Creating a safe space to learn about diversity
Donation protected
My name is Val Harvey and for the past 15 years, I’ve been a freelance makeup artist in the Los Angeles Area. I’m here, on GoFund me, humbly seeking support for tuition to attain a certificate in Diversity, Inclusion and Equity Training.
Like many, 2020 started out as a year full of promise. I had a thriving career with growing opportunity and potential. With several “secured” jobs on the books, it appeared as though I was set up for a great business year and to reach professional goals I’d been striving for since the beginning of my career, including joining the makeup artist union.
As it played out, my plans came to a screeching halt. Like millions of Americans and thousands in the film/TV industry, a domino effect ensued as job after job cancelled and I was unemployed and quarantined in my home for months. As the days progressed and the full reopening of the country continued to be pushed back because of COVID-19, it became apparent that I would not return to my career this year, specifically because artists will come back to production in one of the last phases.
This realization coincided with the tragic murder in cold blood of George Floyd, which played out before all of our eyes. It awakened the world to police brutality against African Americans on a scale I had never witnessed in my 40 years on this earth. With the Black Lives Matter movement reinvigorated, the reality of systemic racism in America and anti-blackness in the world is a topic that could no longer be ignored.
Being an Afro Latinx woman, I can relate firsthand to the surreal experience of being Black in America. From that point, I needed to find a way I could use my voice to share my experience and be of service to people wanting understand the perceptual, institutional and psychological processes that impact the ways people interact with each other. I sprung into action. With the guidance of a mentor with decades of experience in Diversity, Inclusion and Equity, I was led to an accredited online course at Cornell University.
I aspire to use my passion for social justice and advocacy to become a successful agent of change in my community and in the workplace. I would be grateful for donations of any size. Everything is appreciated and would go directly toward payment of my tuition. Class starts August 5th, 2020! You can look up the course and associated costs and the URL below.
Diversity, Inclusion & Equity Course (https://www.ecornell.com/certificates/leadership-and-strategic-management/diversity-and-inclusion/):
Total cost: $2520 (Each class is 2 weeks long.)
Courses in this Certificate:
Improving Engagement
Counteracting Unconscious Bias
Diversity and Inclusion at Work
Fostering an Inclusive Climate
What I will earn:
Diversity and Inclusion Certificate from Cornell ILR School
32 Professional Development Hours (3.2 CEUs)
In addition, I would like to offer the following to donors:
ALL donors will receive a video link to a talk on Diversity, Inclusion and Equity by yours truly and a reading and watch list on the subject.*
People donating $200+ can choose between first access to a curated Diversity, Inclusion and Equity Experience led by yours truly (The experience will consist of a lecture on the subject followed by Q&A in a group setting of no more than 10 people or via zoom) - or - Makeover/lesson credit which is redeemable in person or via zoom - or - Two hours of Diversity, Inclusion & Equity consulting on your video or audio project.*
The D.I. & E. experience and video link to will be available upon my completion and certification of classes and subsequent curation of discourse (estimated completion at no sooner than 6 months).
Makeup sessions will be available beginning August 3rd, 2020, based on my availability and may be subject to change at my discretion due to COVID19.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your consideration. Donations are wonderful but sharing my story and goal is just as appreciated!
Like many, 2020 started out as a year full of promise. I had a thriving career with growing opportunity and potential. With several “secured” jobs on the books, it appeared as though I was set up for a great business year and to reach professional goals I’d been striving for since the beginning of my career, including joining the makeup artist union.
As it played out, my plans came to a screeching halt. Like millions of Americans and thousands in the film/TV industry, a domino effect ensued as job after job cancelled and I was unemployed and quarantined in my home for months. As the days progressed and the full reopening of the country continued to be pushed back because of COVID-19, it became apparent that I would not return to my career this year, specifically because artists will come back to production in one of the last phases.
This realization coincided with the tragic murder in cold blood of George Floyd, which played out before all of our eyes. It awakened the world to police brutality against African Americans on a scale I had never witnessed in my 40 years on this earth. With the Black Lives Matter movement reinvigorated, the reality of systemic racism in America and anti-blackness in the world is a topic that could no longer be ignored.
Being an Afro Latinx woman, I can relate firsthand to the surreal experience of being Black in America. From that point, I needed to find a way I could use my voice to share my experience and be of service to people wanting understand the perceptual, institutional and psychological processes that impact the ways people interact with each other. I sprung into action. With the guidance of a mentor with decades of experience in Diversity, Inclusion and Equity, I was led to an accredited online course at Cornell University.
I aspire to use my passion for social justice and advocacy to become a successful agent of change in my community and in the workplace. I would be grateful for donations of any size. Everything is appreciated and would go directly toward payment of my tuition. Class starts August 5th, 2020! You can look up the course and associated costs and the URL below.
Diversity, Inclusion & Equity Course (https://www.ecornell.com/certificates/leadership-and-strategic-management/diversity-and-inclusion/):
Total cost: $2520 (Each class is 2 weeks long.)
Courses in this Certificate:
Improving Engagement
Counteracting Unconscious Bias
Diversity and Inclusion at Work
Fostering an Inclusive Climate
What I will earn:
Diversity and Inclusion Certificate from Cornell ILR School
32 Professional Development Hours (3.2 CEUs)
In addition, I would like to offer the following to donors:
ALL donors will receive a video link to a talk on Diversity, Inclusion and Equity by yours truly and a reading and watch list on the subject.*
People donating $200+ can choose between first access to a curated Diversity, Inclusion and Equity Experience led by yours truly (The experience will consist of a lecture on the subject followed by Q&A in a group setting of no more than 10 people or via zoom) - or - Makeover/lesson credit which is redeemable in person or via zoom - or - Two hours of Diversity, Inclusion & Equity consulting on your video or audio project.*
The D.I. & E. experience and video link to will be available upon my completion and certification of classes and subsequent curation of discourse (estimated completion at no sooner than 6 months).
Makeup sessions will be available beginning August 3rd, 2020, based on my availability and may be subject to change at my discretion due to COVID19.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your consideration. Donations are wonderful but sharing my story and goal is just as appreciated!
Organizer
Valerie Harvey
Organizer
Los Angeles, CA