Diversity Equity Inclusion Committee
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About Diversity Equity Inclusion Committee
The LWV Duluth Diversity Equity Inclusion Committee is dedicated to including all voices in League activities. This committee works to advance cultural awareness and appreciation through educational programs, dialogue and action. We encourage conversations within LWV Duluth and the community at large about the reality of racism and racial inequities. We place a special emphasis on working with the Voter Service Committee to bring voter registration, voter education and get-out-the-vote efforts to all populations of Duluth, including those that are under-represented. Committee Chair: Gail Schoenfelder The committee meets one Saturday a month, September through May. Upcoming Committee Meetings/Events
Saturday, February 15,2025 Advocating for Housing See presentation document below Saturday, March 8, 2025 "Duluth, Minnesota at a Crossroads: Solutions for Becoming a Beloved Community of the North" Guest Speaker: Henry Banks All members of LWV Duluth are invited to attend! See below for more information about these meetings/events. |
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Upcoming Events and Meetings
Click the document below to view the
presentation from this event 
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Advocating for Housing
Saturday, February 15 10:00 -11:30 AM St. Paul’s Church, 1710 E. Superior St., Duluth Be part of the movement to address housing needs in our community!
The engaging session will cover: • Successes in housing advocacy • Continuing challenges and unmet needs. • Current policy proposals and • Practical ways you can advocate for housing solutions in Duluth. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn, connect and take action! RSVP to Gail at [email protected] to help us plan for seating and refreshments. | ||
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"Duluth, Minnesota at a Crossroads:
Solutions for Becoming a Beloved Community of the North" Saturday, March 8th 10:00 - 11:30AM Peace Church, 1111 N. 11th Ave. E., Duluth Guest Speaker: Henry Banks Henry Banks is a community leader, community organizer, and a racial and social justice activist. was a founding member of the Clayton Jackson McGhie Memorial Committee and a current member of the Duluth School Board.
He will share with us his perspectives on how we can contribute to Duluth becoming a more diverse, equitable and inclusive community. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn, connect and take action! RSVP to Gail at [email protected] to help us plan for seating and refreshments.
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Past Events and Meetings
DEI Committee meeting and Babette Sandman presentation
Tuesday, April 16, 2024
Click here to view the recording of this meeting
Speaker: Babette Sandman, immediate past chair of Duluth Indigenous Commission.
"Past & Present Impact of Indigenous Boarding Schools and The Way Forward to Achieve Meaningful Healing & Reconciliation"
Tuesday, April 16, 2024
Click here to view the recording of this meeting
Speaker: Babette Sandman, immediate past chair of Duluth Indigenous Commission.
"Past & Present Impact of Indigenous Boarding Schools and The Way Forward to Achieve Meaningful Healing & Reconciliation"
| Resource Page for Babette Sandman.pdf |
DEI Committee meeting and Deyona Kirk presentation
March 9, 2024
Click here to view the recording of this meeting
Deyona Kirk, a new member of LWV Duluth and a recent member of the League's DEI Committee talked to us about her journey to found Annie's House, a program that provides culturally specific services to BIPOC young mothers and their babies.
March 9, 2024
Click here to view the recording of this meeting
Deyona Kirk, a new member of LWV Duluth and a recent member of the League's DEI Committee talked to us about her journey to found Annie's House, a program that provides culturally specific services to BIPOC young mothers and their babies.
Black History Month: "Fannie Lou Hamer: Stand Up" documentary film
February 25, 2023
Black History Month film viewing and discussion of the documentary film, “Fannie Lou Hamer: Stand Up”. In this documentary film, civil rights legend Fannie Lou Hamer is remembered by those who worked side by-side with her in the struggle for voting rights. An African American sharecropper from the Mississippi Delta, Hamer’s difficulty registering to vote in 1962 led to her career as an outspoken activist, congressional candidate, and fierce fighter for the rights of all.
Link to documentary “Fannie Lou Hamer: Stand Up”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CxTReRmH2jA
Event co-hosted at Universalist Congregation of Duluth by LWV of Duluth and Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Duluth: Racial Justice Team with co-sponsors: St. Mark AME Church, Health Equity Northland, Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Duluth, Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, AAUW (American Association of University Women), First United Methodist Church, African Heritage Commission, Clayton Jackson McGhie, Inc, The Acting for Justice Hub of Peace UCC Church, AICHO, Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation Unity Fund Committee.
February 25, 2023
Black History Month film viewing and discussion of the documentary film, “Fannie Lou Hamer: Stand Up”. In this documentary film, civil rights legend Fannie Lou Hamer is remembered by those who worked side by-side with her in the struggle for voting rights. An African American sharecropper from the Mississippi Delta, Hamer’s difficulty registering to vote in 1962 led to her career as an outspoken activist, congressional candidate, and fierce fighter for the rights of all.
Link to documentary “Fannie Lou Hamer: Stand Up”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CxTReRmH2jA
Event co-hosted at Universalist Congregation of Duluth by LWV of Duluth and Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Duluth: Racial Justice Team with co-sponsors: St. Mark AME Church, Health Equity Northland, Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Duluth, Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, AAUW (American Association of University Women), First United Methodist Church, African Heritage Commission, Clayton Jackson McGhie, Inc, The Acting for Justice Hub of Peace UCC Church, AICHO, Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation Unity Fund Committee.
