The Equity Speakers Series

Purpose

The goal of the DVC Speaker Series: Education, Equity, and Inclusivity, is to provide safe space to identify, discuss and create solutions towards the academic and social challenges our disenfranchised low-income and communities of color face in order to gain access to equitable education and economic resources.

The Education, Equity and Inclusivity Speaker Series will increase engagement and inclusion across multiple identities; Enhance social equity and institutional access; co-create and support initiatives that promote diversity, social justice, empowerment, and community.

Education and economics are inextricably connected that determines social conditions. Research indicates social and economic statuses are indicators that determine access to quality health care and education. Communities of color are more adversely affected with a lack of access in both areas because they lack economic stability necessary to acquire quality services. It is for these reasons that DVC and its partners are facilitating space to dialogue on such issues.

Overview

The objective is to create a space for students, staff, faculty, and community to identify social equity and access in education, economics and to discuss community facilitated solutions.

Why education?

Education is one of several categories that economic systems contribute towards, yet the legislative body has not made it a priority and threatens the California Education Master Plan strategic direction to make education accessible for all by its lack of provision for education. Low-income students will be the most adversely effected.

Why economics?

Economics is the key and underlined variable that determines whether or not citizens have access to quality services. When economic structures are not appropriately funded an apartheid denying citizens of their basic human rights is created.

Relationship

The value of providing this opportunity is to educate the community by providing empirical knowledge and research about how economic structures under fund education, and the disproportionate impact on disenfranchised low income communities and communities of color. Additionally, the workshops and discussions will validate the a posteriori (knowledge through experience) of the community.