Episode 28, Brittany and Michelle

The McKinney Center announces the release of the latest Conversations That Matter on the McKinney Center’s YouTube channel and as a podcast, CTM the Podcast. This episode features our very own moderators, Michelle Treece and Brittany Butler. This conversation took place on July 14, and was moderated by Community Program Specialist, Skye McFarland. This recorded event will be released on July 21, to see it, go to YouTube.com and search for McKinney Center or use any podcast app and search CTM the Podcast or visit https://mckinneycenter.com/con....versations-that-matt . Michelle Treece is a retired high school biology teacher from Johnson City, TN. She is currently a member of the McKinney Center Advisory Council and it's DEI subcommittee; Langston Education Arts Development advisory council; the Children's Advocacy Center for the 1st District of Tennessee advisory board; a member of the NAACP Washington County TN Branch and a former member of the Johnson City School Board. Although she dearly loves retirement, she is currently employed part-time as an adjunct faculty at East Tennessee State University. She is a field supervisor for high school teacher candidates during their residency. She has two teenage boys and their dog, Bailey. A Gray, TN resident, originally from New Orleans, LA, Brittany Butler is married, has 3 kids, ages 12, 9, and 7. Brittany works at ETSU in the Department of Chemistry as a lecturer. She is the past president of the junior league of Johnson City and has served as the organization’s chair of their first ever Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion task force. She is also an active member of Holston Valley Unitarian Universalist Church in Gray.Supported by a grant from the East Tennessee Foundation, “Conversations that Matter” is a monthly series produced by the McKinney Center in Jonesborough, Tennessee. In each “Conversation” two local guests from different backgrounds (age, race, religion, culture, etc.) explore their own culture and perspective, and talk to each other about what makes them unique, discover their similarities, and explore their differences. They will look at where their lives might intersect personally and in the community. The goal of each “Conversation that Matters” is for guests and participants to hear real stories, from real neighbors. This monthly series is inspired by the Diversity & Equity Subcommittee at the McKinney Center, and their desire to highlight the experiences of all voices in Washington County, Tennessee, with an intention to include marginalized groups. By showcasing these conversations, the Diversity & Equity subcommittee hopes to open doors to new ideas and perspectives amongst our very own neighbors. Questions such as, “What was your experience in grade-school and how did that make you feel?” or, “Have you experienced exclusion or racism?” For many of us the answers are different and unique. The McKinney Center believes it is time to talk about our experiences and share them. There is value in uplifting these stories so that we may learn from one another. Then, after hearing from one another our moderators and guest conversationalists will give insight on how to move forward.