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The Bridge
PLDIC News and Resources
August 19, 2020

Moving Pittsburgh's Legal Community Forward, Together
CORRECTION - UPDATED REGISTRATION LINKS
It was brought to our attention that there was an error with the Ritu Bhasin registration links sent out earlier today. Below are the correct links to register for the sessions. If you've already registered under the previous links, we will be in touch with you shortly to confirm. Please accept our apology for this mistake.
Towards a Culture of Inclusion
Set to Kick Off in September
REGISTER NOW for Ritu Bhasin and Robin DiAngelo
Registration is now open for the first two programs in Towards a Culture of Inclusion, both presented by Ritu Bhasin, a dynamic diversity, equity and inclusion global leader. Sign up now for one or both of these virtual interactive sessions to be held September 15:

Session #1:
  • PLDIC Leaders Webinar — As an Ally, How Can You Interrupt Racial Bias in the Workplace? - 8:30-10:30 a.m.
Ritu will explain how racial bias lives in the bodies and minds of all of us and offer specific behaviors our leaders can employ to be more racially inclusive in how they live, work and lead.
Session #2:
  • PLDIC Lawyers of Color Webinar — The Internalization of Racial Bias: What Happens in the Workplace - 1-3 p.m.
Ritu will explore the neuroscience of how racial bias and trauma are linked and outline practical strategies to allow our diverse lawyers to thrive both personally and professionally.
For those of you who have signed up for our Ally-Ready certification program, both of these sessions are considered TRAININGS.
PLDIC members can hear Robin DiAngelo discuss her bestselling book, White Fragility; Why It’s So Hard for White People to Talk About Race with Valerie Kinloch, Dean of the University of Pittsburgh School of Education on September 10 (or anytime after).
For Ally-Ready trainees, this program is considered an OUTSIDE OPPORTUNITY.
Additional TACOI Programming Announced
In OCTOBER: the first of three Conversations on Race
The diverse lawyers we seek to attract to Pittsburgh and to retain here not only need a welcoming and supportive work environment, but also a welcoming and supportive environment in which to live. They need to find a home. And a community and all the things that go along with that. If they grew up here, they know what they will find. And if they are moving here, they can discover everything they need to know on the internet. Much of what they will find about Pittsburgh is negative. There’s no sense in acting like we don’t see what’s wrong. We have to look it in the eye, be prepared to understand its impact on our colleagues and friends, and think about what we can do about it. 
 
In October, on a date to be determined, the Coalition will hold the first of three Conversations on Race, this one examining race in Pittsburgh. We will present:
  • Anupama jain, Executive Director of the city’s Gender Equality Commission, which earlier this year, released the Report on Gender and Racial Inequality in Pittsburgh; and
  • Junia Howell, an assistant professor in the University of Pittsburgh’s Department of Sociology and the lead author of the Report.
 
They will be joined by a panel of individuals who will discuss their own experiences of race in Pittsburgh.
For Ally-Ready trainees, this is a CONVERSATION ON RACE.
In NOVEMBER: Proven Effective Bias-Interruption Training
Now we know: we’re all unconsciously biased. But how do we change that? Surely, there’s something we can do about it.
 
In November, the Coalition will offer two sessions of Bias-Interruption Training offered by Dr. Will Cox of the University of Wisconsin — one on November 17 from 2:30 - 5:30 p.m. and one on November 19 from 8 - 11 a.m. The training is being offered twice to allow for as many people as possible to attend this important program. Dr. Cox’s evidence-based approach is the only bias-interruption program which has proved effective to produce long-term changes in unconsciously biased behavior in over 20 randomized studies. Featured in The Atlantic, the training has been provided to public school teachers, judges, lawyers, graduate students, public officials, and many others. 
For Ally-Ready trainees, this session is a REQUIRED TRAINING.
Interested in Becoming a Diversity Ally?
Learn more about Towards a Culture of Inclusion and the requirements to be certified Ally-Ready by the PLDIC. Those interested in signing up to participate should do so below.
Speaking of the Importance of Allyship...
You might want to check out sociologist Tsedale Melaku discussing her new book, “You Don’t Look Like a Lawyer: Black Women and System Gendered Racism." In the interview, she says now is the time for law firm employees to “step up in the moment” and become allies who take a critical look at how practices, policies and culture hinder workplace equity. Those actions can be bolstered simply by learning and listening.
Diverse-Owned Business in This Week's Spotlight
Grandma B's Cafe, owned by Dorian Moorefield, was recommended by University of Pittsburgh School of Law Director of Equity & Inclusive Excellence Vincent Johnson (pictured below with Moorefield), who said:

“You can’t go wrong with any of the sandwiches at Grandma B’s Cafe in the historic Hill District, and I recommend the fish sandwich with fries. They also make a classic hot made-to-order breakfast. Grandma B’s Cafe was named for owner Dorian Moorefield’s 98-year old grandmother, a former baker.”
Grandma B's Cafe, Owned by Dorian Moorefield
Grandma B's Cafe is Currently Open for Take-Out Orders Only!

Visit Grandma B's Cafe to pickup takeout at 2537 Wylie Avenue (Hill District), Pittsburgh, PA,15219. Call 412-681-4087 to place an order and support this diverse-owned business!

Read more
pghlegaldiversity.org
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