Monthly Meetings
"Reparations: Part 1"
Saturday, February 11, 2023
"Reparations: Part 2"
Saturday, May 13, 2023
The Diversity Equity Inclusion Committee members invited everyone to join them at their monthly meeting on Saturday, February 11 at 9:30 am on Zoom to discuss the topic of reparations in the first of a 2-part series. The committee explored, through video and discussion, what are reparations, why are reparations needed, what is HR 40 and its history. On May 13, the second of the 2-part series explored what communities around the nation are doing related to reparations.
Click here to view the recording of the February 11, 2023 meeting.
Click here to view the recording of the May 13, 2023 meeting.
"Reparations: Part 1"
Saturday, February 11, 2023
"Reparations: Part 2"
Saturday, May 13, 2023
The Diversity Equity Inclusion Committee members invited everyone to join them at their monthly meeting on Saturday, February 11 at 9:30 am on Zoom to discuss the topic of reparations in the first of a 2-part series. The committee explored, through video and discussion, what are reparations, why are reparations needed, what is HR 40 and its history. On May 13, the second of the 2-part series explored what communities around the nation are doing related to reparations.
Click here to view the recording of the February 11, 2023 meeting.
Click here to view the recording of the May 13, 2023 meeting.
"How Duluth is Addressing a Shortage of Affordable Housing"
Tuesday, April 12, 2022, 6:30 pm on Zoom
Jason Hale, Senior Developer, City of Duluth
Jeff Corey, Executive Director, One Roof Community Housing
Minnesota is noted for having some of the worst racial disparities in the nation. These disparities occur in the areas of housing, education, economic development, public safety, health and human services, and environmental justice. Statewide, as well as in Duluth, the demand for affordable housing exceeds the supply. BIPOC people are disproportionately affected by the need to spend more than 30% of their income on housing, leaving them less likely to have money to meet basic needs such as food, medicine, health care and transportation.
Click here to view the recording of How Duluth is Addressing a Shortage of Affordable Housing.
Tuesday, April 12, 2022, 6:30 pm on Zoom
Jason Hale, Senior Developer, City of Duluth
Jeff Corey, Executive Director, One Roof Community Housing
Minnesota is noted for having some of the worst racial disparities in the nation. These disparities occur in the areas of housing, education, economic development, public safety, health and human services, and environmental justice. Statewide, as well as in Duluth, the demand for affordable housing exceeds the supply. BIPOC people are disproportionately affected by the need to spend more than 30% of their income on housing, leaving them less likely to have money to meet basic needs such as food, medicine, health care and transportation.
Click here to view the recording of How Duluth is Addressing a Shortage of Affordable Housing.
"Redlining in Duluth. It Happened Here."
February 24, 2022 via Zoom
6:30 - 7:45 pm
February 24, 2022 via Zoom
6:30 - 7:45 pm
Kathy Wilson, AICP certified planner for the City of Duluth, spoke to our membership about the
research she did to document Duluth’s history of redlining. These redlining practices created and existed
over 8 decades resulting in racial inequities that persist to this day.
Knowing the uncomfortable truth of our past helps us understand our role in the present to undo these unjust policies.
research she did to document Duluth’s history of redlining. These redlining practices created and existed
over 8 decades resulting in racial inequities that persist to this day.
Knowing the uncomfortable truth of our past helps us understand our role in the present to undo these unjust policies.
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Redlining maps from all over the country here: https://dsl.richmond.edu/panorama/redlining/#loc=5/39.1/-94.58
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Click here to view the recording of Redlining in Duluth.
To view the video that is mentioned at minute 16 in this recording, please click below:
The Disturbing History of the Suburbs | Adam Ruins Everything
To view the video that is mentioned at minute 16 in this recording, please click below:
The Disturbing History of the Suburbs | Adam Ruins Everything
"Raising Awareness and
Visibility of Asian Americans"
Saturday, November 13, 2021 at 10:00 AM.
Click link below to view the recording of Raising Awareness and Visibility of Asian Americans.
https://youtu.be/kZ-lWnpNzNY
We heard from members of the Twin Ports APIDA Collective, a group of Asian Pacific Islander Desi Americans. We learned about what the Collective is doing in the Duluth/Superior area to advocate for awareness and equity of the Asian American community and what League can do as allies to support their work.
Our guests were Pakou Ly and Julia Cheng.
Visibility of Asian Americans"
Saturday, November 13, 2021 at 10:00 AM.
Click link below to view the recording of Raising Awareness and Visibility of Asian Americans.
https://youtu.be/kZ-lWnpNzNY
We heard from members of the Twin Ports APIDA Collective, a group of Asian Pacific Islander Desi Americans. We learned about what the Collective is doing in the Duluth/Superior area to advocate for awareness and equity of the Asian American community and what League can do as allies to support their work.
Our guests were Pakou Ly and Julia Cheng.
