WEBINAR

Commitment and Accountability

Creating lasting systems of belonging requires commitment, ongoing learning, and accountability. This webinar equips leaders with strategies to foster inclusive environments that empower all team members, particularly Black and Brown leaders, to thrive and advance. Participants will learn how to set long-term goals, create accountability systems, and address mistakes with humility and action. Additionally, this session will provide resources for continued education and tools to sustain progress through peer collaboration and regular reflection.

This one and a half hour webinar is the sixth in our Creating a Culture of Belonging Webinar Series.

Moderator: Michelle Hamiel

Chief of Programs, Urban Libraries Council

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Michelle strengthens the urban library role in local ecosystems and advances partnerships and programs resulting in systemic change. She is known and respected throughout public libraries for her leadership to diversify the profession, to serve marginalized communities and to increase racial and social equity. Prior to joining ULC, Michelle served as Prince George's County Memorial Library System's chief operating officer and led the mission, vision, innovation and operations of the library's 19 branches and the county detention center.

Tamara King

Chief Equity and Engagement Officer, Richland Library

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Tamara King is the Chief Equity and Engagement Officer for Richland Library. In her role, she is tasked with the development and support of the library’s equity, diversity and inclusion initiatives, programs and partnerships. In addition to her role, Tamara also supports the library’s award-winning Let’s Talk Race Team. To date, the team has held discussions surrounding race, women’s rights and social justice for more than 4,000 participants.

Tamara also has two decades of experience in broadcast television, public relations, strategic communications and media and crisis communication training. Tamara currently serves as a Director-at-Large on the national Public Library Association Board. She is a 2024 Riley Fellow of the Diversity Leadership Initiative at Furman University. Tamara was also selected by the Post and Courier Newspaper in 2023 as one of the top 12 Black Leaders to Know in South Carolina. Additionally, she is a nationally and locally recognized award-winning public relations professional and was recognized as a 2019 Library Journal Mover and Shaker for her role in Richland Library’s race, equity and social awareness work.

Carmaleta McKinnis-Williams

I.D.E.A.L. Office, ELT, Austin Public Library

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Carmaleta McKinnis-Williams is a 21st Century J.E.D.I. Strategist/Consultant, Civil Servant, Advocate, Community Organizer, Activist, Racial Healing, and Restorative Circle Keeper. Carmaleta approaches her assignment as Austin Public Library Office Equity and Inclusion Program Manager from a grassroots perspective. Inviting “ALL” voices: staff, community, abilities, ages, ethnicities, genders, races, and religions to co-create impactful practices, policies, programs and services that embody the “Library for All” creed that is rooted in humanity. Carmaleta aims to model the APL vision to inspire all to discover, learn, and create with its communities in anti-racist, inclusive practices as a 21-century leading organization.