Amira Barger

The Media Teaches Us That Black Dads Are Absent - But They're So Wrong

I recently found myself reminiscing about a short note that my dad wrote to me on the back of a Christmas card when I was sixteen years old. He told me that I reminded him so much of his younger self, and how much he admired that about me.

Women are still leaving the workforce in droves. Addressing health inequities could help

Achieving health equity can help us create a more productive and engaged workforce.

Why I hope my daughter takes great pleasure in being as 'inconvenient as possible'

February is here, and I've been thinking a lot about the lessons I want to impart to my 9-year-old daughter. Practicing hope is something I encourage and teach her to do daily. But, this year, as I look at the state of the world around me, I can't help but feel a certain irony in the celebration of Black History Month.

BLACK REPRESENTATION DIDN’T GET TYRE HOME

Representation didn't bring Tyre Nichols Home

Finding resistance and cultural humility this Black History Month - PR Daily

Amira Barger is executive vice president, health DEI, at Edelman. The theme of this year's Black History Month is "Resistance." I'm sure, for most people, that term brings to mind images of protests and people marching in the streets. However, resistance comes in a myriad of forms, many much more subtle.

Black women need to give themselves permission to RSVP 'no'

On my LinkedIn page, I recently included a meme that read, "Sometimes when you're invited, you're still not welcome. Know the difference." The message resonated with my followers, especially Black women. Many commenters shared the sentiment - that while we deserve to be at every table, not every table deserves us.

The Buzz: Black Women Are Expected to Climb and Summit the Glass Cliff

While many are familiar with the concept of the "glass ceiling," fewer have heard of the accompanying phenomenon known as the "glass cliff." The glass cliff is especially precarious for women from historically marginalized and excluded communities - namely Black women.

5 tips to reduce anxiety and revive your in-person public speaking skills - PR Daily

In my career, I imagine I have given over 1,000 public presentations. As a former fundraiser and current professional communications & DEI strategist, it is a part of my reality.

DEI: Beyond The Blueprint

This November, Edelman launched the quarterly "DEI: Beyond the Blueprint" - a salon-style event designed for audiences to expand their knowledgebase by hearing from panelists on a range of workplace culture, diversity, equity, inclusion (DEI), and health equity topics.

How My Family Spends the Holidays Despite 'Network Poverty'

As I head into this holiday season, I feel a swirl of mixed emotions. Three years ago, my dad was diagnosed with multiple comorbidities. I first realized the severity of his condition last December during our Christmas trip to visit family in Arizona.

How to challenge glass cliffs and codify your archetype - Ragan Communications

Having broken through the glass ceiling, we now must recognize the glass cliff. Having women in top leadership roles is more important than ever. Women occupy more than half of management roles and are most often the leaders supporting well-being of employees through diversity, equity & inclusion.

Returning to the Office Isn't Worth the Cost for Many Parents

"Her backpack is not bulletproof? That's how the conversation with my husband started after we dropped our daughter off at school. We've been doing drop-off and pick-up as a family. Now, getting our child ready for school entails more than merely packing her lunch.

No, you are not 'over-indexing on Black' - PR Daily

As a consultant in the field of diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging (DEIB), more and more, I've been hearing the phrase, "We're over-indexing on Black." Each time I hear it I ask, "What specifically do you mean by that"? My question is an attempt to disrupt a person's thinking, to create enough pause to give them pause.

Is a DE&I certification worth it for comms pros? - PR Daily

I am often asked by diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I) communications professionals if getting certified in the field is worth it. I personally hold DE&I certifications and find that there is notable value to each of these programs. I want to provide my insight on why one might invest in this education and the practical utility that DE&I certification serves for the public relations community.

A Point of View: Nonprofit Principles (Could) Serve an Internal DEI Purpose, But Often Do Not

Equity principles are interconnected, intersectional, and anything but linear. They offer a compass for the ways in which we approach doing the work, building relationships, and honoring the people we are privileged to walk alongside. This work must be principled and rooted in the end goal of justice which holds to four pillars: access, equity, participation, human rights.

