2020 GlobalMindED
The Future of Work is Diverse, Inclusive, Just and Equitable
GlobalMindED closes the equity gap by creating a capable, diverse talent pipeline through connections to role models, mentors, internships for low-income students, returning adults, First Gen to college and inclusive leaders who teach them, work with them and hire them.
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Thierry Dossou is an HP and GlobalMindED Inclusive Leader who masterminded the Teens in Tech program the last few years to get teens to learn about the emerging careers within technology while meeting the diverse people who— women and people of color—can open doors of experience and employment. He has been a strong advocate both within HP and with partners to close the equity gap by creating a capable, diverse talent pipeline.
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What was it like coming to America from Benin as a young immigrant on your own?
I was excited at the idea of coming to America. It was very exciting to come to America, despite the challenges that lay ahead. Since I was a child, I always wanted to invent stuff, and I always knew I wanted to become an engineer. I was a very curious child and my father encouraged, supported and introduced me to engineering. So coming to America to study engineering was the perfect opportunity. I moved to America right after high school, and enrolled in a community college where I took ESL (English as Second Language) courses, as well as other prerequisite courses for engineering. I worked while I was enrolled, and learned to improve my English reading and writing skills. After a couple of years at the community college, I was accepted in the college of engineering at Colorado State University. I transferred my courses to Colorado State University, and moved to Fort Collins, Colorado. I received my BS degree in Computer Engineering with a minor in Computer Science from Colorado State University. Despite the challenges I faced, I knew I had made the right decision with engineering. I worked hard and tried to stay on top of all my courses, as I wanted to make my parents proud. At the end it all paid off and I graduated as an outstanding Colorado State University student. I had dreamed of that very moment many times. It was a dream come true. I could remember my father's advice: “Son, allow yourself to dream, and keep your dream in the secret place in your heart, water your dream with faith and hard work. Don’t let anyone steal your dream. You know, you can steal everything from me, but you can never steal my dream”. I was very happy, and my parents were very proud of me. Prior to my graduation, I joined HP Inc. as intern, and was offered a full engineering position right after graduation.
What was the most surprising part of becoming an American citizen?
Becoming an American citizen was very exciting. But I was soon introduced to the terms "Minority" and "Marginalized". Being a black man in America, I was considered a minority, which to me, was a huge surprise, since I am from West Africa, where I am considered a "Majority". I was also surprised at how African Americans and women are underrepresented in the STEM fields. I was in shock when I realized there were very few people in the Engineering field that I could relate to.
As an inclusive leader at HP, how have you brought your international experience to the workplace?
HP serves a global community. I have to work with many people from different nationalities, and different cultures. It’s important for me to examine my own biases, and deepen my understanding of other cultures. As an international leader, I understand the value of diversity, I understand the value of different skills, perspectives, and experiences. I understand and appreciate the skills required to understand and navigate the complexity of a multicultural workplace and to drive innovation. I bring my Cultural Intelligence to my workplace. I collaborate with diverse groups at HP, and outside of HP to tackle real-world challenges we all face today. I also continue to building my network beyond my workplace.
As an African American leader during these multiple pandemics, what is your advice for young leaders who look up to you as a role model?
This is not the first time that a pandemic has hit the human race, nor will it be the last. We have always learned to thrive through the worst times. With that, I believe we are going to make it through this pandemic better than we were before. My hope is that we will learn how to handle the next one better. This pandemic is just one of the challenges we face today. This is not the time for young leaders to sit around, and hope someone else will solve these crises for us. We can’t afford to sit on the sideline any more. We need your help to find a vaccine for COVID 19; we need your help to create technologies that are required in the time like this; we need your help to find a cure for cancer; we need your help to protect our planet; we need your help to explore our own universe. Finally, it is important to stay healthy, and follow the authorities' guidelines around the pandemic.
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There are many benefits to being multilingual, multiliterate, and multicultural in today’s global society. Knowing more than one language from birth, acquiring a new language through school, or learning languages later in life can provide lifelong tangible benefits.
