The Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Council at JEVS Human Services launched a Book Club this year, open to all JEVS employees, to read and discuss books that enhance our awareness and understanding of diversity, equity and inclusion topics. The Book Club meets every 3-4 months to discuss pre-selected book readings. Book Club members are reimbursed for book purchases.

Joining the DEI Book Club is a great way to connect with fellow colleagues across all levels of the organization, from a variety of backgrounds and enjoy a great book! Book club discussions focus on key ideas or passages from the book that club members may have connected with and ideas that members may have found challenging. Discussions have become opportunities for safe engagement, exchange of varying perspectives and a conversation about how ideas might apply to our work and workplace here at JEVS.

According to Souleymane Fall, Director of Employment Services and DEI Book Club member, “The book club allows members of JEVS to express their views and thoughts and understanding of the reading. I have realized that the understanding of my team may at times be different; and that is in part because of their upbringing, their culture, religion, background and view of the world. The DEI Book Club creates a safe place where staff can talk about their understanding of cultural differences and the way we see things in general. This is a great opportunity for us to celebrate our diversity, equity and inclusion.”

So far, the JEVS DEI Book Club has read and discussed White Fragility by Robin DiAngelo, The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennet, and Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe. The Book Club’s next book is New York Times bestseller, So You Want to Talk About Race, by Ileoma Oluo. JEVS employees are invited to read the book over the summer and join the discussion on October 12. For additional information about getting involved, please send an email to [email protected] or [email protected].

> Learn more…contact [email protected] to join this meaningful and engaging activity.

Posted in DEI