Prism is an ERG focusing on insuring equity and inclusion for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ+) County employees and providing a place for LGBTQ+ employees to support each other’s professional growth. Prism members come from many different backgrounds and work at all levels and all departments throughout the County. Participation with Prism is open to all and Prism welcomes everyone to get involved.
For dates and locations of meetings get on the Prism list-serv or go to the Office of Diversity and Equity Events Calendar on the Multco Commons. Information on events, elections, etc. is on the Prism page on the Commons.
Membership is open to any Multnomah County employee.
All Multnomah County employees are entitled to use 6 hours per month of work time interacting with ERGs that they are signed up with. Executive Committee members are entitled to use 8 hours per month, and Co-chairs are entitled to 12 hours per month of work time on ERG business/activities. There are some limited exceptions. You can join by going to this website: https://commons.multco.us/office-diversity-and-equity/form/multnomah-cou....
If you have any questions about these rules or joining an ERG, please, contact the Office of Diversity and Equity.
Contact
Prism Executive Committee
Co-chair
Dana-Rae Parker
Pronouns: they/them
Youth and Family Services Division
Contract Liaison
My passion for social justice and nurturing a beloved community has followed me from my upbringing on the Mississippi Gulf Coast to the Pacific NW. I have been with Multnomah County since 2012, working first in Intellectual / Developmental Disability Services, then Aging, Disability and Veteran Services and now in Youth and Family Services as a Contract Liaison.
I enjoy being a Co-Chair of Prism and getting to know the diversity of LGTBQ+ folks who work in various capacities throughout the county. Prism feels like an opportunity to extend my chosen family even more and be in a healing space with fellow queers! I look forward to getting to know more people and continuing to work together to facilitate system changes, and voice our needs and dreams for our workplace and larger community.
“We have all known the long loneliness and we have learned that the only solution is love and that love comes with community.” - Dorothy Day
Co-Chair
Becky Wright
Pronouns: she/her
Health Department
Program Specialist
I have been a part of the Tobacco Control & Prevention program in the Health Department since 2011, where I am currently the team lead and self-identified data geek. What I am most passionate about in my job is finding the ways we can identify and involve the communities most impacted by tobacco. I am excited to be a part of the Prism leadership team to build relationships with all of you, and to help move forward our work of dismantling white supremacy. When I am not hanging around the health department or Prism, I am most likely with my teenage kids, hanging on a trapeze or spoiling my three kitties!
Treasurer
Mark Kille
Pronouns: he/him/his
Department of County Human Services - Human Resources
Racial Justice Coordinator
Akilah Powell
Pronouns: they/them
Health Department
Patient Navigator - HIV Health Services Center
Scribe Extraordinaire
Bridget Neilson
Pronouns: they/them/theirs
Health Department
Community Health Specialist
Communications
Emily Gardner
Pronouns: she/her
Department of County Human Services - Youth & Family Services Division
Data Technician