Leadership In the New Century

CAMP CROSSTOWN

2009-07-08T13:38:00.002-04:00

Photos from the 2009 Camp Crosstown Leadership Retreat, held in June at Colombiere Conference Center.

2009-04-30T12:07:00.001-04:00

Cyber Bullying PSA

2009-04-22T05:21:00.001-04:00

ALL IN! Wednesday and Thursday

2009-01-22T09:17:00.009-05:00

ALL IN: Days 3 & 4: Leadership and Sacrifice

Alice Paul was one of many women who fought for the right to vote. When president Wilson did not back the cause of women's suffrage, she organized a protest outside the white house. This lead to her arrest for "obstructing traffic". To protest this unwarrented arrest, she went on a hunger strike in jail. Officials responded to her hungry strike by moving her into the psychiatric ward, restraining her and force feeding her raw eggs through a plastic tube.

Harvey Milk, a community leaders and activist, became the first openly gay man elected to public office when he was elected to the board of supervisors in San Francisco in 1977. Knowing the risks of this public personna, and having received multiple death threats, Milk said "If a bullet should enter my brain, let that bullet destroy every closet door." Milk was assassinated by Dan White in 1978.

Being a leader in creating more inclusive communities is not easy. Our country's history is filled with stories like those of Alice Paul and Harvey Milk - stories of individuals who stood against oppression, only to face dire consequences. But that does not mean that they stood in vain. Alice Paul's ordeal inspired a much larger number of women to join in the fight for the right to vote (which finally came to pass in 1920), and outrage over Harvey Milk's assassination helped to jumpstart the movement for LGBT rights and inspired other members fo the community to become more involved in the political process.

Sometimes being an ally and standing up for others means facing embarrassment or harrassment ourselves. Sometimes it means being willing to cause tension among those who are closest to us, or being willing to speak against people who are in authority. Being a leader for diversity and inclusion means realizing that whether we are talking about the fight for equality for people with disabilities, or the fight for respect for people of different faiths - that we ALL have a stake in the struggle for inclusion.

Reflection Questions:

What consequences might people face for standing up for others in your school or community?

Have you ever stood up for a cause that you believe in, even though you knew that you were risking some negative consequences?

Activity:

Think about all of the people that you feel close to. How many of the people in your life are a different race than you? A different religion? A different sexual orientation? Identify the culture, group or demographic that you know the least about - and learn more about that group. What is their history? What challenges face their community? What opportunities are there for someone like yourself to become an ally for their cause?

ALL IN! Tuesday

2009-01-20T09:32:00.002-05:00

DAY 2: CHANGE

Today millions of people will watch the inauguration of President Barack Obama. Obama's election was a milestone for America, not only because he is the first African American president, but also because of the sense of community and hope that his campaign inspired. Young people turned out to vote in the recent election in record numbers, and a significant portion of Obama's campaign budget was raised in the form of small, individual donations. The campaign also engaged younger people through social networking websites, youtube, and other online venues with a level of success not seen by any previous campaign. President Obama's election and now inauguration is engaging a whole new generation of Americans in the political process.

Activity:

President Obama ran on a platform of Hope and Change, promising to unite the country to make a number of changes for the better. What changes would you like to see happen first? Write a letter to the new president, briefly outlining the changes that you would like to see in the US and why. Share your letter with us, and we will post it here on the blog.

Now, think locally. What changes would you like to see in your local community? In your school? What is your individual role in starting to bring about those changes?

ALL IN! MONDAY

2009-01-19T07:56:00.003-05:00

ALL IN officially begins today. Over the next several days, student groups across metro Detroit will be surveying their peers to find out who feels "in" and who doesn't at their school, hosting dialogue sessions with other students and reporting what they find to school administration. To kick-off these activities, each day this week our blog will feature a new topic for discussion, reflection and action. Whether or not you are part of an ALL IN! student group, we encourage you to visit this blog each day for ways that you can make a difference on your own or with others!

DAY 1: REFLECTION
Before we can move forward to build more inclusive schools and communities, we first need to look back and find inspiration from the leaders who came before us, and the barriers that they fought to overcome. Today America celebrates the life and legacy of civil rights icon Martin Luther King, Jr. King focused the nation's eyes on civil rights by working tirelessly to end oppression through nonviolent means, becoming the youngest person to receive the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964.

Reflection Questions:
1. In his most famous speech, King described his dream for America. What is your dream for your community? What needs to happen to make your school, neighborhood and city closer to that dream?

Individual Activity:
Martin Luther King may be the best known figure of the American Civil Rights movement, but he understood the importance of community, and he did not do his work alone. King made important community connections. He worked with the American Friends Service Committee to travel to India and study Ghandi's principles of nonviolent resistance. He was counseled by civil rights leaders like Bayard Rustin, an activist who fought for racial equality as well as lgbt equality. He lead the Montgomery Bus Boycott after Claudette Colvin and later (more famously) Rosa Parks refused to give up seats to white bus passengers.

