Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion at the Cowan-Blakley Memorial Library

Our lives, our cultures, are composed of many overlapping stories. Novelist Chimamanda Adichie tells the story of how she found her authentic cultural voice -- and warns that if we hear only a single story about another person or country, we risk a critical misunderstanding.

Four decades ago, Judith Heumann helped to lead a groundbreaking protest called the Section 504 sit-in — in which disabled-rights activists occupied a federal building for almost a month, demanding greater accessibility for all. In this personal, inspiring talk, Heumann tells the stories behind the protest — and reminds us that, 40 years on, there's still work left to do.

Eefa Shehzad at TEDxYouth@ISBangkok

Russell McClain examines the role of implicit bias and stereotype threat - the fear of confirming another's biased views - in creating achievement gaps in higher education.

Our biases can be dangerous, even deadly — as we've seen in the cases of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri, and Eric Garner, in Staten Island, New York. Diversity advocate Verna Myers looks closely at some of the subconscious attitudes we hold toward out-groups. She makes a plea to all people: Acknowledge your biases. Then move toward, not away from, the groups that make you uncomfortable. In a funny, impassioned, important talk, she shows us how.

Winners & finalists in 21 categories including biography, debut, drama, mystery, poetry, romance, science fiction, LGBT studies, etc. Awarded since 1988.

Recommendations from librarians who specialize in young adults. Categories include historic fiction, romance, graphic novels, SF, etc.

The ALA Over the Rainbow List is an annual list of books with significant gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender content, and which are aimed at adults, aged 18+ produced by the American Librarian Association's (ALA's) Rainbow Project, which is run by the ALA's Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Round Table (GLBTRT) and Social Responsibilities Round Table (SSRT).

Listed is literature for Christians looking for more information on same-sex attraction and chastity. These readings are highly recommended (and some even written) by Courage leaders. This can be an excellent starting point for those seeking a greater understanding of the root causes of homosexuality and how we, as Christians, are called to live chaste lives in Jesus Christ.

Sponsored by the American Library Association's Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgendered Round Table since 1971, awards for literature & non-fiction and ten honor books each year.