Equity Series LIVE Town Hall- Get Involved!

In this engaging panel discussion, we bring together experts in the areas of speech and language sciences, education, neurodiversity-affirming care, literacy, AAC and diagnostics to spark meaningful dialogue, share best practices, and cultivate a deeper understanding of how to create equitable environments in various settings. Whether you're an educator shaping young minds, a clinician supporting individuals' communication needs, a parent navigating systems for your child, or an administrator driving systemic change, your perspective and expertise are invaluable to this conversation. Throughout this course, our esteemed panelists will shed light on research and practices that lead to inequities in our fields. They will also provide strategies to dismantle barriers and necessary tools to advocate for inclusive spaces and enhanced communication practices.

Explore Course

Presenters

Shontaye Glover Jones
MS CCC-SLP
Shontaye is a children's book author, pediatric SLP, content creator, and professional speaker. In 2016, she founded her private practice Having Our Say, LLC to create a space where families and children would feel seen, valued, and be heard. Shontaye works with organizations and school districts around the country with a focus on literacy and creating equitable spaces for all students. Written under the pen name "Taye Jones," her debut picture book, "Liam's First Cut" (2020) is a story that centers family and neurodiversity as Liam, an autistic Black boy, prepares for his first trip to the barbershop. Her second book The Season of Yes! (2023) is a love letter to her favorite time of year, summer, and spending quality time with her mom during the season of endless opportunities for fun!
Kyle Greene-Pendelton
M.S CCC-SLP
Kyle Greene-Pendelton is a speech-language pathologist who works full-time in an inner city public school setting in Connecticut. Kyle is also a part-time instructor at North Carolina A&T State University, and previously worked at Southern Connecticut State University as a part-time clinical instructor and adjunct professor. Additionally, Kyle launched his private practice, Sankofa Speech & Language Services, LLC, in 2020. Kyle is a charter member of the Northeast affiliate of the National Black Association for Speech-Language and Hearing (NBASLH), currently serving as Vice-Chair of the board of directors. Kyle is also a co-founder of the Northeast Alliance for Speech, Language and Hearing, a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization. Kyle is the CEO and founder of All of Us United (AOU), a social advocacy non-profit organization. Kyle has been conducting programs to bridge gaps in education since 2014 on the continent of Africa, most recently establishing a community-empowerment program for families of autistic children in Tanzania. Kyle previously participated in ASHA’s Minority Student Leadership Program (MSLP [c/o 2007]). He holds a Master of Science degree in Communication Disorders from Southern Connecticut State University, is an alumnus of North Carolina A&T State University, and is currently pursuing a doctorate of education at Johns Hopkins University. Kyle currently resides in Connecticut and is the father of eight-year-old neurodivergent twin boys and a two-year-old daughter.
Amanda Hitchins
M.S CCC-SLP
Amanda Hitchins, MS, CCC-SLP is a graduate of the MGH Institute of Health Professions and has spent the last 12 years working as a pediatric generalist in outpatient rehabilitation and school settings in greater Boston, rural Minnesota, and the Ituri Province of the Democratic Republic of Congo. In addition to her clinical work experience, Amanda has been a caregiver and advocate for both of her parents after they were each diagnosed with a different form of dementia 4 years apart. She currently lives in Rosemount Minnesota with her husband and two school-age children, but can frequently be found working or occasionally relaxing in much warmer climates.
Ana-Maria Jaramillo
SLPD, CCC-SLP
Ana-Maria Jaramillo (pronouns: she/her/ella) is a bilingual pediatric SLP and the owner/founder of Voz Speech Therapy, the only fully bilingual private practice in the DMV. When she isn’t treating patients or teaching, Dr. Jaramillo is actively speaking at local high schools and offering webinars on ways to diversify and combat racism in the field of SLP with her organization, DiverCity SLP.
Dolly Jenkins
Ed.D.
Dr. Dolly Jenkins is an elementary literacy specialist with over a decade of teaching experience. She earned her masters from Harvard Graduate School of Education in language and literacy and a doctorate of Education from Teachers College Columbia University with a focus in elementary literacy education. Dolly’s research focuses on the nexus of neoliberal education reform, teachers as autonomous professionals, social media as a site of professional learning and inclusive literacy education. On social media, Jenkins advocates and educates for gender inclusive language and practices as well as size and gender inclusive fashion, rooted by the belief that queer and trans youth and the larger LGBTQ+ community ought to have safer spaces where they can not just survive but thrive.
Hanna Stroud
Hanna Stroud is a Literacy Tutor and Consultant living in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Since 2008, Hanna has provided in-person and online tutoring sessions to students from Kindergarten to Grade 6. Before being a tutor, Hanna worked for the local school board as a Literacy Assistant for 15 years. Following a structured literacy approach, Hanna uses multisensory activities to engage and motivate students in their literacy journey. Along with tutoring services, Hanna also provides workshops and webinars about various literacy topics. As a National Trainer for Reading With TLC for the past decade, Hanna has presented to schools and individuals throughout Canada and the US and shares their passion for the Science of Reading. You can follow Hanna on Instagram where they share daily structured literacy tips, multisensory activities, and the best children's picture book reviews.
Karina Saechao
M.A., CCC-SLP, ATACP
Karina Saechao, M.A., CCC-SLP is an SLP, licensed in CA and KS. She holds a certificate as an assistive technology specialist and is a Ph.D. student at the University of Kansas. Karina’s research interests are in African American English, child language, AAC. Karina is the Founder & CEO of Golden Oak Speech Therapy, and specializes in AAC, AT, language, literacy, and caregiver & educator coaching.
Ruchi Kapila
M.S., CCC-SLP
Ruchi Kapila, MS, CCC-SLP, NCVS trained vocologist (they/she) is owner of Kapila Voice and Speech Services on unceded Muwekma Ohlone territory (see https://www.muwekma.org/)in Hayward, CA, providing voice and communication services with a gender-inclusive lens as a speech-language pathologist and singing voice specialist. Mx. Kapila also teaches singing voice in their private studio. They frequently present, publish, and educate nationally on gender-affirming voice care and intersectional cultural responsiveness within the SLP field. She also serves as a founding member of Trans Voice Initiative, board member for the newly-formed Disability Caucus, and officer and parliamentarian for L’GASP (LGBTQ+ Caucus of ASHA). In addition, they serve as a lecturer at Cal State University - East Bay Speech, Language, and Hearing Science (SLHS) department and work in home health settings with adults following an extensive acute rehabilitation and acute care hospital background.

