Description:
This session will focus on the importance of language and words choice in our everyday interactions, personally and professionally, as well as discuss the phenomenon of microaggression in society.

Presenter:
Valerie L. Rochester, MPA, is the Chief Health Equity Officer at CHC: Creating Healthier Communities, a nationwide nonprofit dedicated to addressing the barriers to good health. She brings over 25 years of experience in the public health and human services fields, with a focus on impacting communities of color and improving access to quality programs and services, using a health, social equity, and justice-focused lens. Rochester has served on the board of directors of numerous national and community-based organizations, including her current tenure as board member and treasurer with the National Minority AIDS Council. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication from Purdue University and a Master’s in Public Administration from Indiana University.

Learning Objectives:

• Have a better understanding of terms and language used today
• Understand language as grounded in power relations
• Define what microaggressions are
• Understand the impact of microaggression on others
• Learn how best to respond to microaggressions
• Practice reframing commonly-used words and use of person-first language

Certificates of attendance will be available to viewers of 50% (30 minutes) or more of this presentation (via email within 30 business days following the event). CEUs are not available for this session.

The Central East MHTTC supports this Baltimore Faith Based Commission for Behavioral Health event.