Grace Where would I be in my journey if individuals in my life had not called me into accountability by patiently, gracefully redirecting me when my terminology or understanding of an issue was a bit, or a lot, off? We need to allow for some grace, for ourselves and for others, as we journey down the road of DEI as some unlearning and rebuilding will need to occur. Why Cultural Diversity Matters So why does this matter? In the context of organizations, a commitment to equity can change organizational DNA when it is operationalized in strategic planning, mission/vision/values, brand identity statements, policy development, and hiring practices. This can positively impact organizational success and improve employee, member, and funder satisfaction. A few of the personal benefits I have experienced in my journey are increased cultural knowledge, improved mindfulness of other perspectives, appreciation and respect for interpersonal differences, empathy for others’ lived experiences, and some amazing food experiences! The organizations I have worked and volunteered for have also benefited, as a diverse and inclusive workplace culture fosters innovation, prevents group think, results in improved operational policies, and lends richness to the decision experience.
I will leave you with this passage from Rev. Jacqui Lewis, an author and activist whose work I recently became acquainted with during the Food Solutions New England (FSNE) 21-Day Racial Equity Habit- Building Challenge, from her book Fierce Love: “In any relationship, fierce love causes us to cross boundaries and borders to discover one another, to support one another, to heal one another. When we do this, when we go crazy with affection, and offer wild kindness to our neighbor across the street or across the globe, we make a new kind of space between us. We make space for discovery and curiosity, for learning and growing. We make space for sharing stories and being changed by what we share. This is the space of the border, of mestizaje [mixed race], of both/and.... We can learn to see the world not only through our own stories, through our own eyes, but also through the stories and worldview of the so-called other... We simply must open our eyes, look across the room, the street, the division, the border—and reach out to that neighbor, offering our hand, our compassion, and our heart.”
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Jeremy provides member communications, grant deliverable and reporting assistance, oversight of USFA Committees and systems development to ensure efficiency of the organization. Prior to USFA, Jeremy served as the Director of Operations for Jeffco Public Schools in the Greater Denver Area, the Director of Nutrition in Greeley, Colorado, and the Assistant Director of Food & Nutrition Services with Colorado Springs School District 11. During his time in school nutrition, Jeremy and his team garnered national media attention and were recognized as the 2016 K-12 Innovators of the Year by Food Management Magazine for their efforts to prepare foods from fresh, local ingredients. Jeremy is a past president of both the Colorado Dietary Manager’s Association and the Colorado SNA, and has served in a number of association roles at the national level and as a governor-appointed member/chair of the Colorado Farm to School Taskforce. He holds an Associates of Applied Science in Food Management with Culinary Arts certification and a Masters and Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership from Colorado State University-Global Campus. Jeremy West, MS, SNS Director of Partnerships and Member Engagement, Urban School Food Alliance
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