and the YMCA collaborating with Green Tech High School to build a 60,000 square foot community campus to provide the following:
· Access to Community College
· Electric Car Technician Training Center
· Building Trades Center
· STEM and Science Labs
· Senior Space and Senior Programming
· Child care
· 10 Basketball Courts
· One main NCAA court
· Wellness Center
· Youth Program Space and After School Activities
· AAU Basketball Training
· Community Rooms

UpState New York Black Chamber of Commerce
Join the ODEI for our conversation with two co-founders of the Upstate New York Black Chamber of Commerce , Julissa DeLeon , CMO and Anthony Gaddy, President/CEO, as they share information about the Chambe's mission and member driven programming, and speak to the importance of building diverse community support for black business , entrepreneurship and other economic opportunities.

In Our Own Voices Provides Insight
The Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (ODEI) recently completed it’s third podcast. Our guest was Tandra LaGrone, the Executive Director of In Our Own Voices (IOOV). The interview was rich with information, engaging, and inspiring. She is a phenomenal leader who has helped many people of color in the LGBTQ community. At the conclusion of the interview, I was inspired and appreciative of the time and commitment she has dedicated to support people of color in the LGBTQ community. Below are some of the topics we discussed during our session.
Being a person of color in the LGBTQ community Title VII and the recent Supreme Court protection afforded to the LGBTQ community BLM and the LGBTQ community Black Lives Matter mural on Lark Street Law enforcement and the LGBTQ community Having a seat at the decision table
Stem Outreach Workshop Initiative hitting its stride
This episode is hosted by Taunya Hannibal-Williams, Community Outreach Specialist in the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, and HVCC’s Chief Diversity Officer, Ainsley Thomas.
Join us as we have a conversation with Mac-Arthur Louis about the ODEI’s STEM Workshop Outreach Initiative (SOWI), the importance of access to STEM programming, community collaboration, providing STEM role models for underrepresented minority populations, including females and others along the gender continuum, and encouraging their participation in STEM courses in middle, high school and beyond. #STEM4ALL

Free Educational Programs from WMHT
Please join us in a conversation with Hudson Valley Community College’s Chief Diversity Officer, Ainsley Thomas, Community Outreach Specialist, Taunya Hannibal- Williams as they welcome Michelle Thivierge, the Coordinator of Community Engagement at WMHT and former Hudson Valley Community College Chaplin. The discussion will focus on the impact of COVID 19 in the community as well as free educational programs that WMHT has to offer.
Please join us each month as we continue our conversations with members of our community.
Follow us on Facebook: @HVCCODEI
Instagram: HVCC_ODEI