OELA, in collaboration with GlobalMindED is hosting a two-part webinar series. The purpose of the webinars is to inspire linguistically and culturally diverse students to cherish, nurture, and revere their primary culture, heritage, and language so they can realize the short- and long-term personal, educational, and professional benefits of being multilingual.
The first webinar – "Retention of Heritage Culture and Language(s)," is a discussion of the cognitive, economic, educational, and sociocultural benefits of multilingualism with expert panelists from a variety of fields and professions.
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Multilingualism opens career opportunities in the public and private sectors and can raise the occupational status and earning potential of individuals who are proficient in more than one language. Language skills also can serve as an important resource for learning and development of problem-solving competencies.
In the second webinar – "Language Assets for Career Preparedness," the panel will discuss how multilingualism can shape career paths and share how language skills have influenced their career trajectories.
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In case you missed the Back to School in Times Like No Other sessions, here are links to our YouTube channel:
Get Comfortable Being Uncomfortable: A Conversation on Race, Isms, Justice, Moving Forward and the Role White People Need to Play: Ryan Ross; Associate Vice Chancellor: Student Affairs, Equity, and Inclusion, Colorado Community College System leads the conversation with Clifton Taulbert; President and CEO, Freemount Corporation and Roots Java Coffee, Javon Brame; Dean of Students, Arapahoe Community College, Chelsea Williams; Founder & CEO, College Code LLC, and Representative Leslie Herod; Legislator, Colorado General Assembly
Equity in Engineering Programs: Priming the STEM Pipeline During and After COVID-19: Dr. Dora Renaud, Sr. Director of Academic Programs & Professional Development, SHPE: Leading Hispanics in STEM, Melanie Suarez, Student, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, Mechanical Engineering, Nicolas Valencia Diaz, Student, Florida International University, Biomedical Engineering, Sophia Plata, PhD Student, University of Southern California, Environmental Engineering
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To view the recent Rural sessions, please see our YouTube channel:
Native American Business Opportunities, Tribal Economic Development and Post-secondary Education/Workforce Participation: J.C. Whorton, Jr.; Consultant, Lecturer, Author and Adjunct Faculty, University of Colorado Boulder, Don Kelin; President, Fox Professional Services, Rocky Mountain Indian Chamber of Commerce, Matt Rantanen; Director of Technology, Southern California Tribal Chairmen’s Association, Tribal Digital Village Network Initiative, and Melvin Monette; CEO, Indigenous Education, Inc.
Fortifying Native Students, Faculty and Communities During and After COVID-19: Ron Lessard (Mohawk); Acting Exec. Director, White House Initiative on American Indian and Alaska Native Education leads panel including Diana Cournoyer; Oglala Sioux Tribe, Executive Director, National Indian Education Association, Michael Chamberlain; Special Assistant for Rural Outreach, US Department of Education, Carrie L. Billy; President & CEO, American Indian Higher Education Consortium, and features a performance by Ava Rose Johnson; Student and Musician, Native American Music Awards Winner
Rural Innovations in Education During COVID-19: Anne Trujillo; Anchor 7News, Denver moderates the panel which includes Tina Goar; Executive Director, San Luis Valley BOCES, Dr. Robert Mitchell; Asst. Professor of Leadership, Research, and Foundations, UCCS, Luis Murillo; Principal, Skoglund Middle School, and Samantha Yocam; Superintendent and Principal, Kim School District
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THE FLYOVER NATION
Energy's Role in a Troubled Heartland
By J.C. Whorton
A unique and timely discussion of the challenging issues facing the country’s troubled Heartland.
Since the beginning of westward expansion into the Heartland’s vast regions, natural resource development has played a historic role in shaping its communities. Today, domestic oil and gas development offers one of the strongest prospects for the Heartland’s present and future prosperity as well as the nation’s re-emergence as a dominant player in the global energy economy.
