OLA Virtual Conference 2021: Equity, Diversity, Inclusion

Welcome to the OLA Virtual Conference 2021! The Oregon Library Association is offering virtually four days of presentations and workshops on the important theme of Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion (EDI).

General Information

Dates: April 20 – April 23, 2021

Location: Virtual

In order to access this conference site you have to have downloaded the Whova Web Platform for Desktop/Laptop or the Whova app. for mobile devices (both can be downloaded on as many devices as you can access to).

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OLA Charitable Fund 2021

Donate to the OLA Charitable Fundraising 2021. More information available soon.

Conference Highlights

Keynote Speaker presentation: Tuesday, April 20, 9:30 a.m.- 10:30 a.m.

Paul Lumley is the Executive Director for the Native American Youth and Family Center (NAYA) and is a citizen of the Yakama Nation. He came to NAYA in 2016 after being the Executive Director of the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission (CRITFC) since 2009. Mr. Lumley served as Executive Director of the National American Indian Housing Council in Washington DC from 2007 to 2009. While also in DC, Paul Lumley served as the Senior Tribal Liaison for the U.S. Department of Defense from 2004-2007. From 1987 to 2004, Mr. Lumley served under several capacities at CRITFC.

Mr. Lumley has a wide-ranging background on issues that directly impact American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians. Mr. Lumley has worked directly with tribal governments, tribal consortia, virtually all federal agencies impacting Indian country, and Native American national and regional organizations throughout his professional career. Experience areas include tribal treaty rights, environmental protection and restoration, housing, defense, education and social services. Mr. Lumley has a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics from Western Washington University in 1986. His full legal name is Babtist Paul Lumley III.

Click here for >>> OLA Land Acknowledgement (PNG) , OLA Land Acknowledgement (PDF)

To learn more about NAYA, please visit: https://nayapdx.org

Sonja Ervin

Keynote Speaker presentation: Wednesday, April 21, 9:30 a.m.-10:30 a.m.

Sonja Ervin, Multnomah County Library’s first-ever equity and inclusion manager will speak at the 2021 OLA Conference. She leads efforts to ensure library services, programs, staffing, materials, and spaces are equitable, inclusive, and culturally responsive. Her work involves leading staff in thoughtful discussions about equity and inclusion and outlining actionable steps to improve the library’s efforts both internally and for the community. She provides support and holds space for library staff who face experiences of racism and oppression. She is also the executive sponsor for the Black Cultural Library Advocate team.

Her vision for public libraries is that every person, regardless of who they are, where they come from, or their current or past experiences and circumstances, feel connected and a sense of community as they walk through the library doors.

Keynote Speaker presentation: Thursday, April 22, 9:30 a.m.- 10:30 a.m.

Author, David F. Walker is an award-winning comic book writer, filmmaker, journalist, and educator. His writing career started in the 1990s with the self-published ‘zine, BadAzz MoFo. In 1997 he produced and directed Macked, Hammered, Slaughtered, and Shafted, a feature-length documentary on the history of blaxploitation films.

Walker is best known for his work in graphic novels and comics, which includes The Life of Frederick Douglass (Ten Speed Press), the Eisner Award-nominated series Bitter Root (Image Comics), and the critically acclaimed series Naomi (DC Comics). He has written for Marvel Comics (Luke Cage, Occupy Avengers, Power Man and Iron Fist, Nighthawk, Fury, Deadpool), DC Comics (Cyborg, Young Justice), Dynamite Entertainment (Shaft), and Dark Horse (Number 13). He also teaches part-time at Portland State University.

Keynote Speaker Presentation: Friday, April 23, 9:30 a.m.- 10:30 a.m.

Victoria Lara “I connect, create, and inspire two worlds with a meaningful message”

Victoria is the founder and CEO of Lara Media. She has more than 20 years of experience in developing engagement and communication, strategic plans, and campaigns. She is recognized as a passionate advocate for underrepresented communities such as communities of color, women, immigrants, refugees, among others. Victoria’s expertise in establishing partnerships with leaders across sectors, connecting resources, and ensuring future generations have access to a more prosperous society has influenced change.

Victoria is an effective leader, influential strategist, and public involvement facilitator who is known for her ability to listen, respond and develop proven and efficient strategies and results. Victoria seeks to eliminate racial inequities through her work, having designed culturally responsive marketing research methods tailored to her client’s target audiences. She has created communication and equity policies, campaigns, and programs through research and engagement strategies.

She was recognized for her accomplishments by Oregon Governor, Kate Brown, for outstanding Latino Woman Business in Oregon. In 2018 received the Bravo Award by the HMCC and Women of Distinction award by Girls Scouts of Oregon and SW Washington, 2017 PSU’s Business Program recognized her with the Community Impact Award. 2020 Aguila Award by Latino Network. Moreover, awarded by the Center of Women’s Leadership for her service in civic and business. The Mexican Embassy gave her the Outstanding Mexican’s recognition award in 2016 as “Mexicanos Extraordinarios.” The Small Business Administration named her the Champion of Small Business in 2014.

Full bio for Victoria Lara can be seen in the Whova OLA Conference 2021 virtual app.

Authors’ Night!

Wednesday, April 21, from 7- 8 pm.

Authors in their Own Words: Getting to Know Oregon’s Fonda Lee and Kim Johnson

Hear it straight from the authors themselves! Two award-winning authors, Fonda Lee and Kim Johnson will be here to share their stories with OLA Conference attendees. No ominous ice breakers here! Moderator Sarah Thompson will make sure of it. Just good fun, a glimpse into the writers’ lives, and a chance to win some Library swag from OLA. Five random attendees at this event will win prizes from the OLA Conference. 

This event and prizes offered during the event generously sponsored by OLA Public Library Division. 

This conference was made possible in part by the Institute of Museum of Library Services

OLA Daily Scavenger Hunts, Daily Prizes, Trivia, and More!

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OLA Daily Scavenger Hunt Form

Daily Scavenger Hunts opens at 8 am and closes at 8 pm.