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Unearthing OURPast Through Community Engagement

Community means different things to different people. Knowing how to search for, interact with, and engage community, however you define it, is a skill that takes time and patience. For me, community has meant two things (so far): Education and Inclusion.
Education
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The whole reason I do what I do and love what I do is because I get to share the amazing stories that I've learned. Even if I only reach one person, they may pass that story along like a game of telephone.
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2018    Guest Lecturer, The Mary Washington University.

2017    Shedding Light on White Privilege through Archaeology: The Yarrow                Mamout Archaeology Project. Anacostia Community Museum.                          Washington, D.C.

2016    National Portrait Gallery Yarrow Mamout. Washington Post.   

2016    Guest Speaker, Farewell Yarrow! Georgetown Public Library.

2016    Engaging Political Action through Public Archaeology: Exploring the                  Legacy of African Muslims in 19th Century D.C. Jefferson Patterson                  Park and Museum Speaker Series. St Leonard, Maryland.

2016    Interview with Aramco World, with Arthur Clark.

2016    Interview with Creative Exchange and the Knight Foundation, by                      Nicole Rupersburg.

            http://www.springboardexchange.org/people/miacarey.aspx

2016    Fox 5 DC http://www.fox5dc.com/good-day/67933148-story

2015    The Search for Yarrow Mamout. Dumbarton House, Washington, D.C.

2015    The Georgetowner

            http://www.georgetowner.com/articles/2015/jul/16/archaeology-                day-july-18-dig-yarrow-mamout-site/

2015    Washington Post http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/social-                      issues/as-dig-continues-islamic-service-honors-freed-slave-in-                              georgetown/2015/08/14/43d9d37e-42d0-11e5-8ab4-                                c73967a143d3_story.html

2015    Washington Post                                                                                           http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/what-lies- beneath-                   searching-for-the-bones-of-yarrow-mamout-a-turn-of-the-19th-century-                   georgetown-celebrity/2015/07/23/22517f0e-2fe8-11e5-                             8f36-18d1d501920d_story.html?hpid=z13

2015    Georgetown Current                                                                                    http://www.currentnewspapers.com/admin/uploadfiles/GT%2007-                22-2015.pdf[currentnewspapers.com

2015   Georgetown Current                                                                                   http://www.currentnewspapers.com/admin/uploadfiles/GT%2009-                 02-15.pdf[currentnewspapers.com

2015    WAMU 88.5 with Rebecca Sheir.

  http://wamu.org/programs/metro_connection/15/07/24/who_was_yarrow_mamout_dc_archaeologists_uncover_tale_of_prominent_former_slave

Inclusion
Inclusion means just that INCLUSION! Engaging with the community means including them in your research plans, your project, etc. You cannot profess to help someone if you don't know what they need, especially if you've never asked them. As the Acting Civil War to Civil Rights National Coordinator I hosted weekly conversations with NPS employees distributed across the nation and various career fields. Here are some sample topics:
  • What's the Mission
  • Civic Engagement and the Park's Mission
  • Self-Care
  • Hidden Bias
  • Choosing Your Words Wisely
  • Interpretation and Discomfort
  • Jimmy Hoffa and the Legacy of Labor
  • What Does Diversity Really Mean?
The true benefit of these topics and discussions was creating a safe space for people to discuss their views, opinions, and challenges, without judgement or punishment. It presents a learning opportunity for many and way to share ideas.
What I Do I for You?

Communications

  • Proficiency Level: Expert, Written and Oral Communications

    • Ability to apply appropriate communication techniques and learning strategies in a wide variety of informal learning programs; visitor services, and digital media

    • Ability to communicate clearly and efficiently professionals in varied career fields and across federal, state, and local agencies

    • Internal Communications Training, November 2017 (invited)

Community Outreach & Engagement

  • Ability to increase awareness of untold stories, multiple perspectives, new points of view, and society’s evolving challenges

    • Experience developing and implementing plans for interpretation and informal learning programs, such as guided tours and public talks

    • Ability to produce written materials to publicize and promote cultural resource and historic preservation information

  • Ability to enhance public understanding and appreciation for the nation’s cultural and natural heritage and resources

Leadership

  • Leading a community of practice (COP) with members distributed nationwide, across varied career fields, and varied directorates (Cultural Resources , Interpretation and Education, and Relevancy, Diversity, and Inclusion (RDI)

  • Managed professional and volunteer archaeologists during the 2015 Yarrow Mamout Archaeology Project

  • Ability to work cooperatively on a team with other professionals; developing a maintaining peer relationships with education institutions, researchers, and subject matter experts; establishing and maintaining effective working relationships

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