The Colviva Dance Group performed to Colombian music at the Caltrans Diversity and Disability Awareness Day event at Headquarters TransLab on Oct. 25. Photo by Headquarters
By Erin Gallup von Tersch
Caltrans Public Information Officer
Flags from every nation stood in orange traffic cones circling a stage that featured entertainers as they sang, demonstrated Tai Chi, or performed native dances from Pakistan, India, Korea, Columbia, Scotland and more at a Caltrans Diversity and Disability Awareness event outside the Headquarters TransLab on Oct. 25.
A string of educational booths lined the parking lot, offering historical artifacts, food and personal stories from employees’ different cultural backgrounds.
“I spent countless summers fishing at the mouth of the Klamath River near Wehlkwew, my family’s village,” said Yurok Native American Tennille Haberman as passerbys sampled her traditionally-caught smoked salmon.“I truly enjoy events like this that celebrate differences and commonalities. We have so much to learn from one another. I believe sharing our cultural experiences and identities raise awareness and help to reduce race tensions or fears so that we can live and work together as one community.”
Haberman, Caltrans’ Traffic Data Branch Chief, displayed Yurok artifacts and a sketch of her great-great grandmother, Elsie Gray McCovey, a Yurok healer, who is featured on the “Cry of the Yurok” documentary cover.
Transportation Engineer Danny Uppal displayed photographs, oil paintings and sketches of Caltrans employees from all different nationalities. He included Director Malcolm Dougherty, Chief Deputy Director Kome Ajise, Planning and Modal Programs Deputy Director Coco Briseno and more.
Across the way was Civil Engineer Dave Changizi at the Iranian booth, featuring instruments, cookware, pastries and photos of ancient Iranian roadways.
Caltrans Staff Services Manager Tennille Haberman educated Caltrans employees about her Yurok Native American heritage at the Headquarters Diversity and Disability Awareness Day on Oct. 25.
Photo by Headquarters
“I think it’s wonderful that we are getting together to acknowledge our different backgrounds and accept each person for who they are,” Changizi said. “This enhances our quality of work.”
The diverse array of booths included representation from many cultures, and there was also a California Department of Rehabilitation and Society for the Blind booth, which offered resources and demonstrations of tools, like talking clocks, that help the blind complete daily tasks with little or no assistance.
Matt Sedlak, from the Equal Employment Opportunity Program, said his office organized the event, but that it wouldn’t be possible without employees giving up their time and resources to share their cultures and talents with others.
He said Caltrans Diversity and Disability awareness events, held in Headquarters and in each of the districts, increase awareness, support, and appreciation as employees share and learn about Caltrans cultural uniqueness. This promotes mutual respect and reaffirms the Caltrans Equal Employment Opportunity policy in an interactive way.
Office Technician Ellen Chamberlain is fairly new to Caltrans and hadn’t yet experienced a Caltrans Diversity and Disability Awareness Day event – until now. She donned a Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) style face painting that she got from the Hispanic booth as she watched the different cultural performances and enjoyed the festivities.
“I didn’t feel like coming this morning, but a coworker asked me to come,” said Chamberlain. “I’m glad that I did because it’s super fun.”