The inaugural JEDI Academy took place May 2-3, 2024, at the beautiful Lake Merritt Sailboat House in the City of Oakland. More than 65 park, recreation, and industry professionals from 35 different organizations attended this two-day professional development event. The Academy aimed to offer attendees “intermediate” education about JEDI principles (i.e., Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion) to be implemented in their daily work, within their workplaces, and even in their personal lives as community members. All 2024 JEDI Academy experiences focused on Awareness, Belonging, and Communication.
The programming offered across the two-day academy included:
- Mindfulness Meditation w/ Samara Reynolds
- Equity System Change Management w/ Darlene Flynn, City of Oakland [0.15 CEUs]
- Together We Dine Luncheon w/ Project Unity
- Awareness, Belonging, Communication
- Belonging 2.0 w/ Tiarra Warner, City of Rohnert Park [0.1 CEUs]
- So, You've Identified Your Privilege, Now What? w/ Frankie Nelson, City of Folsom, Penelope Crouse-Feehan, City of Folsom, & Ashika Lal, Southgate Recreation and Park District [0.125 CEUs]
- Equity in Budgeting w/ Leah Martinez, CPRP, City of Hayward [0.125 CEUs]
- Park Access & Equity w/ Tara Gee, City of Roseville & Doug Grove, RHA Landscape-Architects [0.125 CEUs]
- JEDI Policy Builder Workshop w/ Becky Herz, Orangevale Recreation and Park District [0.15 CEUs]
JEDI Academy attendees are able to access the photos and presentation materials (that were shared) within this Google Drive folder.
The Together We Dine Luncheon on the first day was the nexus of the A, B, C’s of the Academy content and the CPRS Strategic CARD Framework. Attendees were split up into diverse groups of about 7 people with a facilitator from Project Unity at each table providing rules for engagement and guidance through the experience. Everyone received a question of their own regarding equity, race relations, allyship, inclusion, etc. Participants got to practice listening, communicating, and being vulnerable while also being productive and respectful. The shift in energy after the luncheon was significant, far beyond simply breaking the ice – it seemed as though the group was truly connecting and cultivating belonging. At the end of the luncheon, attendees were asked what gave them hope; some responses are pictured below.
Here are some insights from JEDI Academy attendees:
The JEDI academy allows us to have educated conversations surrounding difficult topics. After attending I'm now more confident in making decisions regarding these sensitive issues.
Empowering. Poignant. Inspirational. That's how I would describe the 2024 JEDI Academy. From the sessions, there were a wide variety of experiences and it was nice to hear the perspectives of other like-minded people. And though we did not all have the same point of view or agree on everything, together we were able to navigate the critical process of discovery and consider strategies for making impacts in our communities. All-in-all, the JEDI Counsel planned and executed an impactful, well-thought-out, insightful, and transformational academy.
There were plenty of "ah-ha" moments but I'll round it down to the small intimate table talks. I think that was my favorite part of the event. A judgment free zone where we got to speak and listen.
I know realize how "systemic" discrimination is. It's not just a few bad actors. It's built into the system.
Just because programs are full doesn't mean that we are meeting the needs of the community.
Equity creates the path between hope and change.
We want to express our thanks to the City of Oakland for serving as the host of the inaugural JEDI Academy and to Group 4 Architecture for being our title sponsor. The Academy would not have been possible without our community of supporters!