Social Equity Scholarship Fund
The Social Equity Investment Project luncheon to benefit the Vermont Leadership Institute's Social Equity Scholarship Fund was held June 23, 2009.
Cultural Competence and Effective Leadership
Featured speaker: Daniello Balón, Ph.D.,
Director of Diversity & Equity, Burlington School District
Congratulations and many thanks to Wanda Hines and the Social Equity Investment Project, a program of the Burlington Legacy Project, for hosting another great SEIP / VLI SESF event. As she did last year, Wanda brought together over 50 community leaders from diverse backgrounds to engage in the important on-going conversation about cultural competence and effective leadership in Vermont. After a warm introduction from Hal Colston, Dr. Dan Balon, Director of Diversity and Equity for the Burlington School District, gave a thought-provoking presentation in which he shared some keys to culturally competent leadership: self-awareness, respect and sensitivity towards others, open dialogue to build community, defining principles of fairness and equity. Through his sharing of personal stories, discussion of types of power, and the subtleties of cultural incompetence, Dan sparked lively small group discussions. Wanda closed the event by reminding us all that diversity coupled with cultural competence is our strength when we work together for a common goal - - our valued and preferred future.
-Joy Facos, VLI '04
In order to create a successful cohort of associates, VLI encourages applicants from a variety of perspectives and welcomes ethnic, cultural and ideological diversity.The Social Equity Scholarship Fund serves those constituencies that have traditionally been excluded, underserved, or marginalized.
Read Everyday Democracy's blog post about the SESF, and scroll down for photos from the November 2008 SESF event.
