IAP2 Cascade Presents: 2020 Hits and Misses with our Equity and Inclusion Efforts in Community Participation

Despite many of our best efforts, 2020 pointed out to us all the distance we still must travel to make our practices more inclusive and equitable.  Join the Cascade Chapter and three featured Portland region government leaders for a discussion about what we are doing well and where we must improve with our community engagement equity efforts.

About our presenters:

Mingus Mapps is one of three newly elected commissioners for the City of Portland.  He believes the City of Portland is only as effective as those who govern it and feels the current City Council is as prepared as it has been in a generation and can address the issues of this historic time.  He says that while Portland has an incredible foundation, we need to work to be more inclusive and equitable. The economic gains for some, he says, have laid bare systemic inequities that have led to historic houselessness, lack of affordable housing, and stagnating working-class income. With these daunting challenges along with the pandemic and public safety issues to address, Commissioner Mapps is committed to active listening and being responsive. Commissioner Mapps has a degree in political science from Reed College and can count Gladys McCoy’s and Beverly Stein as his mentors.

Born in India, Sushmita Poddar moved to Oregon two decades ago. A civic leader deeply passionate about equity and inclusion in action, Sushmita is an artist, educator, choreographer, designer, stylist, curator, henna artist, performer, entrepreneur, small business owner, cultural arts practitioner, and cultural event coordinator. Sushmita feels that our community’s people and voices are not being seen, heard, or represented. Her experience during the COVID-19 pandemic as a small business owner and civic leader has been introspective and reflective. As she sees it, equity without dignity is NOT equity. As a guiding principal, she feels we can only ensure dignity when we serve humanity truly, equitably, honestly and wholly and are humane in our behavior and policy. She currently serves as the Washington County Land Use & Transportation Planning Commissioner.

(Irma) Linda Castillo is a bilingual, bicultural first-generation Latina. She is the eldest daughter of farm workers, first in her family to graduate from high school, attend college, and complete graduate school with a master’s degree in clinical psychology. She is blessed to be the mother of identical twin daughters. 

As a consultant and government staffer, she has provided direct service to communities of color, program & project management, technical assistance & facilitation of DEI work, organizational assessments, and change management training.  Six year ago, Governor Brown appointed her to the Oregon Commission for Hispanic Affairs to advocate for Latinos in the State of Oregon. She currently serves in the volunteer capacity of Chair on the Commission and works collaboratively with the three other State Commissions. In 2019, she was the recipient of the Urban Pioneer Award for Public Service from the Center for Urban and Public Affairs at Portland State University.