The programming offered across the two-day academy included:

• Mindfulness Meditation w/ Samara Reynolds
  • Awareness
• Equity System Change Management w/ Darlene Flynn, City of Oakland [0.15 CEUs]
  • Awareness, Communication
• Together We Dine Luncheon w/ Project Unity
  • Awareness, Belonging, Communication
• Belonging 2.0 w/ Tiarra Warner, City of Rohnert Park [0.1 CEUs]
  • Belonging
• So, You've Identified Your Privilege, Now What? w/ Frankie Nelson, City of Folsom, Penelope Crouse-Feehan, City of Folsom, & Ashika Lal, Southgate Recreation and Park District [0.125 CEUs]
  • Awareness
• Equity in Budgeting w/ Leah Martinez, CPRP, City of Hayward [0.125 CEUs]
  • Awareness, Belonging
• Park Access & Equity w/ Tara Gee, City of Roseville & Doug Grove, RHA Landscape-Architects [0.125 CEUs]
  • Awareness, Belonging
• JEDI Policy Builder Workshop w/ Becky Herz, Orangevale Recreation and Park District [0.15 CEUs]
  • Awareness, Communication

Together We Dine Luncheon

The Together We Dine Luncheon on the first day was the nexus of the A, B, C’s of the Academy content and the CPRS Strategic CARD Framework. Attendees were split into diverse groups of about seven people, each with a facilitator from Project Unity guiding the experience.

Everyone received a question about equity, race relations, allyship, inclusion, and more. Participants practiced listening, communicating, and being vulnerable while staying productive and respectful. The energy shift after the luncheon was significant—it felt like the group was truly connecting and cultivating belonging. At the end of the luncheon, attendees were asked what gave them hope; some responses are pictured.

Here are some insights from JEDI Academy attendees:

"The JEDI academy allows us to have educated conversations surrounding difficult topics. After attending, I'm now moreconfident in making decisions regarding these sensitive issues."

"Empowering. Poignant. Inspirational. That's how I would describe the 2024 JEDI Academy. From the sessions, there were a wide variety of experiences and it was nice to hear the perspectives of other like-minded people. And though we did not all have the same point of view or agree on everything, together we were able to navigate the critical process of discovery and consider strategies for making impacts in our communities. All-in-all, the JEDI Counsel planned and executed an impactful, well-thought-out, insightful, and transformational academy."

"There were plenty of "ah-ha" moments but I'll round it down to the small intimate table talks. I think that was my favorite part of the event. A judgment-free zone where we got to speak and listen."

"I now realize how "systemic" discrimination is. It's not just a few bad actors. It's built into the system."

"Just because programs are full doesn't mean that we are meeting the needs of the community."

"Equity creates the path between hope and change."