Investigate the contributions made by one of the people or groups that worked with or inspired Martin Luther King. Some links to get you started:
http://rustin.org/
http://www.rosa-parks-biography.com/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coretta_Scott_King

Who inspires you? What connections do you need to make in order to carry on Martin Luther King's legacy in your community?

For more information on participating in ALL IN! in your school, visit www.miroundtable.org

ALL IN! School Profile - Groves High School

2009-01-16T03:17:00.007-05:00

Advisor : Shelia Brice

Mission Statement : To Celebrate diversity, tear down barriers, and rise by lifting others.

Points of Pride :

Wylie E. Groves High School, home of the Falcons, takes great pride in our high expectations for achievement, our diversity, our acceptantance of differering perspectives and our students ability to expand their point of view. Visit “our house” at www.grovestoday for more information.
Fred Procter , Principal

Annual Multicutural Retreat brings 15 teens and 10 staff together to spend a weekend together off campus getting to know one another.
The Multicultural Retreat is a highlight of our activity calendar each year. It is a great achievement of past and current faculty and students that has a 17 year tradition that continues to promote awareness and communication skills.   -Paul Van Ermen

Experiential Learning Center   Our annual Dr. Martin Luther King Assembly is a decades tradition that features a video “the Faces of Groves” and options for Community Service projects. This year Mosaic Youth Theater’s “Speak for Yourself” will perform at our assemblies. One of our seniors, Alicia Thomas, is in the cast. There will be a “Talk Back” section so students can ask questions of the cast. -Sheila Brice,Community Service Organizer  

French, Japanese and Spanish Clubs encourage global competency through competition and trips

.  Amnesty International promotes awareness and action for causes like AIDS empidemic in Africa.

Our GSA created a Chain of Remembrance that hangs in the Commons with staff and student signatures to show that bullying and harassment will not be tolerated .

  
Last year our Diversity Committee conducted a letter writing campaign on behalf of the Jena Six.

Health classes hear annually from MINDS, Mental Illness Needs Discussion Sessions.

ALL IN! School Profile - Howell High School

2009-01-15T11:55:00.012-05:00

Howell High School Diversity Club

Advisors: Suzanne Hosner and Mary Jane Shafto

Vision Statement: Working together to create an environment where our diversity is valued and our differences respected.

ALL IN! Week Plans:
- Set up a Diversity Showcase
- Daily announcements -- quotations or messages of acceptance
- MRDI Survey in English Classes
- Afterschool movie with group discussion
- Handing out "You're IN" messages with a small piece of candy at lunchtime
- "Mix It Up" Days at both campuses in the weeks following ALL IN!

Other activities:
- Fundraising to bring in assembly speaker on diversity
- Encouraging membership at Annual School Club Fair
- Attended Michigan Roundtable Youth Summit
- Post Card campaign: LGBTQ Postcard project to remind President elect Obama of the concerns about marriage equality.

ALL IN! Tip #1 - Create a Buzz

2008-12-16T13:04:00.011-05:00

So you have registered your school and downloaded your ALL IN! Student Guide and are gearing up for your schools ALL IN! week. Now what?

It's time to get people excited! Start creating some buzz for your event. Here is one way that I have found to work really well.

Tip: Create buzz through advertising with a lack of details.

Have folks asking questions- wanting MORE! Create flyers that are simple, eye catching, and vague. Put them EVERYWHERE!
-Stick them to Lockers
-Post them on walls
-Have an "ambush" style hand out at lunch. Give a group of people a stack of flyers and just bombard all the tables!
-Have it printed in the student newspaper
-Have the folks that do your announcements just start saying, "Are you in?" or "I'm in, are you?" at the beginning or end of announcements everyday.
-Create a video of students saying "I'm in" and end with "are you?" , then play it on the announcements.

Two weeks before your event, start posting flyers with more details. Check back for a poster you can download and customize for your schools event next week!

Here are some examples of ALL IN! "buzz fliers". Click on the flyer to see the full size image. Feel free to save them and use them in your school.

*Make sure you check with your advisor before you start advertising!

ALL IN! School Profile - Denby

2008-12-16T10:37:00.025-05:00

Denby PRIDE Club

Denby PRIDE held their first planning meeting on December 11th, 2008 to kick off their ALL IN! Plans!

ALL IN! Goal: The club is planning to host a large event in January where students will take part in dialogue and activities. They will be designed to help them explore issues of diversity and respect, and build a safe, more inclusive school

Advisors: Ms. Manningham and Ms. Lovett

Get an ALL IN! Profile for your school! Visit www.miroundtable.org and download the registration form.

ALL IN! School Profile - DIA

2008-12-16T10:07:00.013-05:00

Detroit International Academy

In December, students in Ms. Ayala's class completed a unit on leadership and community that culminated in a trip to the Henry Ford Museum to study the actions of American Civil Rights leaders.

ALL IN! Goal: These student leaders plan to develop a project that will help promote respect, leadership and cultural awareness in their school.

Advisor: Ms. Ayala

Get an ALL IN! Profile for your school! Visit www.miroundtable.org and download the registration form.

