New book published 2023. D.I.V.E.R.S.I.T.Y.: A guide to working with Diversity and developing Cultural Sensitivity. London, Jessica Kingsley Publishers.
As part of my birthday treat to myself, I decided to have a photoshoot for my new book! I felt that this would give my readers a flavour of who I am, to see my personality as an author. Etc.
What was my motivating factor as a social worker to write this book: D.I.V.E.R.S.I.T.Y.: A guide to working with Diversity and developing Cultural Sensitivity?
The murder in broad daylight of an unarmed Black man in the United States, George Floyd, in May 2020, stirred me to put all aside to complete this book. I decided to use my inspiring Acrostic poem to help readers reflect on how to work sensitively with difference.
D.I.V.E.R.S.I.T.Y. is designed as an educational resource written for individuals and professionals who are seeking knowledge on how to work effectively with diversity and become culturally competent.
It is intended to be an accessible and easy-to-use practice tool for social workers, health care staff, teachers, counsellors, university lecturers and all those involved in people-facing professions. It is a simple idea which can be adapted to many different settings.
✅ It helps to create a reflective discourse which can be used with clients, young or old.
✅ It can be used individually for your own practice, to encourage discourse within teams or groups, or with clients.
✅ It can be used to support students in secondary, college and university education.
✅ Other readers might include public servants who directly engage with the individuals and communities and who need to communicate with understanding and empathy.
I feel proud to have played a part in the critical discourse around promoting Diversity and Inclusion, Anti-Racist practice, Social Justice, and Social Change in our society.
The picture shows Author Vivian Okeze – Tirado happily holding her newly republished book D.I.V.E.R.S.I.T.Y. for public view.
Photo by Alexander White Photography, West Sussex.
Available to be purchased:
https://www.hachette.co.uk/titles/vivian-okeze-tirado/d-i-v-e-r-s-i-t-y/9781839976315
I hope you find this book helpful…
What is Resilience?
We often bandy with the word resilience, but when it comes to doing resilience, it may not be as easy, quite a different ball game altogether.
A colleague asked me recently how I stay resilient in my busy personal and work life. Here is my answer:
You must always look at life through a positive lens, no matter what it throws at you. You need to look around and see your small advantages and blessings, although it may not seem as rosy or in the league you want it to be fundamentally. There is always something good to hold on to. So, when the not-so-positive things surface, you need to look beyond and fix your eyes on the many wonderful things you have achieved, whether seen or unseen, spoken or unspoken and the many more opportunities ahead of you to achieve more. Everyone has their God assigned destiny to fulfil. The World may be waiting to hear from you! It is important to remain strong and resistant, to withstand whatever the world throws at you if you are to achieve bigger and greater things. No one said it was going to be easy!
What are you trying to cope with? What are you telling yourself? Are you reframing your mind and speaking positive affirmative words? I hope so!
Good luck!