Workshop | A Racialized History of the Pacific Northwest from Before Settler Colonialism Until Today

Creating equity in our public institutions requires understanding where those institutions have historically and presently created disparities. This workshop is intended to aid this understanding by investigating the history of white supremacy and the construction of race in what’s now known as Oregon and SW Washington.

The workshop is intended to be very interactive, with participants reading out parts of the timeline in a large group, as well as reflecting together in small groups - all of which will be facilitated by a multiracial team of race equity facilitators from the Center for Equity & Inclusion. It will also not simply focus on the intellectual knowledge gained, but also on the social, mental, and emotional orientations needed to embody that knowledge in trauma-informed and culturally responsive ways. While it is certainly not intended to be an advanced workshop and will not assume any historical knowledge of the construction of race in Oregon & SW Washington, some basic understanding of the fact that race is a social construction that impacts all of us regardless of intentions will be necessary.

Dr. Matt LaVine is a Senior Racial Equity Facilitator and Consultant for CEI and Associate Professor of Environmental Studies at SUNY Potsdam. LaVine has spent the last 15 years navigating the intersections of education and equity, inclusion, and justice work. LaVine earned a bachelor's degree in mathematics and honors philosophy from SUNY Potsdam, masters degrees in mathematics (SUNY Potsdam) and philosophy (University at Buffalo), and a Ph.D. in philosophy from the University at Buffalo. Dr. LaVine brings a wealth of knowledge from his interdisciplinary background spanning education, philosophy, and diversity initiatives.

An educator, facilitator and creative leader for over a decade, Jessica Mallare-Best is the Director of Educational Equity leading CEI’s Equity Certificate Program and the Educator Intensive Program, as well as holding all of CEI’s educational partnerships with school districts and other educational entities. She is also an adjunct professor at Western Oregon University and holds a Master of the Arts in Teaching from Lewis and Clark as well as a Bachelor’s of Science from Portland State University in Psychology and Social Science with a minor in Sociology.

Jessica's expertise lies at the intersection of strategic leadership, curriculum development and engaging facilitation. With a track record in facilitating equity-focused training and guiding organizations through transformational journeys, she brings a strategic lens to our team. Her dynamic leadership and service to roles in school districts and consulting firms underscore her ability to drive impactful change in diverse settings.