Harvard Maintenance’s Post

This week, I was honored to attend one of the most unexpectedly hope-filled evenings: the Center for Civic Innovation ATL's 2023 Fellowship Showcase. The hope was unexpected as the fellows this year were focused on reducing gun violence. Most fellows had loved ones directly impacted by gun violence. But hope rose in their community-based pursuit of safety and justice while pitching new, innovative proposals. Rohit Malhotra, CEO of CCI, framed the evening from the get go: "Violence is a failure of public policy. It is not an accident. It is a consequence. Here tonight is a reminder that we have hope, even when everything feels broken. That hope comes from community, from people, people who in spite of what the world tells them to be and in spite of challenges we put in their way, people who move forward with hope anyway." If they can have the courage and commitment to hope, the least that we can do is follow them, support them, and elevate their visions to a better future. One participant shared: "Pain that is not transformed will be transmitted." I would add that transformed pain is powerful. I highly recommend learning more about these great leaders and supporting their work.

False information can lead to real-world consequences, as seen in the case of Edgar Welch, a 28-year-old North Carolina man who, in 2016, fired three shots from an AR-15-style rifle into a Washington, D.C. pizza restaurant believing it was the headquarters of a child sex trafficking ring. Welch later told police that he had planned to "self-investigate" the conspiracy theory he had repeatedly heard on talk radio and in the media. Credible journalism and critical thinking skills play vital roles in combating misinformation and promoting fact-based education. In today’s episode of Talk Trafficking, media literacy expert, Rosemary Smith, provides tools to develop and increase our critical thinking and citizen journalist skills. In the age of information overload and rapid sharing, these skills are critical to our individual and collective well-being. #media #medialiteracy #conspiracytheories #criticalthinking #trust #humantrafficking #pizzagate #misinformation #democracy #journalism

Check out our latest broadcast on the Evolution of DEI! #dei #deibestpractices #deib #deiba #diversity #equity #inclusion #diversitymakesusstronger #diversityequityandinclusion #diversityandinclusion #ceo #chro #cdo

Ron Machen, a strong advocate for diverse voices in decision-making spaces, believes there's untapped potential due to a lack of opportunities. “There’s a tremendous downside to that, not only from a social justice standpoint, but from an economic standpoint as well," he says. Learn about Ayana Machen (WG’99) and Ronald Machen, whose support for Wharton CEO is driven by their commitment to educating future leaders and creating opportunities for others. https://lnkd.in/eazERdAt

I recently gave a talk to a student group who want to learn about the background, interests, and accomplishments of computer science faculty at Vanderbilt. I uploaded a screencast of my talk to my YouTube channel at   https://lnkd.in/emcF-BEU A link to a PDF version of the slides I presented is available in the description box for this video.

“Robert F. Kennedy Jr., in a thought-provoking dialogue, shed light on the essential characteristics of our democratic society and our relationship with expertise. He passionately stated, "We live in a democracy. This isn't a realm of priesthoods or high priests dictating our beliefs. Each individual is in charge of their own life and it's crucial for Americans to take the lead in their own research." This sentiment, especially during times of significant challenges like the Covid-19 pandemic, is critical. Throughout this period, the phrase "trust the experts" became a cornerstone of advice. But what happens when experts don't agree? Kennedy Jr., drawing from his extensive legal experience in cases rooted in scientific controversies, offers a unique lens: "In over 500 cases I’ve been involved in, the heart of the matter was always a scientific debate. My responsibility? To critically interpret scientific data. And what's evident is that for every expert stance, there's an opposing expert view—even from the hallowed halls of Ivy League institutions like Harvard, Stanford, or Yale." This observation underscores an often-overlooked reality: experts, regardless of their impeccable credentials, can and do have divergent opinions on the same topic. This poses a pivotal question for society: Is blind trust in experts the right approach? Kennedy Jr. challenges this notion, drawing a poignant parallel: "Blindly trusting experts echoes religious dogma or totalitarian mandates. It isn’t the foundation of a thriving democracy." In true democratic societies, the spirit isn't just about acceptance; it's about questioning, robust debates, and making decisions steeped in informed judgment. This right to question, to challenge the status quo, is a hallmark of democratic societies. Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s insights remind us that a flourishing democracy leans not just on accepting expert views but fostering an environment where every voice, every question, and every critical thought contributes to the greater good.” #democracy #debate #religion #informedconsent #informeddecisions #research #doyourownresearch

Here is information about an undergraduate fellowship that trains students in civic leadership. The deadline to apply is March 10. -- "The John Lewis Young Leaders (JLYL) program is an undergraduate fellowship program that equips students with the necessary skills to become effective social justice and civic leaders. Since its creation in 2017, the Young Leaders program has focused on building the power of young people and supporting them as the next generation of human rights defenders. In 2022 we restructured and rebranded the program to pay homage to the beautiful and inspiring friendship between John Lewis and Robert Kennedy. Both Lewis and Kennedy shared a joint dream of building a more just and equitable future and worked towards one where all young people can see this come to fruition. The JLYL program is a year-long fellowship that prepares college students for a future in community organizing and civic engagement. Throughout the course of the year, fellows engage their campus and local communities in human rights work through a robust capstone project. Fellows receive resources and support to ensure their success in the program, including access to comprehensive grassroots organizing workshops, 1:1 mentorship from RFK Human Rights staff, financial support, and access to an extensive network of human rights professionals, peers, and program alumni. By providing fellows with these resources, we aim to build their capacity and confidence to pursue careers as human rights defenders and enact positive and perpetual change in their communities." https://lnkd.in/eXe3vWH3

I just finished watching an eye-opening TED Talk by J. Marshall Shepherd on how our perceptions of science are shaped. It's not just about facts; our experiences, culture, and presentation of information all influence us. We tend to trust what aligns with our beliefs, even if it's not solid science, and sometimes double down on our beliefs when faced with opposing evidence (the "backfire effect"). Media sensationalism and social media worsen this, creating echo chambers. But we can combat this by fact-checking, seeking diverse perspectives, and being open to changing our minds. It's eye-opening and worth a listen if you're curious about why we believe what we do! https://buff.ly/2NlkUfU #Science #Perspective #Inclusivity #TEDTalks

🎯 Breaking Barriers and Building Bridges at Howard University Last week, I had the incredible opportunity to speak at the esteemed Howard University. What struck me most was the sheer brilliance and drive of the students, who are clearly the future leaders we so desperately need. Speaking of leadership, shoutout to my co-presenter, Jaclyn Howard from RBC Wealth Management. You’re a dynamo, my friend, and our joint efforts made this an unforgettable experience. A reality we can’t ignore is the lack of diversity in the financial industry—a gap that contributes to the financial disparities faced by many African Americans. It was both sobering and uplifting to engage with some industry game-changers who are passionate about correcting this issue. Brett, Suzanne, Shareen, Aiyisha, Pamela, Shevawn, Dori, Rodney, Jonathan, Malena, LeeAnn, Lori, Kimberly, Christina, Erin, Rebecca, Mike and Erika Last but far from least, kudos to my Nationwide crew—D'Andrea Kinley, Kristi Rodriguez (Martin), Faneé Frederick, Austine Clopton, and Cynthia Hoes, MBA. Your work on Financial Alliance for Racial Equity (FARE) is more than just impactful; it’s necessary. This tool is a powerful ally in our collective mission to level the financial playing field. Here’s to breaking more barriers and building more bridges.