I'm a Black Mom Diagnosed with Crohn's Disease

In 2013, I was diagnosed with a chronic autoimmune disease I'd never heard of. Namely, because Crohn's Disease is a disease that historically impacts people of Jewish ancestry. I'm Black. Spring of that year, life was starting to get back to normal. Or as normal as it can be with a newborn infant.

As a Black mom and diversity expert, I will not agree to disagree on Roe

In the aftermath of the Supreme Court's overturning of Roe v. Wade, which shattered our constitutional right to an abortion, my social media feed and e-mail inbox have been flooded. And what I've been reading, even from many who I admire, has shocked me to my core.

Letter To The Editor: We can’t marry away systemic racism

Re. “Can intermarriage spare our state from America’s identity politics?” Page A9, June 21: https://www.eastbaytimes.com/2022/06/21/opinion-can-intermarriage-spare-california-from-americas-identity-politics/ I was disappointed to see an op-ed suggesting we can intermarry our way toward progress and out of systemic racism. As a Black woman in an interracial marriage to a White man, with a mixed-race child, I vehemently object to this harmful, oversimplified framing.

I'm a Black Bay Area parent. The Jackson hearings disappointed me.

I hope my daughter never has to endure the treatment Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson has been subjected to. Being a Black woman and the mother of a young Black girl, I felt it was important for her to witness this historical moment.

It's Better in Benicia - but, for whom?

Even amongst the most progressive, when Black people make specific calls to action that will impact systemic oppression, we are met with symbolism over material change. We asked for equity. They gave us a flag for Juneteenth. That's nice, and it doesn't address the issues that impact Black people on a daily basis.

2nd Annual Juneteenth Celebration hosted by Benicia Black Lives Matter

By Amira Barger, June 23, 2022 Thanks to community volunteers and the events team of Benicia Black Lives Matter (BBLM), the second annual Juneteenth Celebration brought us together as we collectively reflected on and commemorated a historic day. This event was made possible by community, for community.

Guest Blog: "Experiencing Inclusion: Sugar Cane Circles" - Cook Silverman Search

This week's blog is guest-authored by Amira (Mira) Barger, MBA, CVA, CFRE - Cook Silverman's Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, and Search Consultant. I'm sure by now that many of you will have heard the expression that "Diversity is being invited to the party, Inclusion is being asked to dance."

Guest Blog: "Say More..." - Cook Silverman Search

Growing up, I was often admonished by others with the phrase "You ask a lot of questions"! Looking back, I don't believe it was intended as a compliment, but it remains an accurate descriptor of me to this day - and one I wear as a badge of honor.

Guest blog: One of Us, All of Us - Cook Silverman Search

This week's blog is guest-authored by Amira (Mira) Barger, MBA,CVA,CFRE - Cook Silverman's Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, and Search Consultant. Because in the nonprofit sector and in every aspect of life, the issues that affect Black people affect all of us. So until Black people are free, no one is free.

DEI - What is the Measure? - Partnership Resources Group

We are the "nice" sector. Nice nonprofits, made up of nice people, doing nice things and putting nice into the world. I'm sorry to be the one to tell you, but "nice" simply isn't enough. It doesn't move us towards the change we need. There is no accountability in nice.

DEI - So what? - Partnership Resources Group

"When you believe niceness disproves the presence of racism, it's easy to start believing bigotry is rare, and that the label racist should be applied only to mean-spirited, intentional acts of discrimination. The problem with this framework-besides being a gross misunderstanding of how racism operates in systems and structures enabled by nice people-is that it obligates me to be nice in return, rather than truthful.

DEI - 4 Key Questions to Ask - Partnership Resources Group

In the wake of recent and ongoing protest across the nation, many nonprofit organizations are seeking ways to address racial injustice. Time has been focused on posting statements on social media, rapid-fire dialing to the closest available implicit bias trainer, and hours spent at book clubs trying to digest the most recent anti-racism book.

