Speakers, Panelists to Challenge Johnson DEIA Day Participants to Think and Act Boldly
On March 27, 2024, the Johnson Space Center’s Office of Diversity and Equal Opportunity (ODEO) will host Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) Day. The day-long event seeks to enhance the DEIA competency of employees and supervisors alike, resulting in a workplace culture where every employee feels respected, safe, and empowered so the team can collectively drive innovation in support of NASA’s mission.
In addition to pre-recorded remarks by NASA Administrator Bill Nelson and an in-person welcome from Johnson Center Director Vanessa Wyche, the DEIA Day program will feature a keynote presentation by Demetria Miles-McDonald, the founder and CEO of Decide Diversity. Miles-McDonald’s own experiences in the workplace inspired her to help other organizations increase the presence and effectiveness of underrepresented groups in their workforce, and particularly in leadership positions. She specializes in bringing the experiences of people who identify with two or more marginalized groups to the forefront, to better understand and utilize the strengths they bring to the workplace.
“DEIA is important to me because I know what it feels like to be excluded, but more importantly, I understand the power of being included! To be in spaces where I feel seen, I am heard, and I feel confident to bring my perspective, thoughts, and ideas to the table is a transformative experience – both for me and those I work with,” said Miles-McDonald. “Creating spaces where everyone can thrive is how we go from good to great.”
After McDonald’s presentation, DEIA Day participants can choose to attend one of two panel discussions.
“DEIA: This is How we DUE It” will explore how Johnson is working to foster a diverse and inclusive environment and how those efforts tie into the center’s Dare | Unite | Explore (DUE) commitments. The panelists include Jennifer Scott Williams, assistant to the center director for technical integration; Raul Blanco, Crew and Thermal Systems Division chief; and Nicole Jordan, manager of the Commercial Crew Program’s Spacecraft Office. Director of External Relations Arturo Sanchez III will serve as the panel’s moderator.
A second panel will delve further into DUE and feature representatives from Johnson’s employee resource groups (ERGs). Employee Assistance Program counselor Anika Isaac will lead the discussion Andrea Browne, African American ERG chair; Margaret Kennedy, former Emerge membership secretary; Livette Santiago Cardona, GROW chair; and Kent Kalogera, Out & Allied ERG chair. The panelists are “DARING to create a space to discuss stressors that can divide, to evoke what UNITES us, to EXPLORE actions to keep us connected to our shared NASA spaceflight mission.” They encourage all Johnson employees to “be BOLD” and submit their questions ahead of DEIA Day to engage in crucial conversations to promote understanding, inclusion, and insight that builds unity in our Johnson NASA community.
A lunch break featuring food trucks and entertainment will follow the formal program. DEIA Day will conclude with a Dimensions of Diversity Privilege Walk led by Chasity Williams, Johnson’s lead human resources specialist, and Robert Blake, ODEO deputy director.
The complete DEIA Day agenda is available here.