Topic: “Implicit Bias, What Do We Need to Know?”
Description: As human being bias permeates our daily lives and impacts the discretionary elements of our decision making. This interactive workshop will assist participants to better appreciate what bias is and how it works in the human brain. The session content will also explore bias triggers and bias mitigation strategies including and individual self-reflective scan. The workshop will culminate with an integrated group case study and a rapid exposure to Micro-Aggressions. We operate on the notion that bias is learned therefore it can be unlearned.
Bio:
David Mitchell is a retired 35-year Ontario public servant who spent his career in the Justice Policy and Public Safety circle. Prior to being promoted to Assistant Deputy Minister for the Youth Justice Division within the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services (MCCSS) in 2016, he was the Regional Director of Probation Services in the Ministry of the Solicitor General central region. During his service with the Ministry of the Solicitor General where he started as a uniformed Correctional Officer, he has held progressively responsible management roles in several correctional institutions including Superintendent, Probation and Parole Manager, and the founding head of the Ontario Correctional Intelligence Unit.
Throughout his career and as a volunteer, David has demonstrated leadership while working on youth and community issues. He was a founding member of the Association of Black Law Enforcers (A.B.L.E.) and served as the President for ten years. Under City of Toronto Mayor David Miller, he was appointed as the first Chair of Toronto Community Housing who was a former resident. He has played a leading role in bringing together community stakeholders, including the BBPA and police leaders to identify opportunities to prevent young people from engaging in gun violence and providing them with community programs and job training. Presently David is concurrently the co-chair of the Durham Regional Police Service Diversity Advisory Committee and the Senior Director of Operations for the Youth Association for Academics, Athletics, and Character Education (YAAACE).
