Diversity & Culture in the Black Community
Earlier this month I had the pleasure of interviewing Jason Warner, CEO, Author, Speaker, and Change Agent about Diversity & Culture in the Black Community. He resides in Atlanta, Georgia with his family and is originally from Miami, Florida. Mr. Warner is a graduate of Florida A & M University in Tallahassee, Florida, a Historically Black University, with a Bachelor’s of Science in Public Relations. He earned his MBA from the University of Phoenix.
Mr. Warner is the Chief Vision Officer and thought leader behind the Own the Vision Academy, an online learning marketplace where subject matter experts teach in their subject as well as the visionary behind the non-profit, Own The Vision Foundation, with a mission to build an economic infrastructure for Black America. Mr. Warner is a public relationships and marketing practitioner by trade who began his career in local government.
After his government tenure, Mr. Warner worked with top communications agencies in consulting and developing essential marketing/branding strategies for some of the world’s most prominent corporations, universities, professional athletes and nonprofit organizations. An advocate and purveyor of life learning, he has made a mark as guest lecturer at universities on marketing, public relations, crisis communications, brand management, entrepreneurship and leadership.
Mr. Warner often leads conversations on race, equity, economics, and community empowerment. He is the author of the forthcoming book, The Success Equation, the missing ingredient in business, community, life, and relationships. During the interview, he provided a unique perspective as a Black professional and father on the topic of culture. He discussed the significance of affirming cultural identities of Black children, success keys for Black children to navigate the public school system, graduate university, and/or vocational training. Mr. Warner spoke about the importance of fostering successful school environments when teaching Black children from a parent’s perspective. Additionally, we discuss how professionals can foster increased collaboration between sectors such as non-profit, business, and education to attain more culturally responsive and successful communities. You may listen to the interview here. I welcome your comments below.
All the best,
Tamara Anderson, M.S., Ed.S., CCC-SLP
Speech Language Pathologist
Education Specialist/Consultant
Diversity & Equity Advocate
Diversity & Culture in Education
I recently interviewed Cathy Carter, a fourth grade public school teacher in Atlanta, Georgia who is passionate about working with students of all ages and diverse backgrounds. She has previously taught second and third grade. Over the past 24 years in education, she has served as a mentor and supervising teacher for college students from the Atlanta University Center and Georgia State University. She has a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Early Childhood Education and a Master’s Degree in Education. She is a 2010 recipient of the Atlanta Families Award for Teaching Excellence and a member of the Winners’ Circle. Additionally, Ms. Carter has her K-5 Science Endorsement and serves as a Science Ambassador for Atlanta Public Schools. She has written curriculum for her district and recently presented at the Georgia Science Teachers Association Conference.
During this interview, we discuss her unique voice as an educator working in Atlanta on the topic of Culture with an emphasis on the importance of cultural understanding and appreciation. You will hear her tips on ways to affirm the identities of Black children while also demonstrating an appreciation of other cultures, effective culturally responsive teaching practices, success keys for Black children in education, and recommendations of resources that may be used by speech/language pathologists and teachers.
Here are recommended resources from Cathy Carter:
Children’s Books
1. Chicken Sundays by Patricia Polacco
2. Mr. Lincoln’s Way by Patricia Polacco
3. Black is a Rainbow Color by Angela Joy
4. Exceptional Men in Black History by Kwesi Johnson
5. Bold Women in Black History by Vashti Johnson
6. Seeing Tomorrow: Haiku by Richard Wright
Adult Literature and Sites
1. African American Identity; Racial Cultural Dimensions of the Black Experience by Jas M. Sullivan
2. Dr. Joy Dergury – https://www.joydegruy.com/
During the interview, I mention a great resource by author, educational coach, and former classroom English teacher, Zaretta Hammond. She is a consultant and leads professional development geared towards equity, literacy, and culturally responsive teaching.
You may watch the interview here to access all the details.
