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The Bridge
PLDIC News
June 24, 2020

Moving Pittsburgh's Legal Community Forward, Together 
The Bridge - PLDIC News
To keep communication open and robust during this unprecedented period of challenge and uncertainty, the PLDIC is publishing “ The Bridge - PLDIC News ” every other week. If you missed any issues of The Bridge , catch up here . Know someone who may be interested in receiving The Bridge and other PLDIC communications? Direct them to our website and scroll to the bottom of the homepage to subscribe!
Robin DiAngelo to Speak to Government, Corporate, Educational and Non-Profit Sectors
All PLDIC Members Invited to Attend
Robin DiAngelo will be in Pittsburgh (virtually) on September 10 to talk about her No. 1 Amazon best selling book, White Fragility: Why It’s So Hard for White People to Talk About Race . Presented by Pittsburgh Arts & Lectures, DiAngelo will speak at 2 p.m. to the government, corporate, educational and non-profit sector. Grant Oliphant, Heinz Endowments President, will host. 

As a sponsor, the PLDIC will be able to provide a link to the program to any employee of our members. More details to follow.
Towards a Culture of Inclusion: Goal No. 3:
To train a cohort of Allies who can contribute to a culture of inclusion in their firms and law departments
Towards a Culture of Inclusion is a year-long series of programs with three concrete goals. We discussed the first in the May 27 issue and the second in the June 10 issue. The final goal is: to train a cohort of Diversity Allies, who will be certified by the Coalition, who will have the knowledge and skills to be able to contribute to maintaining a culture of inclusion in their firms and law departments.
What exactly is a Diversity Ally ?  
A Diversity Ally is any person who actively contributes to the ongoing creation and maintenance of a culture of inclusion through intentional, positive, and thoughtful efforts that benefit everyone, including those from different backgrounds, ethnicities, races, genders, sexual orientations, ages, and abilities. 
Who can be a Diversity Ally?  
Anyone can be an ally because all of us have the capacity to empathize with others, even those unlike us in one or many ways, and to take steps to make sure that our workplaces make everyone feel welcome, included, and able to thrive.
Why is Allyship important?  
To create an inclusive environment from a mix of heterogeneous individuals takes thought and thoughtfulness, a willingness to listen and learn from each other, and the building of meaningful relationships through understanding and trust. In other words, it requires Allies willing to do the work of creating a welcoming workplace where everyone can thrive.
How will Allies be certified?
Allies will be certified as the result of attending a certain number of programs throughout the year.  
Retention Committee Seeks Successful Inclusion Strategies
Watch your inboxes later this week for an email from Retention Committee Chair Keith Whitson and ED Susan Yohe asking you to share inclusion strategies you’ve found successful. One of the key goals of the Coalition is to share best practices and increase everyone’s D&I success. 
LGBTQ Proud - Pride Profiles
Erica Pietranton and Emily Wagner
Meet the Couple Who Lead the ACBA LGBT Rights Committee

Our next Pride profile features Erica Pietranton, Leech Tishman - Partner, Commercial Litigation; ACBA LGBT Rights Committee Chair-Elect; and Emily Wagner, McGuire Woods - Counsel, Complex Commercial Litigation; ACBA LGBT Rights Committee Chair.

Read more
pghlegaldiversity.org
Andrew Bell
Recent Pitt School of Law Graduate Optimistic as Young LGBT Lawyer Joining the Profession

A bonus Pride profile this week: University of Pittsburgh School of Law class of 2020 graduate Andrew Bell.

pghlegaldiversity.org
Our Members Speak Out
Please let us know if your law firm or law department has responded in some way to the killing of George Floyd and subsequent events and we will include it in a future issue of The Bridge .
Close Out Pride Month by Joining the PLDIC and the ACBA at a Pride Trivia Night
Pride Trivia Night ( hosted by the PLDIC and ACBA's LGBT Rights Committee )
Tuesday, June 30 | 5 p.m. EDT

Grab your favorite beverage, put on your best Pride swag, and join us for a trivia contest conducted entirely online to close out Pride Month on June 30 at 5 p.m. The event, sponsored by the Coalition and the ACBA’s LGBT Rights Committee, will not only offer significant bragging rights, but actual cash prizes!
We're on Instagram!
Are you on Instagram? Now, so is the PLDIC!

Coaltion Member PNC Commits Over $1 Billion to End Racism

PNC Financial Services Group Inc. announced a more than $1 billion commitment to help end systemic racism and support economic empowerment of African Americans and low- and moderate-income communities.

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