The topic of our August 17th Diversity Dialogue was Criminalization & Race: No More! We spent some time discussing how the lens of criminality has been associated with some racial groups. We explored some positive approaches for building community and moving away from models focused on criminality to models focused on building positive and enriching opportunities for community investment and involvement. Our Guest Speakers were Heather Guy (Racial Justice Coordinator, YWCA Northeast Indiana) and Amos Norman (District Executive Director, YMCA of Greater Fort Wayne, Renaissance Pointe YMCA). Learn more about our speakers below and view the PowerPoint presentation here.
Guest Speakers:
Amos Norman
Amos has been experienced in nonprofit operational functions and program development for over 20 years. He currently serves as a District Executive Director with the YMCA of Greater Fort Wayne. Amos graduated from the University of Saint Francis with a Bachelors in Social Work and has a Master’s in Organizational Leadership from Purdue University. He is passionate and deeply committed to investing in his local community. His involvement with many organizations, boards, and committees allows him to intersect his organizational knowledge and expertise with community outreach and support.
Heather Guy
Heather serves as the Racial Justice Coordinator at YWCA Northeast Indiana. She received her B.A. and M.A. from Indiana University. She has primarily worked as a youth professional in various capacities and has experience with all stages of development, from infancy to returning adult college students. Heather is especially passionate about empowering First-Generation college students and First-Generation Americans. As YWCA's Racial Justice Coordinator, she is excited at the opportunity to be of service to intersecting communities in need.
"It is a blessing to be someone's blessing."