Rising Above Hate: Trends in Diversity, Inclusion, & Gender Equity
by Machada Smith-McGovern
In this China Chat, Machada Smith-McGovern will dive deeper into the disturbing rise of hate crimes and incidents in the AAPI community and examine emerging trends in the field of diversity & inclusion. She will also discuss her journey to the field of DEI through cross-cultural education, building allyship between marginalized communities, & fostering understanding across our differences. 

Bio: Machada Smith-McGovern is the Organizational Development Associate for InterExchange, a Department of State designated J-1 visa sponsor and cultural exchange non-profit organization. She oversees staff experience and engagement, and chairs and designs the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Committee and program. She also serves as an independent consultant and Senior Facilitator at Translator, an innovative DEI analytics software agency.

Machada studied Chinese Language and Literature & International Studies at the University of Kansas and Advanced Chinese Language at Peking University. She began studying Mandarin Chinese in middle school and has been passionate about cross cultural education ever since. In her spare time, Machada serves as the volunteer Board Chair for Teens of Color Abroad, a Black-led non-profit devoted to providing American youth of color with opportunities to study foreign languages and go abroad.
WHEN: Wednesday, May 11, 2022, 7-8 pm

WHERE: Zoom Webinar

COST: Free and open to the public. Please register below.
Moderator: Mara Youngren-Brown, Customer Success Operations Enablement Coordinator at NAVEX Global

Mara graduated Summa Cum Laude from Linfield University with a double major in International Relations and Global Cultural Studies. Her interests include Chinese politics, US-Sino relations, and the Asian American experience in the US and abroad. Mara grew up in Kenai, Alaska, and now resides in Portland, OR.

During the 2019-2020 academic year, Mara studied at Peking University in Beijing, China as a Gilman Scholar. She is also a published writer and media creative whose work focuses on exploring Asian American identity and experiences.
Established in 1980, the mission of the Northwest China Council is to promote a greater understanding of Chinese history, culture, business, and contemporary affairs.