Rogers celebrated Black History Month with daily learning, a 21-day challenge, and virtual film screening

03/23/22 05:31:pm

Rogers recognized its second annual Black History Month celebration with the “28 Days of Little-Known Black History Facts” calendar, the 21-Day Racial Equity Challenge, and a virtual film screening of The Neutral Ground followed by a group discussion.

“It’s just not Black people’s history – it’s America’s history,” said Karen Nelson, director of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) in her opening remarks before the February 22 group discussion of the film.

Offered as part of Rogers’ ongoing partnership with the Milwaukee Film Festival, The Neutral Ground viewing was offered to all employees, and the group discussion opened with a welcome by John Boyd, PsyD, Rogers’ Hospital Division CEO.

“For me, this is an area that I’m very passionate about — not only for my own community that I’m a part of but specifically for the Black community,” Dr. Boyd said. “It’s more than words from me. We know that the stories we tell are essential and important and they shape us, and unfortunately a large part of these stories within the Black community had been suppressed or told in a way that has not amplified the strength and leadership of the individuals in these communities.”

“These stories have chosen heroes, and they have plotlines,” he continued. “I am so grateful for living in the time in which we’re living where we can bring to life the stories of these incredible heroes in this community specifically by creating space for those that have been silenced in the past. This is a significant part of the gift of film: we can raise the voices of the community at large.”

A 2021 documentary, The Neutral Ground is about the New Orleans City Council’s 2015 decision to remove four Confederate monuments from public grounds. This seemingly straightforward decision ignited a maelstrom including death threats, laying bare the divisiveness still prominent in the South regarding the Civil War.

Following the screening, Geraud Blanks, chief innovation officer, Milwaukee Film, moderated a group discussion covering the themes from the film.

“One of the things I love about this film is it takes a really serious issue, and yet finds moments of humor,” Geraud said. “(The director) finds moments of empathy for people that we normally would not feel empathetic for. That, to me, is what I think we need more of. It’s fine to give your opinion and have your take on things, but can you open up and listen to other people and be empathetic to what they’re saying?”

Cesalie Stepney, PhD, clinical supervisor, Seattle, was one of 55 people who watched the film and one of 31 who attended the discussion.

“I was excited to see that Rogers was offering and encouraging folks to participate in the various Black History Month activities and was so impressed by the documentary screening,” Dr. Stepney says. “It felt relevant for both my personal and professional life, and I really enjoyed the opportunity to discuss the film with colleagues across the organization. It also led to interesting discussions at home since I watched the film with my partner and we both grew up in the South where confederate monuments were common. I hope that Rogers continues to prioritize EDI efforts moving forward as I believe this is essential for providing quality mental healthcare to diverse patient populations and supporting our BIPOC workforce as well.”

Thank you to everyone who viewed and/or participated in one or more of the three ways to engage in Rogers’ second annual Black History Month celebration.

The Black History Month events were organized by Karen and the Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) Employee Resource Group (ERG) leaders: Sherrell Comeaux, behavioral specialist; Elizabeth Davis, outreach representative; Maria Couyutas-Noriega, intake specialist; Angela Orvis, PsyD, clinical supervisor; and executive sponsor, Derrick Jordan, vice president of operations, Brown Deer.

For more news and information on Rogers’ EDI initiatives, please visit the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion page on Rogers Connect.