Racism in the Workplace Forum

Join YWCA Boulder County for an informative and interesting public policy forum from on Racism in the Workplace. All employers are encouraged to attend to discuss “best practices” for supporting a racially inclusive workplace. Bring your questions for the panel, and your success stories to share.

Panelists include:

• TJ Cole - Principal of Justice High School, Boulder Valley School District
  TJ is a former Municipal Court Judge who presided over criminal cases. He served as a District Court Magistrate for 17 years over civil cases (among others), during which time he also became published on juvenile justice. TJ has a specific interest in justice for the “at risk” population which led him to founding the Zoubida Cole College, serving racially diverse and low-income families.

• Courtney Prusmack - Manager of Diversity and Inclusion, Boulder County
  Courtney has worked professionally as a diversity & inclusion practitioner for 20 years, primarily with the Latino community. Courtney most recently  served as an Assistant Principal in the Adams 14 Public Schools, where she worked since 2010.  She is currently working on her Doctorate in Educational Equity and Executive Leadership at the University of Colorado-Denver and she holds a Master’s in Bilingual Education and Culturally/Linguistically Diverse Education.

• Tsunemi Rooney - Outreach Counseling Program Director, Safehouse Progressive Alliance for Non-violence
  Tsunemi received her M.A. in Transpersonal Counseling Psychology from Naropa University. She was adjunct faculty at both University of Colorado Boulder and Naropa University from 2003-2010. She has been a practicing psychotherapist for 32 years and has over 15 years of experience as a Diversity and Equity Consultant and Trainer. As the Counseling Program Director at SPAN she provides trainings and seminars on intersectionality of oppressions, inclusivity, domestic violence as well as clinical supervision for staff and master's level counseling interns.

• Valerie Simons - Executive Director and Title IX Coordinator, Office of Institutional Equity and Compliance, University of Colorado Boulder
  Valerie was named a Colorado Super Lawyer in Schools and Education Law in 2010. Prior to joining CU-Boulder in July 2014, Simons served as a trial attorney in Washington, D.C. at the Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division, Educational Opportunities Section. She received her bachelor’s degree in political economy from UC-Berkeley and her law degree from Georgetown University.

• Forum Moderator: John Tayer - President and CEO, Boulder Chamber of Commerce
  John is President and CEO of the Boulder Chamber of Commerce. He has years of experience in public affairs and community relations positions.

Stand Against Racism

Stand Against Racism is an annual campaign organized by YWCA USA in the last week of April. This event looks to build community among those who work for racial justice and to raise awareness about the negative impact institutional and structural racism in our communities. For more information on this national effort visit standagainstracism.org