Guest Blog: Resourcing Teams and Communicating - Cook Silverman Search

There are few times in human history where an event happens that supersedes all those things that commonly serve to divide us. Coronavirus has crossed the lines of race, gender, and financial well-being. That being said, the impact is not felt and experienced equally. Communities that are among the

I Might Just Have To Build A Flux Capacitor

“As our own spheres of influence expand, we create spaces to bring more women alongside us.

Driving Diversity as a Committed Advisor to Leaders Around the Globe - HR Daily Advisor

We've written dozens of profiles on chief diversity officers (CDOs) and those in similar diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) leadership roles and gained some great insights into how these leaders have helped transform their organizations and the varied paths their careers have taken.

The DEI Movement - www.themeetingmagazines.com

The American melting pot consists of many ingredients. It's what gives our nation depth, character and diversity. With so many different kinds of people, how do association meeting planners manage diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) within their meetings and events environments?

What Matters Most in 2023: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Leaders Share Predictions On What...

In May 2020, a nation frustrated by months of lockdowns watched a 46-year-old black man named George Floyd murdered by a Minneapolis police officer. A recording of the brutal incident, caught by a bystander, streamed on social media timelines and news broadcasts worldwide.

Health Action Alliance

At our 12/8/2022 employer briefing, we asked our panel of experts to anticipate emerging trends in workplace health for 2023.

What Dr. Anthony Fauci Teaches Us About Leadership In A Crisis

Dr. Anthony Fauci, who will retire this month as director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, likely has more experience dealing with prolonged crises over the past 38 years than any corporate executive or other government official.

Comms pros' predictions for 2023: Purpose, people and the future of PR - PR Daily

It's cliché but true to say at this point: The last three years have led to seismic shifts in the way all communications functions are viewed, especially internal comms. This change has led to a melding of the traditionally separate disciplines of internal and external communications that seems likely to continue for years to come, according to PR pros we asked for predictions about the future.

Heightened Focus on Donor Diversity

Over the past few years, as the country has increasingly turned its attention to historical and societal injustices, organizations-from for-profit businesses to nonprofits enterprises-have focused more intentionally on implementing diversity, equity, and inclusion measures.

#WOCMondayMotivation

Women of Community (WOC) is focused on celebrating and elevating the voices of Women of Color — Black, Latina, Asian and Pacific Islander, Muslim, Indigenous — doing extraordinary work for the health of their communities.

What storytelling means to communicators - PR Daily

Storytelling is one of the most ancient and sacred concepts in all of human history. Starting with our long-distant ancestors weaving myths around fires that kept the darkness at bay and evolving through the centuries to include writing, painting, music, dance and more, it's a complex concept that still strikes at the very heart of who we are as a species.

Edelman's Amira Barger on why it's not best to 'fake it till you make it' as a comms pro - Ragan...

The "fake it till you make it" strategy - where you pretend to know something until you've reached the point where you actually do - doesn't serve communicators well in the long run. Learning new skills and gaining experience takes time, and if you fake your way through your career, you're likely to waste a lot of that time.

What Does It Mean To Be A 'Self-Made' Success?

By Karie Pinnix Oct. 7 2022, Published 8:05 a.m. ET The concept of being "self-made" is a topic that gets attention every year, either through Forbes ' list of self-made women or through a conversation with a friend. No matter how you define "self-made" success, it's something many aspire to be.

Does DEI Focus Too Much On Black People?

Does diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts focus "too much" on Black people? This question has been asked repeatedly on LinkedIn lately. This article seeks to unpack that question and provide a detailed analysis regarding DEI efforts that center Black employees.

5 Black Women Share What Equity Means To Them

September 21st is Black Women's Equal Pay Day. For every dollar that white men make, Black women are paid 58 cents. Any workplace that wants to achieve equity most prioritize the needs of the most marginalized. This article outlines how workplaces can better support their Black women employees.

The "ACT" Acronym with Amira Barger: A Tool From The Center for Social Inclusion - Points of Light

Amira Barger has a secret to countering implicit bias. Her presentation from the 2022 Points of Light Conference, "Inclusive Stories: Equity-Centered Language Design," offered a quick tool that you can put into action immediately. Amira is an executive vice president on the Global Health Sector team at Edelman, providing senior Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) and Multicultural counsel to clients.

New Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson inspires Bay Area court-watchers

CBS San Francisco SAN FRANCISCO - After taking her constitutional and judicial oaths, Ketanji Brown Jackson became the 116th Supreme Court Justice and the first Black woman to sit on that bench. Amira Barger watched the swearing in with her 9-year-old daughter Audrey.

Uplifting and Building Community: Nonprofit Management Instructor Amira Barger Shares Her...

"Trying to move people's hearts and minds for causes in the social sector, and in business and government areas, is what motivates me." - Amira Barger At the youthful age of five years old, Amira Barger was already volunteering in her family's church in Guam.

2022 Edelman Trust Barometer Special Report: Health and Trust

10 Career Tips from Women in Leadership

Throughout the stages of our lives, we as women are presented with so many narratives about who we're supposed to be, what we're supposed to look like, what path we're supposed to follow. But the truth is, the women that we often perceive as leaders often pave their own paths.

Amira Barger

Home: Benicia, CA. Age: Late thirty-something. Profession: Professor and DEI communications practitioner. Organization: Edelman and Cal StateEast Bay. Title: Executive Vice President. Pronouns: She/Her/Hers. Significant other: Jon B. (husband). Current project: Practicing personal agency (vs. authenticity). Recent professional development: Leading a new practice. Latest accomplishment: Doctoral program acceptance.

Benicia moves forward with racial equity committee

The community group Benicia Black Lives Matter, which formed as the country erupted in protests in the wake of George Floyd's death, was the driving force in the reforms.

36 Things People With Inflammatory Bowel Disease Wish Others Understood

Known collectively as inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis affect more than 1.6 million people in the United States, according to the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America. They are painful, medically incurable diseases that attack the digestive system. Many patients require numerous hospitalizations and surgery.

The Importance of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the Legal Profession: A Discussion from...

This program will consist of various practitioners from different perspectives discussing the various reasons why diversity, inclusion, and equity is critical in the legal profession. A Diversity, Equity and Inclusion scholar will discuss terminology and issues relevant to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion discussions.

Emerging Workplace Health Trends for 2023 | Health Action Alliance

On 12/8/2022, hear from leaders in business and public health about how your organization can maintain a strong connection with your teams and support their well-being. Featured Speakers: Ashish Jha, M.D., White House Coronavirus Response Coordinator Amira Barger, EVP DEI Health, Edelman Tracy Watts, Senior Partner, National Leader for U.S. Health Policy, Mercer Dr. Claire Novorol, Chief Medical Officer, Ada Health Brittany Giles-Cantrell, Program Director, de Beaumont Foundation

DEI Beyond the Blueprint

This November, Edelman launched the quarterly “DEI: Beyond the Blueprint” — a salon-style event designed for audiences to expand their knowledgebase by hearing from panelists on a range of workplace culture, diversity, equity, inclusion (DEI), and health equity topics.

Principles of Practice for Institutional Change & Healthcare - Amira Barger (Executive Vice...

Join us for a conversation with Amira Barger to learn more about Principles of Practice for Institutional Change & Healthcare. Are you interested in building a more diverse workforce? Join us as we delve into the experiences of well-known DEI experts in implementing DEI programs at leading organizations. Listen to get inspired on how to roll out DEI initiatives in your organization. Learn from their Visit diverseek.com for...

Virtual Workshop: Future of Transparency: DEI Data Disclosure

Twice as Hard: The Cost of Black Women’s Strength and Resilience.

Janelle chats with Amira Barger about the true costs behind Black women's resilience. From the confirmation hearings of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to having an alphabet soup of credentials, Janelle and Amira dive into intersectionality, misogynoir and the generational harm behind exceptionalism. More All Things Equitable: https://www.allthingsequitable.ca/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/janellebe... https://twitter.com/JB_Equitable

Build the Table Collaboratively

Amira Barger, Executive Vice President on the Global Health Sector team, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion at Edelman - Build the Table Collaboratively In this episode of Reimagining Company Culture, we’re chatting with Amira Barger, Executive Vice President on the Global Health Sector team, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion at Edelman. Amira is a scholar, practitioner, and thought leader who brings more than 17 years of experience in strategic communications that reach stakeholders, mobilize the...

