Check out the conference schedule for the Latinx Leads conference.
Registration 5:30pm-6:00pm
Welcome & Keynote Session 6:00pm-7:15pm
Session Title: Breaking Borders: Level Up your Leadership to Increase LatinX Legacy Keynote Speaker: Jonathan Medina
Room: Buckhead Ballroom
Description: In this session you will learn a practical framework based on research from polling students from all across the United States and Canada about latinx leadership. In addition to that leaders & professionals will be exposed to strategies and ideas they can pass along to their students when faced with Latinx issues.
After attending this session leaders & professionals will learn:
Breakfast 8:00am-9:00am
Session Block I 9:15am-10:30am
Session A
Workshop Title: The Power of Data in Advocacy
Presenter: Ariana Nunez, MPH
Room: Buckhead A
Description: The Power of Data in Advocacy explores the importance and impact of utilizing data in advocacy to influence change in our communities. Participants will learn about different types of data, using technology and other skillsets for data analysis, potential education and career paths, and various resources that can be used to explore publicly available data and learn the skills. We will also understand the importance of having a diverse representation of professionals who develop data collection tools, and apply our knowledge through games and a group activity.
Session B
Workshop Title: No Hables: Latinx faculty and staff and Employee Silence Presenter: Brandon Quiles
Room: Buckhead B
Description: Employee silence is a phenomenon within organizational cultures where employees intentionally withhold information that might be useful to the organization of which they are a part (Milliken & Morrison 2000; Pinder & Harlos, 2001). Many employees are reluctant to speak up, resulting in vital information, knowledge, creativity and innovation being withheld which can have negative consequences for the organization and the individuals choosing silence (Greenberg & Edwards, 2009; Gurchiek, 2006; Milliken & Morrison 2000; Pinder & Harlos, 2001; Trinkaus & Giacalone, 2005; van Dyne, Ang, & Botero, 2003). Those consequences include low productivity, effectiveness, and retention; soiled interpersonal relationships; and individual psychological effects such as feelings of anger, worry, embarrassment, and resentment (Cortina & Magley 2003; Perlow & Williams 2003). Institutions of higher learning are typically havens that protect free speech and academic freedom, but employee silence is still prevalent in these spaces. Court decisions and industry standards address the importance and effects of free speech by faculty, and staff on the college community and greater democracy (Sweezy v. New Hampshire, 1957; AAUP, 1940). Utilizing Knoll and van Dick’s (2012) conceptual framework, this talk explains the different types of employee silence; acquiescent, quiescent, prosocial, and opportunistic. Preliminary research suggests that acquiescent and quiescent silence will be the most prevalent among Latinx employees. The significance of this research study is to inform the strategies, practices, policies, and trainings that need to be implemented or reevaluated to eliminate or significantly reduce the negative effects to productivity, relationships, perceptions, individual health, and employee retention that silence creates.
Session C
Workshop Title: Embracing your Latinx Values in Predominantly White Spaces
Presenters: Cassandra Gonzalez, M.A.
Room: Augusta
Description: Individuals who grew up in an environment different from the mainstream culture, usually tend to adjust their behavior, values, or code-switch to fit into predominantly white spaces. How long before we disconnect from our authentic-selves and Latinx family values if we continue to participate in these behavior adjustments? In this experiential-based workshop, participants will discuss the values in the Latinx culture and its importance in their workplace or institution. Through large and small group discussions, participants will learn how to embrace their Latinx roots and values in a predominantly white space while still maintaining professional boundaries.
Session Block II 10:45am – 12:00PM
Workshop Title: Combatting Colorism in the Latinx and Caribbean Community
Presenter: Marie Parfait-Davis, Ed.D.
Description: Colorism is alive and well in the LatinX community and across the diaspora. The prejudice and discrimination against individuals with a dark skin tone amongst people of the same ethnic group is rooted in colonization and slavery. As City College Professor of Latino Studies, Iris Lopez notes, “Latinos are vey color color conscious and use a color classification system, and because Latinos don’t identify with a race, they often use labels tied to hair type, skin color and facial features instead.” In this session, participants will learn the historical context of colorism in LatinX communities and across the diaspora and its impact on students’ academic outcomes as well as students’ social and emotional well being. Participants will analyze several tools and resources to actively combat colorism.
