In our fourth episode, we are speaking with Marla Stripling and Tony Bryan about the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Council, or DEIB. Stripling has served as the Director of the Office for Civil Rights since 2019, and Bryan is a 27-year OKDHS veteran who has been the Inspector General since 2011. 

The DEIB Council was formed in 2020 to ensure the agency’s work includes all voices that may be underrepresented. Council members were chosen through a survey process that removed all identifying information pertaining to gender, race and ethnicity. The chosen members represent an array of different job positions, geographic locations, program areas and demographic characteristics. As part of their work, the council seeks to provide DEIB training for all staff to create and provide a safe space where all people are welcome to discuss concerns, criticisms and experiences; offer equity support to determine where inequities and systemic biases may exist in each division and create a communications strategy to engage all staff and partners to assist in the creation and implementation of processes that are equitable and inclusive to all communities.  

We hope you’ll continue to join us on this podcast where we’ll explore topics that affect and uplift Oklahomans. Don't forget to like this episode and subscribe, so you'll know when each new episode drops! To learn more about the work of the DEIB Council, or raise your hand to suggest ways we can work together with our communities to be more inclusive, visit ourOKDHS.org.