Join us for a stimulating and hard discussion, led by our esteemed presenters, as we continue to delve into the challenges and successes of hiring for diversity, inclusion, retention and growth as a result of learned behavior created from preconceived perceptions on race in America.
Presenters:
Robert Pellegrino
Bob Pellegrino received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Bowdoin College and his Juris Doctor from the University of Maine School of Law. He has been practicing law in Connecticut since 1982 and is a member of the Connecticut and New Haven County Bar Associations. Attorney Pellegrino has been involved in the field of race relations for over 30 years. In the early 1990s, he founded an antiracist group called SOAR- Speak Out Against Racism- in an effort to combat the racism found in the white community. He also co- hosted a local cable television show “Black & White: In Focus” which dealt with the issues of race and race relations.
He has lectured and written extensively on the topic of racism and race relations. In 2015, he published the book, I See Color -Identifying, Understanding and Reducing Our Hidden Racism: A White Perspective. The book provides a “blueprint” for whites to follow in their quest to help lessen their racism and racism within the white community in general. Mr. Pellegrino is interracially married and lives with his wife and daughter in New Haven, Connecticut.
Michael Jefferson
Michael A. Jefferson is a graduate of Southern Connecticut State University. He received his Masters degree in Child Welfare from Saint Joseph College and his Juris Doctor from the University of Connecticut School of Law. He is a member of the Connecticut and Federal bars. Attorney Jefferson is a long time community activist and a former radio talk show host. He is credited with establishing New Haven’s first ever community based All Civilian Review Board as a means of combating police misconduct. He is the former chairperson of the State of Connecticut’s African American Affairs Commission (AAAC). He is also the founder of the Kiyama Movement dedicated to promoting self-improvement among African American males of all ages. In 2019, Attorney Jefferson was elected by senate members as Clerk of the Connecticut State Senate. He is the author of Deo-Vindice: The Resurrection. He is a life member of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. For his work in the community Mr. Jefferson has received numerous awards. Attorney Jefferson lives with his wife of thirty one years - Pamela Augustine. The couple has two adult sons Michael II and Malcolm-Fidel.
Program Description:
Relying on extensive knowledge obtained from reading scores of books, articles, essays, etc. and gaining additional understanding via personal and professional experiences, the speakers unflinchingly delve into the highly controversial subject matter of race by examining and challenging the racial socialization process of blacks and whites in American society. With surgical precision they provide their audience with a thorough analysis of the problem and offer sound solutions for addressing what they call America's ancient sin. Tarzan and other movies of that era served as the foundation for the socialization of blacks and whites through the powerful medium of film. Casting whites as the bravest, smartest, prettiest, sexiest, strongest, etc., helped to perpetuate the false sense of superiority that has long enveloped the white psyche. Conversely, casting blacks as ignorant, lazy, unattractive, unintelligent, weak, buffoons, etc. served to perpetuate the false sense of inferiority that has long enveloped the black psyche.
Pellegrino and Jefferson believe Tarzan and other movies of that era served as the foundation for the socialization of blacks and whites through this medium.
With this discussion in mind, the presentation will engage the audience in a conversation about how preconceived perceptions of each other hinder our ability to know each other, work with each other, build relationships with each other, etc. The audience will learn how some of our preconceived perceptions are rooted from our surroundings, like the media or life experiences. As a result, what we perceive can hinder diversity and inclusion goals for hiring, retaining and advancing diverse talent. Also, as always been our goal in our conversations, when we discuss diversity, it is not just race or skin color, but also gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, and disability.