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.
|
|
Nurturing Her Neurodiverse Son Sparked Passion and Founding of Neurodiversity Works: Meet Nicole Corder
"In a world that too often views people through a lens of deficit or disability, choose to view people through a lens of ability. This way, there are opportunities for everyone."
This comment from Nicole Corder, who inspired us at GlobalMindED this past June, emcompasses the way in which she navigates through the world. We are honored to share her story with you during National Disability Employment Awareness Month and invite you to join us in celebrating the ways in which people are differently abled with this compassionate mother and thoughtful leader.
What key moments in your life led you to where you are?
After giving birth to my son, Blake in 2011, life changed. He is the most incredible, funny, smart, determined, caring, and kind-hearted person I have ever known. However, being his mother has opened pandora's box about a world where discrimination against disability is fierce.
Blake has autism, a neurological condition that affects the way he thinks, processes information, and behaves. He also has co-occurring additional medical conditions that make him quite complex. Beginning soon after his birth, I met with medical professionals regarding his conditions, which became overwhelming. It wasn't so much the new medical jargon I was learning for the first time, the different specialties we were now integrated into, or the countless appointments and logistics of having a special needs child. No, it was the overarching negative narrative I was repeatedly told by medical "professionals" about my son’s disabilities and everything that he lacked. There was little concentration about his strengths.
I went back to college and attained a degree in Speech Language Hearing Sciences. It was my journey to dive deep into the world of disabilities and educate myself, both for my understanding and to be more knowledgeable to care for and support my son. Blake now talks, walks, learns, loves, and wants to be included in activities just like any other 11-year-old child would. I praise the community of like-minded special-need families that rally together, hold each other up, and believe in what our children can do, rather than what they can't. We give energy and attention to nurturing the strengths of our children. We do not see our children as disabled (without ability) but rather as differently abled with their special gifts.
Where does your passion to serve and support the neurodiverse community come from?
My passion to serve and support the neurodiverse community first came from my personal family connection to neurodiversity. I realized that this population is exceptionally talented, dedicated, and passionate. Some neurodiverse conditions include autism, ADHD, dyslexia, dyspraxia, and mood conditions. You might be neurodiverse yourself or know someone with one or more of those conditions.
Nearly 20% (1 in 5) of the population is neurodiverse. Yet there is an 85% under/unemployment rate in the neurodiverse workforce. When my life partner, Jason San Souci and I learned of this, we were shocked and decided to act. We founded Neurodiversity Works, a nonprofit that pairs my passion for the disability community and nonprofit work with his career expertise in UAS (unmanned aerial systems) and geospatial technologies. We prepare neurodiverse students for careers in the drone industry (pilots, analysts, management, etc). We develop targeted technical training programs, foster relationships between students and industry mentors, and work with employers to advocate for neurodiversity hiring programs.
Coming June 2023, we are launching Neurodiversity Drone Day Camp which is a collaborative three-day camp for neurodiverse students that covers everything you need to know to use drones for mapping and data collection. We are looking for sponsors, instructors, collaborators, and volunteers - and, of course, STUDENTS.
As we celebrate National Disability Employment Awareness Month, how can communities join and better support neurodiverse talent in the workplace with celebration and respect?
People should be able to bring their best selves to work and feel supported and encouraged. Making accommodations or universal supports available to everyone means no one needs to be singled out to ask for additional support. Neurodiversity must be considered in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) development, as only 1 in 10 organizations say they consider neurodiversity in their people management practices. This means employers are missing out on recruiting and retaining neurodiverse team members who think different, benefiting in creativity, innovation, and productivity.
|
|
Join us for an all-star line-up of talent at the GlobalMindED/Georgia Tech Office of Minority Education (OMED) Resolve to Solve Series November 4th in Atlanta with leaders from business, higher education and media November 4th!
You can attend live or livestream this event anywhere in the country through our partner, WABE, PBS affiliate in Atlanta. The rap sensation, Killer Mike will end the program followed by a networking career reception with companies for students to explore careers, bring their resumes and prospect for internships.
Attendees include students, educators, business leaders, policy makers, and foundations/funders.
-
Speakers include college presidents Dr. Glenda Glover (Tennessee State), Dr. David Thomas (Morehouse), Dr. Brian Blake (GA State), business and tech leaders, and global hip-hop sensation, Michael Render (aka Killer Mike), who will share his personal vision of Love & Respect, which is also the title of his new PBS talk show.
- Breakfast, lunch, and reception are included in the $295 registration fee. Students attend for $195.
Sign up here or through the QR code below. Complete program below
|
|
Student Delegates Attending with Faculty Will Go to Industry Marketplace Reception after Killer Mike's Closing Session!
Student delegates representing their colleges are invited to an Industry Reception with college faculty. Register in advance to attend this exceptional experience at the end of the day November 4.
|
|
Watch "No More Gates or Gatekeepers: STEM is for Everyone" |
|
Dr. Susan Swayze, Founder & CEO, Diversity Think Tank with:
-
Dr. Arik King Founder, Future Kings
-
Dr. Echell Eady Vice President of Instruction and Accreditation, Tennessee College of Applied Technology, Murfreesboro
-
Jacqueline Smalls Vice President, Social Impact Coalitions, Discovery Education
-
Zion McNeely Electrical Engineering student, Norfolk State University
|
|
|
Don't Miss "Higher Education of Tomorrow: Created by our Choices and Actions Today" |
|
Dr. Ryan Ross Associate Vice Chancellor Student Affairs, Equity & Inclusion CO Community College System with:
-
Dr. Kristen Raney Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, Eastern Iowa Community Colleges
-
Dr. Shawnda Navarro Floyd Provost, Dallas College
-
Dr. Helen Castellanos Brewer Vice President for Student Services, College of the Mainland
-
Edgar Soto Vice President, Pima Community College, Desert Vista Campus
|
|
|
SAVE the DATE 2023: June 7 Inclusive Leader Awards Dinner
First Gen Leadership Program
June 8, 9 GlobalMindED Conference
2023 Denver, Colorado
CALL FOR PROPOSALS IS OPEN
|
|
June 2022 Conference Summary in Photos and Videos
We had an inspiring conference in June after two years of virtual gatherings due to COVID. If you missed that, you can still be a part of the experience through the photos from the 2022 GlobalMindED conference, as well as seeing the complete program for connections and inspiration.
Video remarks:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