The U.S. is now the world’s largest producer of crude oil and natural gas, two circumstances that are universally disrupting international geopolitical order. The earth has a finite supply of natural resources and a rapidly growing and over consuming population.
As America positions itself for a very uncertain and constantly evolving global marketplace, will the Heartland become America’s “great connector” or “great divide”?
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J.C. Whorton is a senior level energy and financial professional with over forty years of essential experience. Having a ranching and Native American heritage, Mr. Whorton is a strong advocate for rural education and economic development initiatives.
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Links to read about Inclusive Leaders, many of whom are African American and people of color:
Curated sessions from GlobalMindED 2020 YouTube channel:
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From the Center for Positive Organizations:
From the Economist:
From Forbes:
From Harvard Business Review:
From the World Academy of Art & Science and UN; Geneva Global Leadership in the 21st Century econference:
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Listen here for an interview with Pam Newkirk, GlobalMindED speaker and author of Diversity Inc.: The Failed Promise of a Billion- Dollar Business.
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Responding to Crisis
The 30-Day Justice Plan
As the reset of America is underway, understanding the role you can play in a system of change can be difficult, but we encourage you to listen, learn and be active. To start, instead of, say, a juice cleanse, feed your brain and move yourself with this practical plan over the next month. Here's our guide of what to read, watch, listen to and do in order to be part of the solution.
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Your copy should address 3 key questions: Who am I writing for? (Audience) Why should they care? (Benefit) What do I want them to do here? (Call-to-Action)
Create a great offer by adding words like "free" "personalized" "complimentary" or "customized." A sense of urgency often helps readers take an action, so think about inserting phrases like "for a limited time only" or "only 7 remaining!"
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GlobalMindED and the SDG Impact Fund are delighted to announce GlobalMindED's Donor Advised Fund. 2020 is the 75th Anniversary of the United Nations and the 25th Anniversary of the Beijing Women's Declaration and Action Platform. Many from around the world are thinking of 2020 as the gateway to our most vital decade for delivering equity, the Sustainable Development Goals, and a world where all can thrive. Our key time for these outcomes is 2020-2030.
GlobalMindED DAF and the SDG Impact Fund are a powerful combined force for good as the 2019 year comes to a close and we reflect on the gratitude and the commitments we make to the causes we care most about. The DAF offers immense power and flexibility for giving prior to the year's end as you plant seeds of generous intention for 2020 and the decade ahead.
When you contribute to GlobalMindED, you support First Gen students. We have served more than 400 students by connecting them to role models, mentors, internships and jobs. Your generous support will allow us to take our work 10x and reach these talented students at scale who lack the resources and support we provide. Your support also helps teachers who can't afford the conference fees, faculty at colleges which are under resourced and students who persist at those universities despite food insecurity and/or housing insecurity.
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Meet GlobalMindED Founder, Carol Carter as interviewed by Tim Moore on his podcast Success Made to Last: From Success to Significance
Listen to Part 1 of Carol's interview
Listen to Part 2 of Carol's interview
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Recent GlobalMindED Newsletter Profiles:
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Since 2006 when the flagship TGR Learning Lab opened its doors in Anaheim, CA, TGR Foundation has had a lot to celebrate, including its most recent milestone of one million students impacted by TGR EDU: Explore, alone.
Developed in partnership with Discovery Education, TGR EDU: Explore is a free digital resource library that offers interactive web experiences, lesson plans, training videos and tools for educators, students and families to explore new disciplines and gain skills for a modern and expanding workforce.
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As you start the New Year, are you looking for ways to re-engineer your classroom culture? Check out Designing the Future: How Engineering Builds Creative Critical Thinking in the Classroom. The associated website has lots of activities, projects, and resources you can implement immediately. Our fall workshops using the book as a roadmap for change have been highly successful. Start designing the future today - try using the customized Study Guide for a book study in your PLC. Or contact ProjectEngin or Solution Tree to learn how you can bring professional development based on Ann's book to your school, district, or conference.
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