MEDIA ADVISORY: Black Brown Dialogues on Policy hosts Virtual Town Hall—Sat. March 11, 2023 from 10:00 AM—4:30PM CST

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 3, 2023 Contact: Angela Valenzuela, Ph.D.

512-956-6722 (cell)

blackbrownpolicy@gmail.com

**Media Advisory**

AUSTIN, TX – Saturday, March, 11 2023 at 10:00 a.m., Black Brown Dialogues on Policy is proud to announce its first Virtual Town Hall in partnership with Texas LULAC, the Texas NAACP, the Texas Legislative Black Caucus and the Mexican American Legislative Caucus to discuss both the importance of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives in Texas colleges and universities, along with workforce diversity, and Ethnic Studies policy in K-12 education in Texas.

BBDP’s Virtual Town Hall takes place online at www.facebook.com/TeamBlackBrown. 

It will feature a panel of experts, as well as students who will discuss the benefits of DEI programs and how they help build more diverse, inclusive and welcoming spaces for youth and faculty in higher education. The panel will include:

• The Honorable Texas Senator Royce West
• Julia Brookins, Special Projects Administrator, American Historical Association

DEI programs are essential for creating a more equitable society and helping marginalized groups overcome systemic barriers. However, some lawmakers in Texas have recently proposed bills that, if passed, would restrict or eliminate these programs. BBDP’s Virtual Town Hall meeting will provide an opportunity for community members, employers, and legislators to learn more about DEI programs and voice their support for them.

"Consistent with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, we believe that DEI programs are critical for building a more just and inclusive society,” says Angela Valenzuela, Ph.D. and BBDP co-convener about the vital need for these programs and hiring practices. “We also encourage lawmakers to support Ethnic Studies in the K-12 curriculum,” she adds.

"As things stand in Texas because of decades of discrimination, there is a need for DEI policies to help ensure that African Americans and Latinos have fair representation and opportunities in recruitment, hiring and admission to tax-funding institutions and agencies,” said Gary Bledsoe, President of the Texas NAACP and a founder of the Black Brown Dialogues on Policy. "While DEI policies aren’t a magic wand, they have helped the state make progress in diversifying its workforce and its public colleges and universities."

The virtual town hall meeting is free and open to the public. We encourage community members, university faculty, students, advocates, and lawmakers to attend.

For more information about the town hall meeting, please contact Angela Valenzuela, Ph.D. at blackbrownpolicy@gmail.com.

WHEN: Saturday, March 11, 2023 at 10:00a.m. CST

WHERE:

www.facebook.com/TeamBlackBrown

INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITY: Angela Valenzuela, Ph.D.

Gary Bledsoe, Esq.

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#DEI #EthnicStudiesNow #DontLetDEIdie #GenZ #BBDPNextGen