MAHRA Event: The American Dream Experience

"The American Dream Experience" 

The American Dream Experience is not an ordinary training, but rather an interactive empathy-building exercise.  Designed to foster awareness and connection, participants get the opportunity to "walk in someone else's shoes" and explore how everyday interactions and long-term opportunities impact people differently and their journey to their American Dream. 

3 Learning Objectives:

• Raise awareness about how people experience life differently based on society's perception of their identities. 
• Identify areas and actions that you may not be aware of that could be contributing to an environment that isn't inclusive to others. 
• Empower Human Resources leaders with the tools to effectively foster an inclusive environment through their impact on policies, hiring, and overall organizational culture. 

3 Takeaways:

• Better understanding of the systems and policies influencing inequity. 
• Start the process of interrupting patterns of bias and stereotypes. 
• Create empathy for how it feels to be marginalized. 

11:30 Lunch & Networking

11:40 Business Meeting/Announcements

11:50 Program

Presenters: Shalynne Jackson and Jackie Howell

Shalynne Jackson serves as the City of Oklahoma City's (OKC) first Chief Inclusion and Diversity Officer.  Prior to joining the City of OKC, Shalynne supported strategic I&D initiatives for multiple Fortune 500 companies.  She has served as TAHRA's VP of Diversity and is currently the Diversity Chair for the Oklahoma Human Resources State Council (OKHR).  In addition, Shalynne serves on Schnake Turnbo Franks I&D Advisory Committee and on the board of ReMerge -- a comprehensive diversion program.  A graduate of The University of Oklahoma, Shalynne holds a Master of Human Relations degree.  Lastly, she is a qualified administrator for the Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI), a cross-cultural assessment of intercultural competence. 

Jackie Howell is the Inclusion Specialist for the City of Oklahoma City's Office of Inclusion and Diversity.  In this role, Jackie project manages Inclusion and Diversity programs for the improved experience of employees of the City.  Jackie began as an Inclusion and Diversity practitioner with the University of Oklahoma Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion where she developed and supported University belonging programs and initiatives.  Jackie also got a Master of Human Relations and several graduate certificates from the University of Oklahoma during a time with the office.