All the best,
Tamara Anderson, M.S., Ed.S., CCC-SLP
Speech Language Pathologist
Education Specialist/Consultant
Diversity & Equity Advocate
Diversity & Cultural Heritage
Diversity continues to be at the forefront of many organizations’ platform in the United States and throughout the globe. As a multicultural and multilingual speech/language pathologist, diversity is something that I have always valued and appreciated. Therefore, I am continuing my interview discussion series on topics related to Diversity, Inclusion, Culture, and Equity so that speech/language pathologists and educators can have access to meaningful information on this topic. It is important to acknowledge the varied and valid perspectives on these topics that influence our valuable work as therapists, educators, and leaders. Many professionals in these allied fields work with students, clients, and families from various backgrounds while some may live and work in communities where the people that they serve are of the same racial and ethnic backgrounds as them. It is important that those individuals especially continue on their journey of being more culturally responsive. The first step on that path is to be more culturally aware of various individuals, their communication styles, and individuals’ cultural heritage as some may require speech/language therapy, educational, or services in the allied health sector. It will also enhance your ability to interact effectively with colleagues.
I am purposefully highlighting unique voices on the topic of Culture. It is critical to emphasize the importance of cultural understanding and appreciation. Cultural heritage is the legacy of physical artifacts and intangible attributes of various individuals within society. It may include books, works of art, monuments, oral traditions, performing arts, or cultural festivals.
Cultural Heritage affirms people’s identity and it is important that it is preserved from one generation to the next regardless of where you live in the world. Within the diaspora, it is critical that the culture of individuals from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds are respected, appreciated, and integrated into the large society.
Today, I have an excellent feature to share with you. I interviewed Stefanie Thomas Gilbert-Roberts, the Director of Strategy and Projects at CUMEDIAE, a Brussels based non-profit consultancy specialized in project management and advice in the creative & media sector in Europe and beyond. She is also the Founder and Creative Editor of Cultural Voice eZine, a global magazine focused on Business and Culture founded in 2011, and Non- executive Director of Artistic Expressions Ltd. She has over 10 years project development/management experience across Europe and the Caribbean, with extensive knowledge in the cultural and creative industries sector. Stefanie has represented Jamaica, the Caribbean and the Americas in an official capacity at the highest levels internationally on behalf of Caribbean youth and entrepreneurs including on the Culture Advisory and Youth Committees of Jamaica’s National Commission for UNESCO. The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) is a specialized agency that promotes collaboration in education, the sciences, and culture.
During the interview, we discussed cultural heritage, ways that the arts and creative industries strengthen cultural values, beneficial tips for working with colleagues and clients from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds, the benefits of greater collaboration in the global society across sectors and so much more! You will certainly be enriched by listening to this dialogue! I welcome your relevant comments on this blog. Listen to the interview here. After listening to the interview, it will deepen your understanding of cultural diversity in the U.S. and the diaspora so that it can positively inform your professional work and broaden your personal experiences. It is imperative that we as a society connect across cultures.
All the best,
Tamara Anderson, M.S., Ed.S., CCC-SLP
Speech Language Pathologist
Education Specialist/Consultant
Diversity & Equity Advocate
Diversity and Emotional Intelligence with Bianca Langford, SLP & Author
In the increasingly diverse world, it is now important more than ever to acknowledge and appreciate this diversity. Did you know that there are over 195 countries around the globe? There are 54 countries in Africa, 48 in Asia, 44 in Europe, 33 in Latin America and the Caribbean, 14 in Oceania (e.g. Australia, New Zealand), and 2 in North America. There are numerous families that reside in the United States from various countries. The U.S. has the third largest population in the world after China and India.
In 2020, the projected U.S. Census data gathered from households throughout the nation indicated that more than 50% of the population represent various ethnic or “minority” groups. Diversity is relevant to the field of speech/language pathology and our daily lives. For speech/language pathologists, considerations related to cultural and linguistic diversity should play an integral role in our clinical practice as we provide comprehensive assessments and evidence based therapy services. It is imperative that the services we provide are equitable so that children can acquire functional communication, language, and literacy skills.
I believe that it is important for speech/language pathologists to hear various perspectives on the topic of Diversity and therefore I am featuring speech/language pathologists and allied professionals. My website will primarily highlight those who have practiced in the field for several years and have a passion for a particular area that is relevant to the meaningful work that we do as speech/language pathologists. I believe that diversity appreciation is significant and even more so it is critical that children, adolescents, and families have educational equity. This requires that they have access to the resources and opportunities they need regardless of their race, ethnicity, socio-economic status, religion, gender, sexual orientation, disability, etc. Each individual’s access to quality education directly relates to his or her future success and ability to build a meaningful life. We must recognize the disparities and inequities in the fields of education and speech/language pathology while working towards eradicating these differences. Additionally, we must work towards closing the achievement gap between children with special needs/BIPOC children and their peers.