Session B Workshop Title: Hustle Hard: Strategies for Combating Hustle Culture and the Expectations of Being Latinx Room: Buckhead B
Presenter: Brandon Quiles, Gabriel Molina, Jessica Sanchez, Genesis Alves
Description: Hustle culture is real. The internalized stress of aiming to live up to the exceptionalism associated with #LatinExcellence combined with the external and historical pressures of supporting our families and larger communities is a heavy burden to balance. Latinx students are experiencing immense pressure to hustle harder to keep up with these demands (Covarrubias, 2021; Villanueva, 2020). Managing the competing priorities of school, work, familial obligations, student leadership responsibilities, career and graduate school planning, community engagement, and general social relationship maintenance is an expectation society and higher education institutions place on Latinx students without the necessary cultural awareness or systems and structures to properly support this population.
In parts interactive and reflective, participants in this workshop will learn strategies on how to manage the stresses of being Latinx and a leader, and be provided resources for support.
Workshop Title: Welcome 2 the Jungle: The Diversity & Leadership Training College Leaders NEED to Survive the Future
Presenter: Jonathan Medina
Description: In this session you plan an entire year of strategies and ideas you can use or pass along to your students to survive future DEI (diversity equity & inclusion) issues. Mastermind practical ideas from top Professionals based on real life experience. Research based best practices from top leaders. Bonus: 1 FREE Gift for all who attend.
Results of this session include:
Lunch
12:00pm-1:00pm
Session Block III
1:15pm-2:30pm
Workshop Title: How Musicianship Informs Leadership in the Music Industry
Presenter: Russell Clarke
Description: The Music Industry is filled with powerhouse musicians and business icons who create the media that we consume and shape a large part of the entertainment industry that we know today. Several of these industry leaders started as musicians and then worked their way into leadership roles. So how did they achieve this, and what did they learn as musicians that allowed them to excel in their roles as leaders?
Session B Workshop Title: Real Talk Conversations: Substance Use Disorder in Black and Brown Communities
Presenter: Marie Miller and Teri Carlyle
Description: Real Talk Conversations on Erasing the Stigma of Opioid/Substance Use Disorder in the Black and Brown community is a safe space to come and learn about the opioid epidemic; signs of opioid use disorder; and ways to reverse an overdose. Come and receive NARCAN, fentanyl test strips, and a gift!
Workshop Title: From Stigma to Advocacy: Promoting Mental Health on your Campuses
Presenter: Jose L. Posos, M.Ed., LPC
Description: Have you ever struggled mentally or emotionally but felt too ashamed to reach out for help? You are not alone – 1 out of 5 adults will have a diagnosable mental illness in their lifetime. Although mental health is so important, we rarely talk about it with friends, family members, or in our communities. Let’s change that! Come participate in this presentation to discuss the importance of mental health and highlight how together you can change your campus community to be more supportive of your and others mental health!
Breakfast 8:30am-9:30am
Session Block I 9:30am-10:30am
Workshop Title: Confronting and Combating Anti-Blackness in the Latinx Community Presenters: Jose Luis Posos, M.Ed., LPC
Description: Anti-blackness is certainly alive and well in the Latinx community. From brushing off jokes that are racist to using questionable nicknames for people who are Black to interrogating Black Latinxs about their identity, there is a significant amount of work that needs to occur to effectively combat these bigoted behaviors. This workshop focuses on addressing how non-Black Latinxs perpetuated anti-blackness inside and outside the Latinx community through self-exploration of one’s conditioning and unconscious biases
Workshop Title: Creating an Inclusive Community for Your Students
Presenter: Dr. A. Tamika Quick
Description: Building Inclusive Communities is an initiative to promote inclusion, respect, and accountability to be different together. As higher education professionals we have to assess what inclusion efforts currently exist to support a sense of belonging for our students. After assessing what is being done well and what has opportunities for improvement we have to create action plans to cultivate cultural changes. Lastly, we must discuss ways to execute the initiatives while ensuring buy-in from students, faculty, and staff members. This workshop is geared towards reviewing various higher education assessments that are available to evaluate DEI efforts and discuss various initiatives and programs that can be implemented to move the needle forward towards inclusivity on college campuses.
Break 10:30am – 10:45am
Closing 10:45am – 12:00PM
Workshop Title: Campus Action Plan
Presenters: Latinx Leads Conference Team
Description: In the culminating activity of Latinx Leads 2023, students and advisors will meet in breakout rooms with their respective campus groups, select the first campus issue they plan to address and brainstorm action steps to begin to implement their plan. Campus groups will present their action plans to each other to permit sharing of ideas across campuses.