Don is not afraid to discuss the tough issues related to masculinity and sexism. He challenges men to join the fight for gender equality by being ever-growing allies to women.”
—Richard Lapchick, director of the Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sport
Philosophy and Style
positive
The issues are often difficult but the conversation is not. Growth comes when we can navigate the difficult with positivity and aspiration. It is more effective to teach what we can become instead of harping on what we’ve done wrong.
authentic
I call myself an “accidental activist.” I have learned from many amazing leaders and educators. I continue to learn from every audience and interaction.
engaging
I listen to learn and believe every interaction is an opportunity for growth. Navigating difficult issues is a process of exchanged ideas, thoughts and feelings. That process is the goal.
Signature Presentation
You Throw Like a Girl
Campus Presentation
Delivered on more than 250 college campuses and adapted to the needs of each campus population, from fraternities to football to campus-wide audiences. This presentation evolves each year, covering contemporary issue of sexual and relationship violence, men’s violence against women and masculinity.
Book Review and Discussion
Book Club discussion and educational series discussion the book’s critical issues by chapter; addressing issues of:
The Myth of Masculinity (mandate, performance, promise and lie)
Men’s violence against women
Media (social, pop-culture and porn)
Advancing aspirational masculinity
Video Discussion and Train the Trainer
COMING SOON
DISCUSSION GUIDE AND TRAIN/TRAINER
Aspirational Masculinity
“Aspirational Masculinity” is the term I prefer to use for the focus of my work. I did not come to the work as a perpetrator, survivor or, even aware of the issue of gender-based violence. I came to this work, led by my mentor Jackson Katz and informed by innumerable women to use my status as a former professional athlete and privilege as a man to engage men in dismantling the roots of gender-based violence.
in recent years men have come to the examination of masculinity at the behest of women who implore us to address the “toxic” elements of masculinity that harm women’s lives. However, to truly do so men must recognize that those same elements are detrimental to the lives of boys and men first. We must engage in a more vulnerable and trenchant discussion about what we hope for each other; to live whole, loving and authentic lives.
Strategies for Engaging Men
In recent years, the need to engage men has been rooted in the need to address male behavior and its impact (primarily) on women. However, to truly engage men in a most effective and sustainable way to that end, the approach must examine why men’s engagement is in the best interest of MEN!
Men as Bystanders
The “bystander approach was established in the early 1990’s by Jackson Katz and the Mentors in Violence Prevention Project. The goal was to empower men within their peer and affinity groups; not to police behavior but to examine and challenge the ways in which we impact each others attitudes and behaviors. Men as Bystanders is an affirming approach; seeking to encourage the best of men - not police the worst.
Allyship with Women
Simply put, I believe men’s allyship with women must extend far beyond supporting women. Men must engage each other and hold each other accountable, challenging sexism, misogyny, patriarchy and the resulting extenuating social environment that male silence perpetuates.
LEADERSHIP
Sports Leadership
In 2002 I created the Sports Leadership Institute at Adelphi University (2002 - 2008). The impetus was not simply to use the platform of sport but the need for the sports community to maximize its social influence; this leadership is not organically ordained but requires education, focus and purpose as well as honest reflection on the role of sports in society.
Campus & Community
Addressing complex social issues requires comprehensive and systemic solutions. College campuses and communities have long isolated prevention and education within single departments or agencies that too often are limited to triaging the problem and not engaging the broader campus/community in a comprehensive solution-based campaign.
Corporate/Workplace
In recent years the “workplace” and corporate leadership have been challenged to address issues of diversity and inclusion sparked by #metoo and, will undoubtedly be further pressed by the Black Lives Matter movement. While these conversations may be sensitive and difficult, they can also be used to build and strengthen a cohesive workplace environment
CONSULTING
“Systems Approach”
For nearly four decades I have provided consulting and direct services to local and national organizations from community based organizations serving schools, K-12 to the NCAA and global NGOs. In recent years, I have examined the philosophy, implementation and efficacy of various models to social education programming. There is a plethora of “good ideas” from research-based, data driven pedagogically sound inititiaves to cool cutting edge awareness campaigns. What is lacking and ultimately impeding effectiveness and sustainable culture change are cohesive and systemic inter-agency and departmental approaches that engage multiple constituent groups with common language and messaging and, measurable outcomes. This “systems approach” is designed to engage multiple constituent groups within a college campus or community (K-12 schools, families and community and workplace)
Contact Information
Don McPherson Enterprises, LLC
333 Earle Ovington Blvd.
Suite 502
Uniondale, NY, 11553
(516) 319 - 3656
Info@donmcpherson.com
Schedule Don