2022: BERG Looks Ahead...and Tracks Progress!
HAPPY NEW YEAR
We hope everyone enjoyed the holidays and had an opportunity to spend quality time with loved ones.
Here is a preview of plans for 2022...
The Black Alliance Employee Resource Group (BERG) will begin actively tracking the Diversity related initiatives of UTMB, as well as feedback from the black and brown employees regarding those initiatives.
In order to have meaningful change, we must have meaningful engagement from the Leadership of UTMB as well as the Black and African American population within UTMB.
In order to accomplish this, BERG is developing a series of questionnaires for our members. We are also working with the Office of Diversity and Inclusion to identify and assess previous initiatives. We must have a variety of tools available, and a willingness
to use those tools, in order to effectively evaluate:
- What was done
- When was it done
- How effective was it
Throughout 2022, BERG will develop and deploy various tools and ask members to participate.
Committees are being reorganized, and volunteers to lead these committees will soon be selected. Announcements will be listed in the BERG Newsletter, the internal BERG website and the BERG Facebook page.
BERG is also planning to host a series of “Lunch and Learn” sessions throughout the year and will begin by hosting a virtual round-table discussion on Tuesday, February 22 at 12 pm.
We expect 2022 to be a very productive year with both fun and educational activities for our members.
Stay engaged with BERG by visiting our Facebook page and start (or join) a conversation.
BERG Black History Month Events
Your BERG has been busy. This year we are hosting several events in honor of Black History Month (BHM).
Throughout the month of February we are offering a variety of events to highlight the history of Black Americans and their undeniable contributions:
Black Movie Night:
Feb. 11: Movie Night - Hidden Figures
Feb. 22: Virtual Round Table: State of Healthcare for Black America
Feb. 25: Movie Night - Selma
Virtual Exhibit
Video: History of African Americans and UTMB
Brief history of the African American population in Galveston and UTMB’s involvement (1841-1973)
Live Exhibit
1954 All-Black LVN ClassHighlighting the all female class of 1954. Photo present in hallway between Jennie Sealy hospital & Waverly Smith Pavilion.
Weekly Relay Notes
Stay tuned-in to the Weekly Relays during BHM to hear highlights of notable events. The BERG will highlight and celebrate our struggles and victories as we continue to move forward towards equity.
Celebrate Your Black Sheroes & Heroes
In celebration of Black History Month, BERG has set up a new photo album on it’s Facebook page where members can post photos of individuals who have inspired them. Not all heroes and sheroes are famous...some are quiet supporters who provide sound
wisdom.
Take a moment to celebrate who inspired you with your fellow BERG members by visiting us at BERG FACEBOOK and post a picture and comment of someone who made an impact
during your journey. They can be a family member, a teacher, a coach, a mentor, a friend...anyone.
SPOTLIGHT: Leah Jacobs -Diversity and Inclusion
Diversity and Inclusion has recently become a very popular phrase. However, some have been committed to this cause prior to its newfound popularity. One such person is Ms. Leah Jacobs, UTMB’s Diversity and Inclusion Consultant, who has been
helping establish UTMB as a more inclusive healthcare institution for over a decade. Throughout her multifaceted career, Ms. Jacobs has demonstrated the ability to drive change, build community and inspire people to see their fullest potential.
Her work and service has garnered numerous honors including:
- ExxonMobil “Living Legends" honoree, profiled in "Ordinary People Doing Extraordinary Things"
- UTMB Dr. Martin Luther King Community Service Award
- "Woman on the Move"
We are thankful for her consistency, drive and leadership.
Additional Black History Month Events...And More!
The Galveston College David Glenn Hunt Memorial Library offers an online exhibit on Black History.
The Galveston History Center offers online information on “Black Galveston”
The Dickinson Historical Society offers an exhibit on Saturdays in February.
Celebrate with Black vendors at Avenida Houston.
VisitHoustonTexas.com offers a variety of Black History Month events to enjoy.
Here are 7 places to see African American Art in Houston.
Support Black Owned Business -Visit the Black Owned Business Exhibition on February
13, 2022.
The University of Houston Law Center is hosting “Societal Discrimination’s Impact” on February 16, 2022.
Texas Christian University is offering a lecture with Ilyasah Shabazz on February 17, 2022.
The Angleton Brazoria County Chamber of Commerce is hosting the 1st Annual Black History Program and Dinner on February 24, 2022.
Support Black artists...The Black Art Depot offers a variety of black art for purchase.
Enjoy Black History Month!