Joan Korenblit is the executive director of the Respect Diversity Foundation, a non-profit, tax-exempt educational organization with a mission to teach respect for all people. Through a variety of programs, RDF shows that there are many ways to teach respect and tolerance. Students in Oklahoma and beyond celebrate diversity in original, thought provoking ways through the arts as they explore issues of cultural diversity, civil rights, religious differences and global peace.

One of RDF’s most popular projects is the national Respect Diversity Symbol Campaign, structured to include students of all ages, from pre-kindergarteners to adults. RDF established a Speaker’s Bureau of educators who are artists, authors, musicians, storytellers, poets, Holocaust and human rights educators to help facilitate diversity programs.

The Respect Diversity Art & Poetry Contest is an annual statewide project, a model for states throughout the nation. All entries are collaborative works of art. Civil Rights Leader Clara Luper, Governor Brad Henry and First Lady Kim Henry are just a few of the dignitaries who have launched these contests. The Kirkpatrick Science and Air Space Museum at Omniplex in Oklahoma City schedules the Respect Diversity Symbol Exhibit each spring, showcasing all of the Respect Diversity Art & Poetry Contest entries in a two month-long exhibit.

During the September 7th web-cast interview, Joan will reveal the impetus behind the diversity art collaborations that are shown on the livingwellpresents web-cast. One example is Rising in Unity.