Join us for a conversation with James Beni Wilson, Learning Assistant Coordinator with the MICPA. James was born in the Philippines and adopted by an American family. In 2013, James embarked on a journey to learn about his birth family, Filipino heritage experience, and cultural background. Today, James is very active in metro Detroit’s Asian American community and has given talks on race and identity across the country.
Race is often the first thing that comes to mind when DEI is referenced within organizations, and yet it is regularly avoided as a focal point of discussion. After all, talking about race can be a sensitive topic because, even when intentions are good, it can result in tension, frustration, and conflict. Identifying strategies to facilitate safe conversations about race in the workplace starts with understanding the fundamentals – definitions, terminology, context, etc.
In this session, we will talk with James about his experiences along his journey of discovery. Our goal is to take a deeper look at race and its connection to identity, heritage, ethnicity, and culture. We hope you join the conversation!
Learning Objectives:
- Define the concept and key terminology of race
- Recognize the relationship between race and implicit cultural bias
- Determine how to differentiate between race, ethnicity, culture, and nationality
Jina Etienne, CPA, CGMA
Etienne Consulting
Diversity & Inclusion Consultant, Speaker & Trainer
[email protected]
(301) 778-5510
Jina is a consultant and speaker on diversity, inclusion, culture, and belonging. She creates training programs and workshops to help clients move forward in their D&I journey. She is a storyteller and speaks candidly about her experiences, hard lessons, and ‘aha’ moments that helped her understand the importance of individuality, the value of curiosity, and the courage it takes to “just” be yourself. Often described as “approachable” and “relatable” by her clients, she works with purpose and the intention of being engaging, practical, and immediately applicable to real-world situations. Jina draws from her unique background and mix of work experiences to offer examples and share insights designed to benefit everyone across the workplace ecosystem – executives, management, employees, and customers.
Previously, she was Principal Consultant at EtiennePartners (EP), a boutique consulting firm that offered a unique strategy development, workshops & coaching to leaders, executives and entrepreneurs. Co-founded with her husband, EP was a full-time partnership in both work and life. Although in different professions, their work often intersected around the importance of self-awareness in leadership and navigating conflict within teams. Combining their experiences, backgrounds, and work led to the development of their unique approach to D&I, which she continues to use in her practice today.
James Beni Wilson
MICPA
Learning Assistant Coordinator
[email protected]
(248) 267-3715
James Beni Wilson currently works as the Learning Assistant Coordinator for the Michigan Association of Certified Public Accountants (MICPA). He also is an indie documentary filmmaker from Metro Detroit. His film, BINITAY: Journey of a Filipino Adoptee, tells the story of his journey as a Filipino adoptee in search of his birth story and birth family. His film has been shown at Harvard, Schoolcraft Community College, the Minnesota Transracial Film Festival, the Philippine American Community Center of Michigan, and the Filipino Heritage Camp at Heritage Camps for Adoptive Families. His sequel documentary, Once Upon An Ochia, highlights the post-reunion relationship, sociocultural challenges, and collective narratives of his biological family.
James was born in the village of Mabuli in the municipality of Tabógōn, on the island of Cebu, in the Philippines. He was adopted at the age of three years old. James is a Board Member and Youth Chair Liaison of the Filipino American Community Council of Michigan (FILAMCCO). He also serves as a Board Member of the Philippine-American Community Center of Michigan (PACCM), Secretary of the Michigan Chapter of the Filipino American National Historical Society (FANHSMI). He was a past assistant director of Paaralang Pilipino (Filipino School) at the PACCM where he is also the lead facilitator and teacher for the Filipino Youth Initiative (FYI). He is also active in the larger Asian Pacific Islander American (APIA) community. James serves as a Board Member for American Citizens for Justice (ACJ), which was formed after the murder of Vincent Chin back in 1982. In 2013, James was awarded the “Rising Star” award by APIA-Vote Michigan for his dedication and leadership in the APIA community.
James received his Bachelor of Science in Sociology at Arizona State University.
About Our Presenter
Etienne Consulting's work is informed by their unique mix of experience in public accounting & business consulting, association management & member engagement, and diversity & inclusion consulting and training. Although in a variety of roles and industries, their work has always intersected around the importance of self-awareness in leadership, clarity of purpose, and navigating conflict within teams.
This led them to develop techniques to deepen awareness and strengthen communication — core skills necessary for driving meaningful change in organizations. They work with businesses and firms to infuse diversity, equity, and inclusion across all aspects of people experience, operations, policy, communications, branding, and community & social responsibility. Their training programs and workshops are designed to bridge the gap between diversity and inclusion by offering concrete skills and communication strategies teams and use to build teams capable of leveraging their full diversity to drive innovation, growth, and lasting cultural change. They also offer support in developing, implementing, executing, and reporting on D&I strategy.
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