I recently interviewed Bianca Langford, a nationally ASHA certified speech/language pathologist, with over 18 years of clinical experience with pediatric and adult populations. She attended the University of Montevallo for her undergraduate studies in speech language pathology and Nova Southeastern University for her Master’s degree in the field. She has provided speech services to clients in skilled nursing facilities, home health, school based, and early intervention settings. She has served as a rehabilitation manager and improved the communication abilities of hundreds of clients. Ms. Langford is the owner of Cahaba Therapy, LLC, a private speech/language therapy practice in Birmingham, Alabama. She specializes in cognitive-communication and language disorders across the life span.
Ms. Langford recognizes the importance of emotional intelligence, a significant skill that is needed for children and adolescents with special needs. It is also essential for adults with communication, language, and cognitive disorders. During the interview, we also discussed the importance of emotional intelligence for team building and effective interpersonal relationships in the workplace. Emotional intelligence involves self awareness, empathy, motivation, social skills, and self-regulation. As clinicians, we should ensure that we have effective communication and build meaningful connections. After all, emotional intelligence or EQ is essential to building successful lives.
You can listen to the interview here to learn more. Then, I welcome you to leave comments below to continue the dialogue on this important topic. Have a wonderful day.
Tamara Anderson, M.S., Ed.S., CCC-SLP
Speech Language Pathologist
Education Specialist/Consultant
Diversity & Equity Advocate
Diversity, Inclusion, & Cultural Responsiveness with Dennis Mathew, SLP & Author
I recently had the opportunity to speak with Dennis Mathew, speech language pathologist, children’s book author, and musician/song writer. We had a great conversation about diversity, inclusion, and culturally responsive practices in the field of speech/language pathology. We both recognize the importance of these topics and the practical application that is well needed in speech/language therapy. He currently resides in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma with his wife and daughter. He is a school based speech language pathologist in an elementary school setting. Dennis has worked previously in Boston, Massachusetts as a speech language pathologist. He believes that relationship building with the children and families are a success key to effective delivery of speech/language therapy services. It is very important to build rapport with them so that children can make progress on their speech/language goals. Dennis was motivated to write children’s books that appeal to young children that are navigating feeling included with their peers at school. He desires children to find their purpose and be true to their identities by reading and listening to his stories as well as his music.
Dennis Mathew published his first book, Bello the Cello, in December of 2018 and it is a Mom’s Choice Award recipient. This book is ideal for preschool aged children who are starting a new school or students in Kindergarten-2nd grade. In this story, Bello meets his classmates for the first time. The teacher, Ms. Melody instructs them to say their names and sing their songs as a “get to know you” activity. As the story unfolds, we get to meet the whimsical classmates or musical instruments such as Timmy the Tambourine, Finnegan the Flute, Guillermo the Guitar, Sierra the Saxophone, and Deeya the Drum. Bello is unsure what he should sing and how he will sound in front of his classmates. Luckily with encouragement from his classmates, he discovers the magic of his own song. Over the past two years this book has been presented to over 60,000 students and has motivated them to be confident in themselves. He enjoys playing his guitar and singing during his author visits. His music album for children, The Let’s Roar experience, was released in August of 2020. Dennis Mathew’s books and music are geared to the current issues that students and teachers face in the classroom especially with a focus on social-emotional development.
Here’s the recent interview to learn more. Click here. Make sure that you also visit his websites http://BooksbyDennis.com and http://booksbydennis.bandcamp.com to preview his amazing artistry through stories and music. I know that you will enjoy his talented and inspiring work. Have a wonderful week.
All the best,
Tamara Anderson, M.S., Ed.S., CCC-SLP
Speech Language Pathologist
Education Specialist/Consultant
Diversity & Equity Advocate
Culturally Responsive Speech & Language Therapy
Most pediatric speech/language therapists have their own style of providing services and it may vary based on if they work with children individually in a private practice clinic, via individual or group teletherapy, school based therapy session, outpatient rehabilitation clinic, or even early intervention therapy. The approach to providing speech/language therapy also varies depending on the type of communication disorder and the age of the child or adolescent. Additionally, SLPs may adjust their therapy techniques based on if a child has co-occurring learning disability, intellectual disability, or autism. Children and adolescents are diverse learners and SLPs must therefore differentiate instruction to maximize the success of their clients. We all are committed to providing evidence based services to improve the functional skills of our clients and to assist them in attaining successful lives.
