| Black conference
promotes success
By Pamela Glason Thornton
Staff Writer
Columbus Post
When broken down or examined carefully, the workplace and
society treat blacks differently. Sharing experiences with
people who have been through similar situations reinforces a
common bond.
The Tell It Like It Is: Working While Black conference will
address the related issues of employment and economics. The
conference goal is to empower attendees and their families in
these areas.
Rhunette Diggs, Ph.D. and Gloria Robinson, R.N., M.S.,
co-founders of the organization PREVAIL-RESPECT, developed the
two-day conference.
“ We desire to enlighten those who want to know the meaning of
working while black and to empower the black worker and
professional with tools and resources to successfully navigate
work,” said Robinson in a statement.
An African-American female with a background in mental health
and family counseling, Robinson is the executive director and
Diggs, a college professor and academician, is the associate
director.
“ We often talked about our challenges and the statistics
regarding advancement, promotions and tenure in the workplace.
When you look at the whole, there is still bias,” said Diggs.
Friday evening’s speakers include Senator Ray Miller, who has
held legislative positions from city council to the House of
Representatives; Marketing Entrepreneur JoAnna Williamson will
address success and related issues. Karl W. Reid, Associate
Dean, Undergraduate Education and Director of the Office of
Minority Education, MIT, stresses the importance of education.
Networking begins at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, March 31 at the
First Church of God, 3480 Refugee Rd.
Speakers for the conference cite statistics that reveal lower
salaries for black employees compared to their white
co-workers. An initiative to improve relationships among
African Americans, PREVAIL-RESPECT! stands for Promoting Role
Empowerment through Values, Acceptance, Interaction and Love.
(PREVAIL)
The organization’s aim is to RESPECT!, Reclaim the Essence of
Survival through Peacemaking and Effective Communication
Today!
Diggs’ academic background and Robinson’s health background
combine to produce holistic wellness for the African-American
family.
PREVAIL-RESPECT! co-founders have conducted workshops on
topics ranging from economics and safety to depression and
strategies for peace.
“ Regardless of what we do, all of our experience is
collectively about being black,” said Diggs.
The co-founders focus on Africa and the development of its
people – young and old.
Conference presenters assert that blacks may be judged in the
workplace by a different set of job performance expectations.
Khari Enaharo, author of Race Code War: The Power of Words,
Images and Symbols on the Black Psyche, will participate in
the conference on Saturday morning. Race Code War, which
reveals language that is often hidden by employers and within
society, brings out issues that affect blacks daily.
Workshops and discussions designed to get youth involved in
examining their outlook and destiny begin at 9:00 a.m. on
Saturday, April 1.
The workshops were designed to cross generations. “What do we
say to the generation following us about getting beyond the
statistics? The youth need to know how to land your first job,
how to manage money and how to be healthy starting early,”
said Diggs. |