Presented by
Joyce Allen-Beckford, Director
December 17, 2009
2009 Highlights
 Structural Racism Symposium in Spring
Keynote presented by Professor john powell
The Kirwan Institute for the Study of Race & Ethnicity
Expanding Opportunity for All: Responding to the
Situatedness of Marginalized Populations
(60 participants attended the workshop, which was capacity for the ACI space)
Structural racism
 a discussion about race in the Obama era.
 connections that exist between race, place, and
poverty in the United States
 low-income communities are deprived of the essential
elements needed to promote advancement and
success in our society.
 strategies for addressing the needs of marginalized
communities.
Structural Racism – Feed Back
 Which part of today’s experience has been most
valuable for you? Briefly explain why?
 Pp’s presentation. It challenged a lot of my ideas and made me
hopeful of positive change.
 John powell’s talk was very inspiring and really made me think
outside of the box, when thinking about race
 Lecture made me take a step back from case work and remember the
bigger picture and why I got Involved in this work
AGE/AGEISM
Four Generations in the workplace
 To increase understanding of generational difference
and how these differences impact workplace
relationships
 To raise awareness of participants’ own norms and
values around generations and ageism
 To develop strategies for overcoming barriers to
creating more constructive relationships with
colleagues and clients with generational differences
 (143 participants attended workshops)
Four generations: Feed back
 How will you interact differently: colleagues from other generations
as a result of today’s experience?
 I will certainly be more conscious of generational differences –not a lens of seeing
people that I often consider or of which I’m aware.
 Keeping in mind that being from a particular generation may affect how one
interacts
 Be more cognizant of others’ communication styles
 Pause, form in my mind, a response (or initial statement to either bring about a
request or discussion) not only based on the generation of my colleague but also
in a way that shows respect and a welcome (acceptance) of other points of view.
Diversity Workshop
Medical Legal Partnership
 A condensed version of the 2007 Let’s get Real Series
 Designed to broaden the understanding of Diversity and
Cultural Competency within Medical Legal services
 Analyze their own understanding of how privilege, power,
and oppression impact their lives, and those of their
colleagues at Medical Legal Partnership
Medical Legal Partnership: Feedback
 How will you interact differently with colleagues from
other cultures as a result of today’s experience
 I think I’ll be more conscious of stereotyping or judging people w/o knowing
the things that I can’t see

Be more thoughtful about what I don’t know about people
 I’m reminded to assume nothing and be more proactive in keeping the topic
on the table
 More awareness and sensitivity for their background experiences
Center for Legal Aid Education:
Leadership Institute
Designed and Co facilitated the Fall Leadership Institute
Workshop on how to have:
Skillful Conversations about Power and Difference
Attorneys of Color Annual Retreat
 Attorney Verna Myers presented on:
 “Understanding the Four Levels of Multicultural Change and the
Personal Behaviors that Support Diversity Leadership”
 She presented frameworks for understanding how change
happens in an organization
 Also framework for developing personal behaviors that
contribute to powerful leadership within and on behalf of the
organization.
 Her presentation was very relevant and thought provoking
Other …..
Collaborated with MLAC Board Affairs Committee to:
contacted all attorney of color groups:
 Massachusetts Association of Hispanic Attorneys
 Massachusetts Black Lawyers Association
 Massachusetts Black Women Attorneys
 Asian-American Lawyers Association of
Massachusetts
 South Asian Bar Association of Greater Boston
Preview of 2010
Possibilities for 2010…..
 Meet with Project Directors to determine needs
 A retreat for paralegals and intake workers
 Continue workshop series: Gender, Sexuality, SES
 Be available for Diversity related issues within program
THANK YOU!