An important consideration that all pediatric speech language pathologists need to make is how they actually provide culturally responsive speech/language therapy. This is a part of our obligation as nationally certified ASHA (American Speech Language Hearing Association) SLPs. Some SLPs may not be ASHA certified, but they are licensed in their state to provide speech/language therapy services. I also implore these therapists to implement services that reflect authentic multicultural considerations.
ASHA advocates for the need for cultural competence for it’s members/certified SLPs and audiologists. In fact, it is a part of the ASHA Code of Ethics, the Council for Academic Accreditation standards that is required to obtain the Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC), and the overall scope of practice for speech/language pathologists and audiologists. It is also a mission of ASHA’s Multicultural Issues Board and the Special Interest Division 14 (Communication Disorders and Sciences in Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Population).
The majority of speech/language pathologists desire practical tips with understanding how to provide culturally responsive speech/language therapy. This is a significant part of rendering effective services and I will be presenting a one hour ASHA CEU course on this topic on Wednesday 12/2/2020. Click here to register for the LIVE course. I am collaborating with speech/language pathologist and Board Certified Behavior Analyst, Rose Griffin from ABA Speech on this important topic.
ASHA states that “Cultural and linguistic competence is as important to the successful provision of services as are scientific, technical, and clinical knowledge, and skills.” Services rendered should be respectful and responsive to the needs of diverse clients.
In this course speech/language pathologists will increase their knowledge about culturally responsive therapy. Participants will learn about culture, cultural competence, cultural humility, & professional competence. You will learn about relevant research from the perspective of speech/language pathologists and relevant strategies to apply in a practical and meaningful way in your clinical practice in a variety of settings.
The idea of Cultural Responsive practices are also critical to effective teaching in both public and private schools. Gloria Ladson-Billings, renowned scholar and former Distinguished Professor of Urban Education at the University of Wisconsin-Madison developed the term culturally relevant education based on her scholarly work with educators of African American students. Culturally relevant education not only addresses the need for higher student achievement, but also helps students to accept and affirm their cultural identity while developing critical perspective that challenges various inequities.
Dr. Gholnecsar “Gholdy” Muhammad, an associate professor at Georgia State University and Director of the Urban Literacy Collaborative and Clinic has researched extensively in the area of literacy, language, and culture. She states that “literacy was viewed as the means of building reading and writing skills and knowledge, as well as a means to shape their (African American) identities and critical understanding of themselves, of communities, and of the world.”
I will SEE you on the LIVE course on 12/2nd so that you can learn more information to enhance your professional competence as a speech/language pathologist so that you can deliver services to build the communication, language, literacy, and life skills of children and adolescents. REGISTER FOR THE COURSE HERE!
If you are not available to attend the LIVE course, you have the opportunity to register for the SELF STUDY. This means that you can take the course anytime during DECEMBER on your own schedule. You must complete the course by 12/31/20 to receive a certificate of completion. REGISTER FOR THE SELF-STUDY HERE! Don’t hesitate to email me with any questions.
Tamara Anderson, M.S., Ed.S., CCC-SLP
Speech Language Pathologist
Education Specialist/Consultant
Diversity & Equity Advocate
Diversity, Inclusion, & Equity
Spring and summer of 2020 will definitely be remembered for decades to come. Pandemic. Protests. Politics. Repeat. Coronavirus. Quarantine. Police Brutality. Activism. Racism. Social Justice. Advocacy. Diversity, Inclusion, & Equity have become talking points among many. These areas have always been significant, but are now more at the forefront of discussions and action plans in most organizations. I love the quote by Maya Angelou, it reminds us all that “diversity makes for a rich tapestry and we must understand that all the threads of the tapestry are equal in value no matter what their color.” Diversity is about embracing differences and recognizing the amazing things that are possible when it’s woven into an organization’s culture. At the same time, it is extremely important to recognize that individual racism and systemic racism are deeply rooted into the fabric of American Society. There are many factors that have contributed to the injustices and inequities experienced by Black, Indigenous, and People of Color in the United States. White Americans can make a deliberate effort to reflect on their own cultural and racial biases and how those biases impact their perceptions and interactions with Black, Indigenous, and People of Color. This is something that will be an ongoing journey and time of personal reflection. The time is now to be intentional about learning about effective anti-racism, anti-bias, and equity work daily. Here are some helpful resources. In the fields of speech-language pathology and education, we can continue to promote diversity, inclusion, as well as equity for children, adolescents, families, clients, and colleagues. We can take actionable steps. We must have a more just United States of America.
