“Divisible” film screening and discussion: Benson Theatre (Read More)
"Divisible" is a documentary feature film about the history and current impacts of redlining in the United States, focusing on the specific case of Omaha, Nebraska to show how this practice continually affects and harms people and cities across the nation. Redlining was a government policy beginning in 1934 that designated specific areas of cities to receive financial support and excluded low-income areas and communities of color, targeting them for disinvestment and decline. This targeting reflected a long history of racism. These disfavored redlined neighborhoods were overwhelmingly populated by people of color. The resulting disinvestment exacerbated pre-existing socio-economic and racial disparities. While redlining as government policy was ultimately banned in 1968, the harmful impacts are clear to this day and many of the informal practices continue. Yet most Americans do not know what ‘redlining’ means, much less its powerful and persistent implications. This lack of understanding about redlining skews many Americans’ perceptions of various socioeconomic disparities past and present. As such, Divisible aims to build awareness of the historical context that precipitated redlining, and the ways redlining’s effects are still felt to this day in the lives of many. Each screening will include a panel of film participants and issue experts for a Q&A with attendees.
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“Divisible” film screening and discussion: Benson Theatre (Read More)
"Divisible" is a documentary feature film about the history and current impacts of redlining in the United States, focusing on the specific case of Omaha, Nebraska to show how this practice continually affects and harms people and cities across the nation. Redlining was a government policy beginning in 1934 that designated specific areas of cities to receive financial support and excluded low-income areas and communities of color, targeting them for disinvestment and decline. This targeting reflected a long history of racism. These disfavored redlined neighborhoods were overwhelmingly populated by people of color. The resulting disinvestment exacerbated pre-existing socio-economic and racial disparities. While redlining as government policy was ultimately banned in 1968, the harmful impacts are clear to this day and many of the informal practices continue. Yet most Americans do not know what ‘redlining’ means, much less its powerful and persistent implications. This lack of understanding about redlining skews many Americans’ perceptions of various socioeconomic disparities past and present. As such, Divisible aims to build awareness of the historical context that precipitated redlining, and the ways redlining’s effects are still felt to this day in the lives of many. Each screening will include a panel of film participants and issue experts for a Q&A with attendees.
Now in its sixth year, the Poetry & Music Project connects student poets and their words with composers to create original music and explore the connections between poetry and music. The 22/23 Poetry & Music Project Concert will take place at The Benson Theater and via livestream. This event is free and open to the public. This concert will premiere 15 original pieces with words from poems selected from Nebraska students and set to music by professional composers Gabrielle Herbst and J.E. Hernández. Students were asked to write in connection to the theme for this year’s project, “Finding Your Voice.” Within this larger idea were sub-themes: Joy, Transformation, Creativity, Empathy, and Overcoming Obstacles. All 135 submitted poems will be included in the Poetry & Music Project book which will be distributed to all poets, teachers, concert audience, and available online in May. 22/23 selected poems: “Un Corps” by Addison Bryant, Anselmo-Merna Public School “I want my voice to be…” by Theodore Bullis, Castle Hill Academy “Capturing the essence of your voice” by Maggie Dendinger, Cedar Catholic High School “Not all of us live the same” by Claire Gunn, Gretna Middle School “You Are Beautiful” by Emma Kaiser, Portal Elementary “I’ll Grow” by Aarya Khobare, Millard North Middle School “Voice Emotions” by Makayla Klinefelter, St. John the Baptist School “I am not Alone” by Lucie Lautenschlager, Palmer Public School “Untitled” by MaKenna Love, Norfolk Catholic “Burning Stars” by Athiei Majuec, Logan Fontenelle Middle School “Joy” by Ava Noecker, Cedar Catholic High School “Universe’s End” by Kylie Remm, Douglas West High School “Sweet Little Lullabies” by Meyiah Sanchez, Omaha Street School “The Land I Call Home” by Ava Stewart, Cedar Catholic High School “Love, Heart, Kind” by Kim Valquier, Hayward School
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DEIA Lunch and Learn Series with Michelle Troxclair (Read More)