"Reshaping Policing and Public Safety in Duluth"
Saturday, September 11, 2021 at 10:00 am via Zoom
Police misconduct disproportionately affects Black and Indigenous people and people of color. During the past year groups across the country studied and considered options to reshape policing and public safety in their communities so that public safety systems work for everyone.
The committee learned about what Duluth’s Community Safety Initiative (DCSI) is proposing for Duluth on Saturday, September 11. Guest speaker Blair Powless discussed DCSI’s “Proposals for Community-led Police Accountability in Duluth” and what the response to these proposals has been to date.
Saturday, September 11, 2021 at 10:00 am via Zoom
Police misconduct disproportionately affects Black and Indigenous people and people of color. During the past year groups across the country studied and considered options to reshape policing and public safety in their communities so that public safety systems work for everyone.
The committee learned about what Duluth’s Community Safety Initiative (DCSI) is proposing for Duluth on Saturday, September 11. Guest speaker Blair Powless discussed DCSI’s “Proposals for Community-led Police Accountability in Duluth” and what the response to these proposals has been to date.
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National Memorial for Peace and Justice Tour
The Cross Cultural Committee met on Saturday, September 22, 2018 for a special program to learn more about the new National Memorial for Peace and Justice in Montgomery, Alabama. Speakers were Henry Banks, Teresa Koenig and LWV Duluth member, Portia Johnson. Several of those who rode the bus to Montgomery shared their experience and how it impacted their lives. A busload from Duluth traveled to Montgomery in April 2018 for the opening week of the Memorial to remember the 4400 African-Americans murdered in lynchings between 1877 and 1950. Their names are engraved on duplicate sets of columns, two for each county where a lynching was documented, including the 1920 lynching in Duluth of Elias Clayton, Elmer Jackson, and Isaac McGhie. |
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Book Resource List:
"Waking Up White and Finding Myself in the Story of Race," by Debby Irving, 2014
Note: This book was an "all LWVMN" read for 2019-20.
“The Myth of Race, The Reality of Racism: Critical Essays," by Mahmoud El-Kati, 2014
Mahmoud El-Kati, a historian who taught at Macalester College and the University of Minnesota.
"Witnessing Whiteness," by Shelly Tochluk, 2007
What it means to be white, to avoid race issues, and the detrimental effect of avoiding race on cross-race collaborations.
"Just Mercy," by Bryan Stevenson, 2014
Memoir that documents career defending disadvantaged in criminal justice system.
"My Grandmother’s Hands," by Resmaa Menakem, 2017
Racialized trauma and the pathway to mending our hearts and bodies.
"Onigamiising: seasons of an Ojibwe year, " by Linda LeGarde Grover, 2017
"A Good Time for the Truth: Race in Minnesota," edited by Sun Yung Shin, 2020
Minnesota writers provide perspectives on what it is like to live as a person of color.
"The Cultural Toolbox: traditional Ojibwe living in the modern world," by Anton Treuer, 2021
“Minnesota House Select Committee on Racial Justice Report," December 2020 https://www.lrl.mn.gov/docs/2021/other/210058.pdf
Sharon McMahon podcast episodes related to Indian Boarding Schools (series title is 'Taken" on the website sidebar), 2023 https://www.sharonmcmahon.com/blog?tag=taken
Sharon McMahon podcast episodes related to the Civil Rights Movement (series title is 'Momentum" on the website sidebar), 2023 https://www.sharonmcmahon.com/blog?page=2&tag=momentum
"Waking Up White and Finding Myself in the Story of Race," by Debby Irving, 2014
Note: This book was an "all LWVMN" read for 2019-20.
“The Myth of Race, The Reality of Racism: Critical Essays," by Mahmoud El-Kati, 2014
Mahmoud El-Kati, a historian who taught at Macalester College and the University of Minnesota.
"Witnessing Whiteness," by Shelly Tochluk, 2007
What it means to be white, to avoid race issues, and the detrimental effect of avoiding race on cross-race collaborations.
"Just Mercy," by Bryan Stevenson, 2014
Memoir that documents career defending disadvantaged in criminal justice system.
"My Grandmother’s Hands," by Resmaa Menakem, 2017
Racialized trauma and the pathway to mending our hearts and bodies.
"Onigamiising: seasons of an Ojibwe year, " by Linda LeGarde Grover, 2017
"A Good Time for the Truth: Race in Minnesota," edited by Sun Yung Shin, 2020
Minnesota writers provide perspectives on what it is like to live as a person of color.
"The Cultural Toolbox: traditional Ojibwe living in the modern world," by Anton Treuer, 2021
“Minnesota House Select Committee on Racial Justice Report," December 2020 https://www.lrl.mn.gov/docs/2021/other/210058.pdf
Sharon McMahon podcast episodes related to Indian Boarding Schools (series title is 'Taken" on the website sidebar), 2023 https://www.sharonmcmahon.com/blog?tag=taken
Sharon McMahon podcast episodes related to the Civil Rights Movement (series title is 'Momentum" on the website sidebar), 2023 https://www.sharonmcmahon.com/blog?page=2&tag=momentum