In the fields of education and allied health, many pediatric speech-language pathologists and educators work with children and adolescents from a wide variety of diverse backgrounds and learning styles. Building Successful Lives Speech & Language Services LLC values diversity and inclusion. Children with special needs are diverse learners that require skilled, strategic, and evidence based practice. We are committed to providing excellent evaluation, therapy, and consultative services for children and adolescents from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. We provide speech language pathologists and educators with progress monitoring tools, therapeutic activities, and intervention materials to effectively serve their clients and help them master their goals. We are available to provide consultative services and workshops for speech-language pathologists, educators, school districts, and organizations committed to improving the communication, language, and literacy skills of children and adolescents. They will be equipped with strategic guidance and practical steps to promote learning gains and subsequent life success in youth.
In the fields of speech-language pathology & education, representation absolutely maters. Children and adolescents learn best when they feel valued and have opportunities to engage in culturally relevant and responsive activities, with materials, and literature/text. There is a potential for increased academic achievement when there is a child centered approach that acknowledges a child’s culture and the strengths that it brings to the learning process. There are numerous cultures represented in the U.S. that should be celebrated and embedded into speech/language therapy and curriculum content. Children and adolescents can increase their cultural awareness and appreciation of people from cultures different from their own as well as their own culture. It is important to provide children and adolescents with educational experiences that reflect diverse perspectives even if they live in a homogenous area because it will expand their viewpoints and improve their ability to interact with individuals from various backgrounds. It is critical that young people and adults improve their ability to live and work effectively in an increasingly diverse society. In weekly practice, speech-language pathologists and educators can effectively and purposefully use varying forms of culture such as art, text (poetry/books), and music into speech/language therapy sessions and classroom instruction. Here are some recommendations of books to diversify your children’s literature collection when providing speech/language therapy or classroom instruction. These books are also good to add to your home library for family literacy time with your own children. Here is more information about culturally responsive practices in education.
Did you know that the Atlanta metropolitan area is one of the fastest growing regions in the United States? Metro Atlanta comprises the city and surrounding suburban areas. Like many places in the U.S., it has become more culturally, linguistically, and racial/ethnically diverse. Therefore, it is crucial that organizations, school districts, and small businesses provide services that understand and support the needs of the community. In Metro Atlanta, the population breakdown is:
Total Population- 6,020,364
White- 52.8 %
Black/African American- 34.3 %
Hispanic/Latino- 10.9 %
Asian- 6.1 %
Foreign Born- 13.8 %
Source: U.S. Census Bureau 2019 Population Estimates, 2018 American Community Survey, Metro Atlanta Chamber
Did you know that residents in Gwinnett County in Metro Atlanta represent 180 countries? Twenty five percent of the current population was born in a different country. There are over 100 language and dialects spoken by residents in this area. Many other Metro Atlanta counties and areas of the U.S. have a growing diverse population. Most large urban school districts have very diverse student populations. Therefore, there must be educational equity so that each child and adolescent receives what he or she needs to learn, grow, and build a successful life. They must have access to evidence based practice, educational support, and tools to make progress in speech/language therapy and the classroom. Children and adolescents will have to work towards mastering objectives and curriculum content.
Additionally, it will take a community of speech language pathologists, educators, allied health professionals, and parents providing valuable time and commitment to contribute to students’ communication, academic, social-emotional, and life success. It’s important for speech-language pathologists and educators to continually deepen their understanding of best practices in their respective fields. They must practice cultural humility and sensitivity by respecting differences and interact successfully with individuals from diverse backgrounds. Tamara Russell, an educator in Florida, provides great information on her blog and a list of books for educators to think critically about identify, culturally responsive teaching, socio-emotional learning, internalized bias, systemic inequity, and the historical resilience of Black, Indigenous, People of Color. You can read more about that here. 
