April 2016
DEEP is dedicated to enhancing a work environment that is inclusive and supportive of the City of Portland’s diverse workforce that is committed to quality public service.
We have many new books and DVDs in the DEEP Library:
How the Irish Became White – Noel Ignatiev
Between the World and Me – Ta-Nehisi Coates
Under the Affluence: Shaming the Poor, Praising the Rich
and Sacrificing the Future of America – Tim Wise
Dear White America: Letter to a New Minority – Tim Wise
A Brief History of Seven Killings – Marlon James
Black Like Me – John Howard Griffin
We Should All Be Feminists – Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Remembering the Power of Words – Avel Louise Gordly
Island: Poetry and History of Chinese Immigrants on Angel Island 1910-1940
Breaking the Silence: Lessons of Democracy and Social Justice from World War II Honouliuli Interment and POW Camp in Hawai’i
Two Spirits, by Lydia Nibley, DVD, 54 minutes
Stolen Ground, by Lee Mun Wah, DVD, 43 minutes
***Have a book that you’d like to donate that would fit in with our library? Let us know! ***
Thank you to those employees who have already donated!!
Check out your books or DVDs here: http://www.portlandoregon.gov/67392
Take a look at the list of books and DVD's that DEEP has acquired. Download list here. [updated March 25, 2016]
Employees can borrow up to two items for a month. There is the option to renew for another month. Fill out the form below with the title of the book or DVD, and the author (so we can confirm what your selection is); or if it is a DVD, just type DVD or video in the author line.
Please do not loan DEEP's books or DVDs you've checked out to anyone else.
Most of our books and DVDs have a wait list already.
February was Black History Month and there were some great events that took place here at the City. The panel of speakers/organizers of PCC’s Whiteness History Month, taking place in April, spoke and answered questions. A lot of thought and time went into organizing this event and it is open to the public. Check it out here.
The Soul Food and Social was a huge hit with over 60 people in attendance. Employees, including Mayor Charlie Hales, socialized with each other and dined on catfish, chicken wings, greens, cornbread, mac n’cheese, potato salad, sweet tea and sweet potato pie!
Shout out to Sonny Ben-Jumbo, the chair of the City African American Network (CAAN) for pulling this month’s events together!
Women’s History Month took place in March and with the 2016 theme, “Honoring Women in Public Service and Government,” honored women who shaped America’s history and its future through their public service and government leadership.
There was a wealth of events over the entire month that a dedicated group of women organized led by Janis McDonald, the co-chair of DEEP. Thank you Ashley Tjaden, Nan Stark, Becky Tillson, Lora Lillard, Courtney Duke, Penelope Luedtke, Sara Johnson, Carolyne Haycraft, Erin Aigner, Marveita Redding, Meghann Fertal, Natalie Luttrell, Kate Green, Icie Ta, Sarah Santner, and any others that helped organize the great events such as the Dress for Success, the topic discussions at lunchtime, the HERstory event, the two kick-off breakfasts, clothing swap, and WomenStrength. It was great to have all the different bureaus working together, as well as the two affinity groups, PDXCityMamas and Women’s Empowerment.
The Sixth Annual Wonder Woman Awards was bigger than ever this year. Thank you to the Aurora Chorus who performed at the awards ceremony, and congratulations to all 170 nominees, and special wonder women, Chief Erin Janssens, Director Anna Kanwit, Chief Engineer Teresa Elliott, and Commissioner Amanda Fritz. Go here to see the certificates and the list of nominees.
DEEP kicked off the 2016 Leadership Development Pilot Program, sponsored by the Office of Equity and Human Rights. There were over 60 applications from employees all over the city for the nine month program that has 15 spots among three affinity groups. The largest percentage of applicants came from Environmental Services at 26%, Parks & Recreation at 13%, and Development Services at 9%. The City African American Network (CAAN), led by Sonny Ben-Jumbo, Unidos Latinos Americanos (ULA), led by Carlos Hernandez, Cynthia Castro and Cristina Nieves, and Women’s Empowerment (WE), led by Meghann Fertal, all organized the program with Janis McDonald and Debbie Caselton, co-chairs of DEEP. They have hired Yvonne Chang to train the mentees and mentors, which will start this month. There will be additional leadership trainings by Yvonne Chang, assessment by Glen Fielding, and subject matter trainings by Steven Holt.
Even though DEEP could only afford to accommodate 15 employees in the pilot program, we will be seeking special opportunities and trainings that coincide with the common themes among the 61 applicants and also make them available citywide.
DEEP is actively seeking grant(s) for the next Leadership Development Program.
Brown bag Session to learn about CELs
Tuesday, April 19, 2016
Noon to 1:30 pm
Portland Building, Auditorium 2nd Floor
CELs stands for community engagement liaison services. The purpose of this program is to help bridge the gap between government officials and the community through effective communication and engagement. CELs provide language interpretation and community engagement for your public involvement programs and help integrating immigrant and refugee communities into the life of our City. CELs are experienced well-trained civic activists, fluent in English, and are respected community members who understand the need of the community they serve.
This brown bag session will be a great opportunity for any city employees who work closely with immigrant communities to learn about CELs, and how they can utilize this service to better serve the new Portlanders population. We will have a short presentation, and time for Q+A after the presentation. For more information regarding the CELs Program go here.
Slavic Affinity Group Intro Meeting
Wednesday, April 20, 2016
Noon to 1:00 pm
City Hall, Rose Room
Meet to discuss potential new Affinity Group, meet other Slavs at the City, and enjoy lunch!
Slavic [slah-vik, slav-ik]: /ˈslɑ vɪk, ˈslæv ɪk/ A branch of the Indo-European family of languages, usually divided into East Slavic (Russian, Ukrainian, Byelorussian), West Slavic (Polish, Czech, Slovak, Sorbian), and South Slavic (Old Church Slavonic, Macedonian, Bulgarian, Serbo-Croatian, Slovene). Abbr.: Slav.
Contact DEEP at deep@portlandoregon.gov if you have questions. Everyone is welcome.
Debbie Caselton, Co-Chair
Diverse and Empowered Employees of Portland (DEEP)
421 SW Sixth Ave, Suite 500 | Portland OR 97204
503-823-2831 | deep@portlandoregon.gov