Combatting Cultural Appropriation in Nonprofits

AUDIENCE: Executive Directors, Board Members, and Staff

GOAL(S) OF TRAINING:

• How to be an ally of diverse cultures without over-stepping cultural boundaries;
• How to be consistent in cultural programming instead of doing one-time events which becomes patronizing and appropriating;
• Understand issues of white privilege, microaggressions, bias, etc. and how they appear in nonprofit settings;
• Discuss how one can be an ally in our rapidly diverse world;
• Recognize the power of culture as it is beyond race/ethnicity while acknowledging the power of intersectionality.

Dr. Johanna B. Maes is a professor of Multicultural Leadership at the University of Colorado Boulder and also an independent education consultant. She has over 20 years of experience working with diverse audiences (school groups, nonprofit organizations, government entities, etc.) where she teaches about inclusion, diversity, and multiculturalism in a rapidly changing society. As a cultural competency trainer and professor, Dr. Maes prides herself in including her audience as active participants within her pedagogy where she values their personal narratives and experiences and how they contribute to creating a cultural competent world.

Ed Garton earned their master's degree in Higher Education and Student Affairs in 2003 from the University of Vermont.  Their thesis focused on education and the development of Transgender identity.  They came back to Colorado to work at Colorado AIDS Project as a Prevention Programs Coordinator.  Ed spent their time focusing on prevention work with men who have sex with men, HIV testing, and outreach.  Ed then went on to work at the Auraria Campus as the Director of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender (GLBT) Student Services.  They developed new and exciting training and supported students in their exploration of identity and wisdom.  Ed then moved on to the Office of Student Life where they worked with students on leadership, personal development, and academic rigor. Currently Ed is working on their second master's degree in social work and writing on gender identity, sexual orientation, leadership, and power.