Current Projects and Partners
Deo Mwano Consultancy(DMC) designs services, initiatives, campaigns, programs and products -- for businesses, schools and nonprofits with a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) focus -- that ignite people to engage and connect more authentically and effectively. This leads to a competitive advantage for the services and products that businesses and organizations provide.

Public Health Network of NH, COVID-19 Substance Use Disorder Impact Research

Recently, DMC successfully completed a 3-month research and assessment project for the Granite United Way. In order to reduce health disparities resulting from COVID-19, the project sought to gain a better understanding how Substance Use Disorder (SUD) resources and services were currently being accessed by minority communities and underrepresented groups. Working with the Public Health Network (PHN) of New Hampshire, DMC focused on several regional areas: South Central PHN, Carroll County Coalition for Public Health and the Capital Area PHN.

DMC created communication materials and engagement strategies aimed to maximize participation at the research stage. DMC interacted with different service provider groups to gather reflections and experiences regarding their attempts to engage with or increase awareness of their substance use prevention, treatment and recovery services. DMC also created quantitative surveys to capture as much feedback as possible on minority group awareness and access to SUD services. DMC conducted group interviews virtually with community members to capture anecdotal stories of their experiences during COVID 19. 

CORPORATE DEI STRATEGY AND CONSULTANCY

DMC has been working with Peabody Property Management to help them design and implement a Diversity Equity and Inclusion strategy. The Peabody Companies are a group of award-winning property management real estate firms. 

DMC is also assisting Peabody’s DEI steering committee establish a company Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council. The council, a working group of about a dozen team members, was tasked with:

·   Promoting training and events to bring awareness of diversity and inclusion in the workplace;

·   Engaging co-workers in diversity and inclusion conversation and training;

·   Reviewing and developing policies and procedures that will promote workplace diversity and inclusion;

·Organizing and overseeing specific initiatives or outreach within the communities managed by The Peabody Companies.

New Hampshire Community Loan Fund and NAACP Manchester Partnership

DMC is currently running a research project, in partnership with New Hampshire Community Loan Fund and NAACP Manchester, examining the journey of BIPOC Small business owners. The initiative was part of DMC’s focus on supporting BIPOC business owners during COVID-19. When looking at access to resources -- federal, state and city relief -- the disparity between white small business owners and BIPOC Business owners is substantial. DMC hopes this partnership to design sustainable structures bridges the gap between BIPOC small business owners and banks, business resource centers and city and state agencies.

EDUCATION PARTNERSHIPS

DMC and Raymond School District, NH 

For the past year, DMC has worked with the Raymond School District, focusing on the various capacities of the district to address different issues: social culture compatibility with school policies, student and teacher relationships, student identity within the school and learning engagement.

DMC is currently leading the “ I AM MY OWN CHAMPION” learning engagement training. The training is to help teachers design better relationships with students and help increase student engagement. DMC has been working with a pilot group of high school teachers developing student engagement and success tools. DMC meets with the team regularly to dissect different situations and to provide solutions. The insights from this pilot will guide school-wide training. The focus is to help educators be more intentional in activating their positive intentions and to engage positively with students to increase connections and commitment. The project provides tools for teachers and students that highlight soft-skills like using the best modality for students to acquire knowledge, time management and asking for help. DMC and the pilot team hope these new techniques, tools and strategies for teaching faculties will help transform student engagement.

The Derryfield School Partnership

Deo Mwano was a visiting fellow at The Derryfield School, Manchester, NH. Deo and the DMC team lead a school wide-assembly and breakout groups focusing on civic engagement and social justice. The school trusted Deo to employ his experiences and expertise to provide a unique learning experience to the school community. Deo and his team utilized the Blueprint Project to contextualize the social reality of 2020 and 2021 with racial justice and the impact of COVID-19. DMC worked closely with the faculties to design an informative and evoking experience. The stories and videos, provided through a virtual assembly, resonated with everyone. Teachers and students remarked on how thought-provoking the presentation was. They found both Deo’s personal story and his recommendations on how the teacher-student community could move forward together inspiring. The project was a hit and very impactful.

DMC SOUTHERN NEW HAMPSHIRE MLK PRESENTATION Blueprint Project

The SNHU DEI Committee hosted an event and invited DMC Mwano to lead a presentation and Q & A. The presentation focused on Martin Luther King’s speech, “What is your Life’s Blueprint,” which he made in 1967 in Philadelphia. 150 university employees attended the presentation. The fact that it was virtual didn’t dampen the staff’s enthusiasm. The Q & A lasted for 45 minutes.

Non-Profit Board Consultancy Engagement 

DMC works with Non-profit Boards to help strategize and implement DEI strategies that expand their reach and multiply their collaboration with underrepresented communities. DMC helps organizations unpack their mindsets and perspectives to better tackle their challenges. DMC also helps organizations better understand what they don’t know that they don’t know.

DMC is currently working with Waypoint as their DEI strategist and advisor. Waypoint empowers people of all ages through an array of human services and advocacy with services such as Early Childhood & Family Support, Homelessness Youth & Young Adult Services, Family Preservation & Strengthening, Home Care Senior & Adult with Disabilities and Advocacy. DMC has been working closely with the Waypoint’s DEI committee to engage company-wide through surveying and virtual listening sessions. Deo has been working with the DEI committee to design a holistic and adaptable DEI model that represents everyone.

DEI Board Consultancy Engagement with SOS Recovery and Capital Center of the Arts

DMC worked with the board members and staff to strategize a DEI approach that will expand the organization’s reach, connection and build relationships with diverse communities that are not represented or served and, consequently, do not utilize the organization’s services.