Diversity, equity, inclusion and access are terms we’ve heard recently being used by companies and organizations as a way to fight against harm and appear to engage all people. But what do they actually mean and how do we trust that they’re more than just trendy buzzwords? How do they translate into hiring practices, doing more than just inviting diverse faces to the table but also embracing their ideas, culture and voices. How do these words acknowledge the neuro and ability divergent? How do we go beyond the buzzwords and embrace the discomfort that comes with real change? This series of conversation events facilitated by Michelle Troxclair will consider the stories of panelists with experience in each session's topic. April 24, 2023, 11am-1pm - Panel discussion to include Indigenous perspectives and how organizations can conduct real outreach. May 11, 2023 - 6pm-9pm - Panel discussion regarding the role of privilege in hiring, maintaining workers and customers from marginalized communities. June 26, 2023 - 11am-1pm - Panel discussion addressing the LGBTQ+ community, policy and legislation, workplace toxicity and hate rhetoric and crime. Events are free, but registration is required. Watch for information on the Benson Theatre website: https://bensontheatre.org/
Contact Information
Title: Email: Phone: Website: City:
DEIA Lunch and Learn Series with Michelle Troxclair (Read More)
Diversity, equity, inclusion and access are terms we’ve heard recently being used by companies and organizations as a way to fight against harm and appear to engage all people. But what do they actually mean and how do we trust that they’re more than just trendy buzzwords? How do they translate into hiring practices, doing more than just inviting diverse faces to the table but also embracing their ideas, culture and voices. How do these words acknowledge the neuro and ability divergent? How do we go beyond the buzzwords and embrace the discomfort that comes with real change? This series of conversation events facilitated by Michelle Troxclair will consider the stories of panelists with experience in each session's topic. April 24, 2023, 11am-1pm - Panel discussion to include Indigenous perspectives and how organizations can conduct real outreach. May 11, 2023 - 6pm-9pm - Panel discussion regarding the role of privilege in hiring, maintaining workers and customers from marginalized communities. June 26, 2023 - 11am-1pm - Panel discussion addressing the LGBTQ+ community, policy and legislation, workplace toxicity and hate rhetoric and crime. Events are free, but registration is required. Watch for information on the Benson Theatre website: https://bensontheatre.org/
Contact Information
Title: Email: Phone: Website: City:
DEIA Lunch and Learn Series with Michelle Troxclair (Read More)
Diversity, equity, inclusion and access are terms we’ve heard recently being used by companies and organizations as a way to fight against harm and appear to engage all people. But what do they actually mean and how do we trust that they’re more than just trendy buzzwords? How do they translate into hiring practices, doing more than just inviting diverse faces to the table but also embracing their ideas, culture and voices. How do these words acknowledge the neuro and ability divergent? How do we go beyond the buzzwords and embrace the discomfort that comes with real change? This series of conversation events facilitated by Michelle Troxclair will consider the stories of panelists with experience in each session's topic. April 24, 2023, 11am-1pm - Panel discussion to include Indigenous perspectives and how organizations can conduct real outreach. May 11, 2023 - 6pm-9pm - Panel discussion regarding the role of privilege in hiring, maintaining workers and customers from marginalized communities. June 26, 2023 - 11am-1pm - Panel discussion addressing the LGBTQ+ community, policy and legislation, workplace toxicity and hate rhetoric and crime. Events are free, but registration is required. Watch for information on the Benson Theatre website: https://bensontheatre.org/
Contact Information
Title: Email: Phone: Website: City:
DEIA Lunch and Learn with Michelle Troxclair (Read More)
Diversity, equity, inclusion and access are terms we’ve heard recently being used by companies and organizations as a way to fight against harm and appear to engage all people. But what do they actually mean and how do we trust that they’re more than just trendy buzzwords? How do they translate into hiring practices, doing more than just inviting diverse faces to the table but also embracing their ideas, culture and voices. How do these words acknowledge the neuro and ability divergent? How do we go beyond the buzzwords and embrace the discomfort that comes with real change? These are some of the many things we’ll be addressing in this two hour long lunch and learn featuring a panel of some of Omaha’s best thought leaders - Olajide Cooper, Nate Scott, Lacey Lamar, and Michael McGee - and led by Michelle Troxclair DEIA Specialist with the Benson Theatre. Event is free and includes lunch, but registration is required. For more information and the registration link, visit https://bensontheatre.org/.
