Your Quarterly DEI news & updates Q2 2023

Happy Spring Fellow IREM members!   Spring, a time for new beginnings and transformations – a time to do or learn something new. The DEI committee and I hope you are constantly on the move to do just that – to learn about and celebrate our differences in a fun, inclusive and supportive environment.    The committee and guests recently visited the Reginald F. Lewis Museum where we learned about Maryland African American history and culture. We enhanced our cultural competency, curiosity, discussed our shared experiences and had some ah-ha moments. We also gained new members – the committee is now 19 active members strong!   Our goal is to continue providing opportunities for continuous learning. As such, we will be hosting our 2nd annual “Dinner, Drinks, and DEI” with a presentation on Redlining, the discriminatory practice of denying services to residents of certain areas based on race or ethnicity, at Busboys and Poets on April 13th, 4 P.M. – 7 P.M. We look forward to seeing you.    As always, big thanks to the amazing committee members for their contributions and to you for supporting this important initiative! DEI members strive to be the beacons of change. If you have additional ideas or suggestions, let us know. We’d love to hear from you!   Happy new beginnings and continue to live and learn well. Sharón Turner – DEI Committee Chair – Leading with passion and purpose to make impactful changes. Photo credits: left, Julie Coyle; right, Sharón Turner

Celebrate Diversity Month in April

Recognizing diversity has been a much larger focus over the last few years however, for some, it has been an initiative for close to 20 years. In April of 2004, two diversity consulting firms started Celebrate Diversity Month after recognizing the depth of multiculturalism in the world and the importance of being sensitive to all diverse groups. Today, this initiative is recognized globally. Globally, Diversity Month is celebrated in October. In the US, it is celebrated in April. This is the perfect time to intentionally make efforts to understand our similarities as well as our differences, and be open minded to those of different races, ethnicities, genders, sexual orientations, socio-economic status, age, physical abilities, religious beliefs, political beliefs, or other ideologies. When people feel accepted, valued and can be their authentic selves, everyone wins. The benefits to embracing our differences will make our communities, workplaces and friendships thrive.  “We all should know that diversity makes for a rich tapestry, and we must understand that all the threads of the tapestry are equal in value no matter what their color.” – Dr. Maya Angelou To learn more visit nationaltoday.com/celebrate-diversity or https://ala-gateway.org/downloads/Heritage_Months/heritage_diversity_awareness_april.pdf Contributor: Dani Bressler, Toepfer Construction

May is all about Mental Health

May was designated as the Mental Health Awareness Month in 1949 by the Mental Health America organization. Many organizations join the movement to raise awareness about mental health. They fight stigma, provide support, educate the public, and advocate for policies that support people with mental illness. Despite this, millions of Americans with mental illness continue to suffer in silence, and shame, even though being mentally ill no longer carries the negative stigma it used to. As a result of the COVID pandemic, people realized that family, physical, and mental health should be on the top of the list. Hence, began the great resignation of corporate America. In response to this trend, employers changed their focus to be more employee friendly by acknowledging the need for a better-quality work life balance, improved health insurance plans/programs, and offering remote work, or a four-day work week. 89% of HR/benefits leaders say mental health support is a high priority. It reduces the number of sick days, decreases claims, reduces stress and burnout. Moreso, it increases productivity and reduces employee turnover. Employers are providing training on how to identify a person that maybe having a mental issue, or episode, and who to contact for assistance. To our benefit, the County, State, and Federal governments have established hotlines, and free resources to assist the mass public. If you, or someone you know is struggling with mental health, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org. To learn more, check out the Mental Health America website https://mhanational.org/ Contributor: Sherraine Rawlins, Bacchus

Did You Know?

April is National Fair Housing Month, celebrating the passage of the Fair Housing Act in April 1968. This act protects individuals from discrimination in housing based on their race, color, national origin, religion, and gender. As real estate professionals, National Fair Housing month can be celebrated by advocating and committing to end discrimination in housing. For more information visit https://www.hud.gov/FHM

Did you know that Wednesday, May 17, 2023, is the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia? In 2004, the day was created to draw attention to violence and discrimination against people with diverse sexual orientations. The date is significant because in 1990 the World Health Organization declassified homosexuality as a mental disorder. For more information visit https://may17.org/

June 12th is Loving Day. Did you know it’s called Loving day because it’s the last name of Mildred and Richard Loving? They were arrested for being married in 1958 for being an interracial couple in Virginia. Nine years after their arrest, their case went to the U.S. Supreme Court where the family won on June 12, 1967. This was not only a win for the Loving’s, but for state laws against interracial marriage in the United States. To learn more visit https://lovingday.org/

Suggested Readings

“The Diversity Gap: Where Good Intentions Meet True Cultural Change" by Bethaney Wilkinson “Stop Overthinking: 23 Techniques to Relieve Stress, Stop Negative Spirals, Declutter Your Mind, and Focus on the Present" by Nick Trenton “Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee: An Indian History of the American West" by Dee Brown

Contribute to the 2023 2nd Quarter Newsletter

Here are some upcoming themes for our next newsletter. We welcome new contributors! If you have a topic to add, or would like to author an article, contact Kara Permisohn kpermisohn@minkoff.com or Rochelle Jackson rjackson@foulgerpratt.com. Feature Articles (Write 150-200 words) July – Americans with Disabilities Act August – Ganesh Chaturthi - Hindu Festival September – HeForShe the United Nations started to promote gender equality. Did You Know? (Write 50-60 words) July – Pioneer Day - Utah State Holiday August - Marlee Matlin's Birthday - first hearing impaired actress wins best actor/actress September – Autumnal Equinox

Newsletter Editor & Co-Editor: Kara Permisohn & Rochelle Jackson

DEI Committee Members Chair Sharón Turner Holly Alexander | Trevor Ankeny | Ashlyn Biassou | Dani Bressler | Dena Calo Carrie Ehart | April Chase | Sara Grimet | Rich Henneberry | Gina Navarro | Theresa Keysar | Elisabeth Kirk | Lisa Taylor | Beverly Willis | Rochelle Jackson Tikia Neblett | Kara Permisohn |Sherraine Rawlins |

The IREM Maryland Chapter 16 recognizes that there is strength in diversity and is committed to cultivating and promoting an ethical culture where differences are celebrated. We are committed to ensuring that members, industry partners, staff, and guests are valued, respected, and provided access to opportunities regardless of race, age, gender identities, sexual orientation, creed, national origin and/or (dis)abilities. Discrimination and inequality are not acceptable; therefore, we encourage all members to listen and learn as we take this journey together and provide ongoing support to disassemble systemic discrimination.

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