Inclusivity for impact in the nonprofit sector

To have the impact we want, the charitable sector must not just embrace gender inclusivity but embrace all people. This session, sponsored by Altus Marketing & The Zumaya Group, features a panel of outstanding women and allies working in the social good sphere talking about different aspects of inclusivity and how we can all be better, more inclusive leaders in the philanthropic sector. Panelists - Amira Barger – Executive Vice President, Edelman - Lisa Greer - Philanthropist,...

Growing Your Workforce’s Emotional Intelligence with Lessons from the Black Experience

The weight of balancing demands at home and work while experiencing work stress and burnout is at an all-time high. Imagine having these experiences while also navigating laws that forbid access to doctors who provided the best healthcare or wondering if a disrespectful response to a boss would more likely lead to your death than firing. Black Americans who experienced these life and death challenges managed to find resilience and hope that led to overcoming barriers professionally while...

CSU Black Media Conference

Sponsored by the Department of Communications, Media Arts & Theatre at Chicago State University. Find the program and speaker bios at https://www.csu.edu/CMAT/events.htm DAY 3, 1 PM Careers in PR & Advertising Ashley Atkins, Vice President Health, Edelman Amira Barger, Senior Vice President Public Affairs & Public Relations, Olgilvy Bianca Bradford, Executive Vice President & Account Director, Leo Burnett Hosts: Dr. Liefu Jiang, Assistant Professor of PR and Tarana Hammond, Lecturer...

Priceless Advice Conversation with Amira Barger, MBA, CVA, CFRE; Volunteer/Donor Engagement and More

A fun and informative chat with Amira "Mira" Barger (MBA,CVA, CFRE) recorded May 1st, 2020. We delve into her expertise and #PricelessAdvice on volunteer and donor relationships and engagement, particularly in a crisis like the current COVID-19 situation. Mira shares her thoughts and feelings on "working at home" (different than "from home"), and the work/life mental and physical health balance that so many #LeadersOfVolunteers are struggling with right now. Mira serves on the Board of the...

Equity and inclusion in the nonprofit sector

In this episode our good friend Amira Barger, Head of Business Development at the Public Health Institute talks with us about one of the most under-addressed topics in the nonprofit sector. Equity and inclusion. She shares her personal perspective on what it means to create equitable environments in the nonprofit workplace, why equity is important and inclusion is essential, and what some of the biggest roadblocks are. In our conversation, Amira mentions several great resources that...

Meet the 30 young leaders forging a new future for the healthcare industry in 2022

A generation of leaders is changing the healthcare industry as we know it: https://www.businessinsider.com/30-leaders-under-40-changing-healthcare-in-2022

AccessElite | DEIB Advisory Board

AccessElite has appointed some amazing experts in Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB), to the AccessElite DEIB Advisory Board. These individuals are trailblazers changing the way companies transform diversity and inclusion in the workplace. Our advisors will provide thought leadership and ignite future programming, ensuring we continue to provide the highest quality experiences for you and your employees.

JLI Adds Two Members to its Board of Directors

Public Relations and Media Executives Amira Barger and Ritch Colbert Join the Journalistic Learning Initiative Board October 4, 2021 (Eugene, Ore.) - The non-profit Journalistic Learning Initiative (JLI) recently added two new members to its board, bringing the total number of board members to

By the Bay Health Names Three Bay Area Business Leaders to Board of Directors

LARKSPUR, Calif., July 14, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- By the Bay Health (BTBH) today announced the appointment of Amira Barger, Tracy Stempel Hogan, and Greg LeClaire to the Board of Directors. These three new board appointments reflect the organization's broadening services and expanding role serving the Bay Area with hospice care, palliative care, comfort care, grief counseling, pediatric care, and skilled home health care services.