The Montana Winter Institute on Diversity, Inclusion & The Science of the Positive

We are excited to announce our first-ever winter Institute, a remote series that will explore issues around diversity, inclusion, and The Science of the Positive. A sense of belonging is a basic human need and is considered one of the key Positive Childhood Experiences that lead to better health outcomes in adulthood. This sense of belonging takes root when diversity is honored and welcomed, and inclusion is highly valued. This is work we are prioritizing at The Montana Institute, and we hope you will join us online for an hour each day, January 23rd-27th, as we learn from an esteemed group of leaders and scientists about their research and experiences at the intersection of diversity, inclusion and prevention.

Speakers and Topics:

Monday, Jan. 23rd – Adair Mosely, “Positive Norms and Hope in Hard Places"

Adair is the CEO of the African American Leadership Forum, and the former president and CEO of Pillsbury United Communities in Minneapolis. Adair is recognized as a passionate change-maker and relentless strategic innovator. Over the course of his leadership journey, he has demonstrated radical and inclusive solutions to the community’s most urgent needs, co-created with people most affected.

Tuesday, Jan. 24th – Liza Talusan, PhD, “A DEI & Justice Primer for Prevention Professionals Applying Positive Community Norms”

Liza is an engaging facilitator in conversations about diversity, anti-racism, bias, privilege and power and creates environments that allow for people to discuss these difficult topics openly. Through her direct work with organizational leaders, staff, students, teachers, and communities, Liza empowers individuals to create a more inclusive organization, environment, community and team.

Wednesday, Jan. 25th – Briana, Woods-Jaeger, PhD, “Structural Racism, the Resulting Health Inequities and a Positive Path Forward”

Briana is a licensed clinical psychologist and associate professor of behavioral, social, and health education sciences at Emory University. Her research focuses on partnering with communities to reduce and eliminate health disparities associated with stress and trauma. Using a social-ecological framework and community-based participatory research approach her research has examined how social, cultural, and structural factors influence mental health and health risk behaviors among children and adolescents exposed to trauma and chronic stress.

Thursday, Jan. 26th – Arthur Blume, PhD, “Honoring Alternative Cultural Worldviews to Strengthen Science of the Positive Prevention Methods”

Art is an American Indian scholar with extensive experience researching addictive behaviors and alcohol use interventions among ethnic minority populations, including American Indians and Alaska Natives, and among college students. Art is the author of A New Psychology Based on Community, Equality, and Care of the Earth. Most of his research during the last 15 years has been toward the advancement of understanding and effectively intervening upon addictive behaviors among racial and ethnic minorities in culturally appropriate ways.

Friday, Jan. 27th – Myra Parker, JD, MPH, PhD and Jeff Linkenbach, EdD, “Honoring The Positive: Reflecting on Positive Community Norms efforts in diverse communities – past, present and future”

Myra (Mandan-Hidatsa-Cree) is an associate professor in the Center for the Studies of Health and Risk Behaviors in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, in the University of Washington School of Medicine. She also serves as the director for Seven Directions: A Center for Indigenous Health. Myra has worked for over ten years on tribal public health program implementation, and coordination with tribal communities in Arizona, Idaho, and Washington, as well as with tribal colleges and universities across the United States. Her research experience in public health involves Community Based Participatory Research, cultural adaptation of evidence-based interventions, and disparities research.

Jeff is the Founding Director and Chief Research Scientist at The Montana Institute and has developed national award-winning programs to change social norms. He pioneered development of the Science of the Positive process and the Positive Community Norms framework, which are being utilized by tribal, federal, state and local organizations to achieve positive change and transformation around issues including child maltreatment, substance abuse, suicide, and traffic safety.

Each session will be presented live:
1:00pm-2:00pm EST
12:00pm-1:00pm CST
11:00am-12:00pm MST
10:00am-11:00am PST

Recordings of each session will be made available to registered attendees for 30 days following the event.