Learning Objectives

List demographics and barriers to equitable access to care and education
Identify disparities found across the referral, assessment, and intervention/ education processes
Describe actionable steps individuals can take to integrate client-centered, affirming, and culturally responsive care into evidence-based practice

Agenda

20 minutes	Introductions
20 minutes	Discuss inequities and unconscious bias that exists in educational and healthcare systems as it relates to client and student care
30 minutes	Share best practices and approaches to cultivate a deeper understanding of cultural humility in an effort to create equitable spaces
20 minutes	Q&A/ open discussion

Disclosures

Speakers - Financial	Hanna, Ruchi, Kyle, Dolly, Amanda, Karina and Ana-Maria are receiving compensation for their participation in this course. Shontaye is the owner and founder of Having Our Say and is a co-sponsor of The Equity Series. She is receiving compensation as an event co-sponsor.
Speakers - Nonfinancial	Shontaye, Hanna, Karina, Ruchi, Kyle, Dolly, Amanda, and Ana-Maria have no non-financial relationships to disclose.
Course - Content	Shontaye, Hanna, Ruchi, Kyle, Karina, Dolly, Amanda, and Ana-Maria have no additional content information to disclose.
Course - Financial Support & In Kind	This course is being sponsored by SLP Toolkit and Having Our Say.

ASHA

This course is offered for 0.15 ASHA CEUs, Introductory Level, Professional Area

To earn ASHA CEUs you must complete the courses by viewing them, provide course feedback, pass the exams with a score of 80 or more, provide your ASHA credentials, and confirm submission.

Equity Series LIVE Town Hall- Get Involved!: $25.00
This panel discussion unites experts across fields to explore equity in communication and education. Learn about the causes of inequities and gain practical strategies to break down barriers, advocate for inclusion, and enhance communication practices. Includes access to the recorded course and optional ASHA reporting.