Shelly Harrell, Ph.D., states “A stereotype does not necessarily disappear from consciousness when it is successfully challenged.  However, it does lose its “power” to influence feelings, attitudes, and behaviors so automatically.” Through video, interactive exercises and storytelling, participants are challenged to examine how unspoken, often unconscious, stereotypes create barriers to genuine relationships and influence our attitudes, behaviors and beliefs about one another.  Participants will explore what they can do to effectively counteract stereotype threat using research based on Claude Steele’s work.

Will this Workshop be Recorded? No.

Intended Audience: This workshop is appropriate for library staff at any level or position.

About the Instructor: Ilsa Govan is co-founder of Cultures Connecting. Ilsa has more than 15 years of experience as a facilitator, consultant, writer and social justice activist. She has led conversations about racial equity at workshops and conferences across the country and helps coordinate the white caucus at the annual national White Privilege Conference. Prior to Cultures Connecting, Ilsa worked as an Equity and Race Specialist for Seattle Public Schools where she was tasked with addressing institutional racism in a large organization.  She earned her Bachelor's Degree in Special Education from Western Washington University and her Master's Degree in Bicultural Human Development from Pacific Oaks College Northwest. Ilsa is deeply invested in examining how her own identity influences her interactions with others, particularly through the lens of privilege and oppression. Ilsa is the co-author, with Caprice Hollins, of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: Strategies for Facilitating Conversations on Race.