BRI DEIA Statement
The Blue Ridge Institute (BRI) Board of Directors collectively crafted this Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Accessibility statement to drive the organization’s annual planning, programming, and recruitment activities.
The Blue Ridge Institute (BRI) is a family of choice. Our fiercely welcoming annual conference serves as a place to learn, lead, and renew, with opportunities to build connections, make friends, and network with champion colleagues. Quirky “Ridgers” create a safe space for all who attend. We connect throughout the year in various ways with the same intentions as our annual gathering.
As racial inequities and injustices continue, BRI strives to be increasingly intentional with reflective humility to effectively support and engage “Ridgers” and the communities they serve. We reflect the myriad of identities they serve, often rooted in communities of color, abilities, genders, sexual orientations, ages, socioeconomic status, and their intersections that commonly lead to marginalization.
Our organization was founded to create social change. We adamantly condemn injustices and systematic inequities woven into the fabric of our nation. As we move forward as leaders, we are committed to continuing the legacy of community uplift, power sharing, and intentional listening to co-create a brighter kinder world.
DEIA Resources
Books
- Being Heumann: An Unrepentant Memoir of a Disability Activits. By Judy Heumann
- Crip Kinship by Shayda Kafai
- Year of the Tiger by Alice Wong
- Haben: The Deafblind Woman Who Conquered Harvard Law. By Haben Girma
- True Biz by Sara Novic
- Easy Beauty: A Memoir by Chloe Cooper Jones
- Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion for dummies: by Dr. Shirley Davis
- Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents: by Isabel Wilkerson
Diversity Resources
- Introductions to Courageous Conversation Training
- Dismantling Racism Action Tools
- Managing Complex Change
Equity Resources
- Equity Lessons for Organizational Leaders
- White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack
- Race Matters
- Equitable Hiring Tool
- Code Switch NPR Podcast
- Our hiring practices are inequitable and need to change
Inclusivity Resources
- The Problem of Othering: Towards Inclusiveness and Belonging
- C. Adichie The Danger of a Single Story
- Outward: Expanding the LGBTQ Conversation
Accessiblity Resources
- Disabilities in Media Toolkit
- Authentic Portrayals of People with Disabilities in Media Content
- Diability Inclusive Language Guide
- Hosting an Accessible Event (Civic Engagement Guide)
- Overview of Responsiblities Under the Americans with Disabilities Act
- Introduction to Digital Accessibility
- Services Animals Fact Sheet
- Resources on Hiring People with Disabilities
DEIA Focused Organizations
- North Carolina for Community and Justice
- Racial Equity Institute
- Alamance Racial Equity Alliance
- Courageous Conversations
Consultants / Speakers
- Dr. Sheila Robinson: Founder of Diversity Woman Media
- LaShauna Austria: Seeds of Change Consulting
- Natalie Burke: Founder of Common Health Action
- Marcus Littles, Advocate, Strategust, Facilitator