1 Month til ALL IN!

2008-12-11T14:13:00.001-05:00

Only 1 month until ALL IN! Watch this blog for weekly updates, ideas and profiles of student groups who are participating! Ready to plan an ALL IN week at your school or in your community? Visit http://www.miroundtable.org/ to download your ALL IN! guide.

I'm In!

2008-12-01T21:47:00.007-05:00

Why are you participating in ALL IN? Email us and we may feature you on the blog...

"I am anxious to participate in ALL IN! week because I think it will help people at my school understand and accept each other. Also, I want to help make my school a more inclusive and accepting community, and I think ALL IN! week will do just that!"
Laci Bosquez
Riverview High School

Nine Weeks and counting...

2008-11-11T08:57:00.002-05:00

It's less than 9 weeks until ALL IN! Watch this blog for weekly updates, ideas and profiles of student groups who are participating! Ready to plan an ALL IN week at your school or in your community? Visit http://www.miroundtable.org/ to download your ALL IN! guide.

Are You IN?

2008-11-04T13:31:00.003-05:00

ALL IN! is the Michigan Roundtable’s week-long inclusion event that challenges student groups to:

INvestigate who feels excluded and disrespected in their school,

INclude other students in a dialogue about diversity, and

INform their faculty, administration and peers about the issues in their school.

IN SCHOOL:
During the week of January 19, 2009, student groups across the metro Detroit region (and beyond) will work to make their schools more inclusive by planning, promoting and carrying out ALL IN! projects in their school.

ONLINE:
During the same week students, teachers and communtiy members will have the opportunity to share their unique perspectives and learn from others as they take part in daily discussions on issues of diversity and inclusion on the Michigan Roundtable’s Facebook network. Also, participating schools will be highlighted with their own profile here on the LINC (Leadership In the New Century) Blog, showcasing their student group and their plans for ALL IN! week.

Become an INstigator: download the ALL IN! program guide at http://www.miroundtable.org/!

Diversity Leadership Summit

2008-10-21T10:38:00.002-04:00

The Diversity Leadership Summit kicks off the LINC program year this Saturday! Workshops for both youth and adults, plus learn about the new ALL IN! Program, the Cyber[Safe]Space Project and get your updated Michigan Roundtable Diversity Club Resource Guide!

Get more info and register at the Michigan Roundtable website!

Coming Soon!

2008-10-20T09:20:00.004-04:00

Learn about the 2009 ALL IN! Program at the October 25 Diversity Summit!

Camp Crosstown - What did it mean to you?

2008-07-11T11:17:00.005-04:00

"Crosstown was life changing. For years I had been hiding pieces of myself, but Crosstown allowed me to be myself without fear!"

- Catherine

This has been the most empowering and inspiring week of my life! I have grown as a person, and I have been touched by the compassion and open-mindedness of everyone there! -Laci

For me, Crosstown was the chance of a lifetime! -Eysa

Camp Crosstown was an exhilirating experience for me. I am so grateful to my fellow ambassadors who have shown me so much. - Brandon

Camp Crosstown 08

2008-06-30T21:38:00.004-04:00

Camp Crosstown 2008 brought together student leaders from high schools across southeastern Michigan to explore issues of leadership, diversity and community. Check back soon for photos and quotes from student delegates!

Get ready to Walk the Walk

2008-05-03T07:32:00.001-04:00

Detroit Leadership Academy

2008-04-24T19:47:00.008-04:00

Approx. 100 high school student leaders and teachers from eight Detroit Public Schools came together on April 23rd and 24th to share strategies for working against violence, bullying and exclusion in their schools. The event, which was a follow-up to last summer's Transition Academy, took place at Youthville and the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History.

Participating students explored the impact of stereotypes and assumptions, learned how to become stronger leaders and practiced ways of intervening in potentially hurtful or violent situations at school. They also began work on a "Digital Quilt" to represent themselves and their school community. These students, representing Central, Chadsey, Denby, D.I.A., Frederick Douglas, Northwestern, Pershing and Southeastern High Schools, will make presentations to faculty and staff members at their schools.

Think that one person can't make a difference?

2008-04-23T21:03:00.003-04:00

What are you going to do?

2008-04-19T08:43:00.001-04:00

2008 LINC Connections Conference

2008-04-17T21:26:00.007-04:00

Almost 300 students and teachers gathered on Friday, April 11 for the LINC Connections Conference at the Ford Motor Company Conference and Events Center. The theme of this year's conference was "Leaders 4 Change" and featured roundtable dialogue on becoming a leader in creating safe, inclusive schools.

The conference also recognized LINC Educator of the Year Kellie Lovett of Denby High School; Administrator of the Year Patricia Pickett of Northwestern High School and Student Leader Scholarship Award winners Mensah Wells (Northwestern), Martez James (Northwestern) and Megan Milligan (Riverview).

MRDI CEO Tom Costello, Educator of the Year Kellie Lovett & LINC Coordinator Craig Anderson

Tom Costello, Martez James, Mensah Wells, Megan Milligan & Craig Anderson

Student presenters from Denby High School