VIRTUAL PROGRAM | UMKC Presents The Science of Unconscious Bias & its Professional Implications

During this session, participants will learn about unconscious bias and discuss its implications on professional judgment. Program facilitators will provide resources to further identify the unconscious biases we may have and strategies to reduce the impact of such biases in the professional environment. By the end of the session, participants will have an increased capacity to recognize biases and prevent the unintended consequences of these biases in order to create a more inclusive professional climate.​

Join this program to...

• Learn about unconscious bias.
• Discuss implications on professional judgment and the professional environment.
• Review strategies and resources to further identify unconscious biases and reduce their impacts.

Makini L. King, Ph.D.

Director of Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives
Makini L. King PhD is a licensed counseling psychologist who currently serves as the Director of Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives and provides leadership to diversity programs and initiatives as outlined in the UMKC Diversity Strategic Plan.

King attended Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia where she earned her B.A., with a Psychology major and Spanish minor. She later earned her M.A. and Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology at the University of Missouri- Kansas City. After completing a post-doctoral fellowship at the Kansas City Veterans Health Administration, she worked as a behavioral health consultant at the Kansas City Care Clinic where she was also co-creator and director of their dietary management program. She continues to provide clinical consultation at the KC Care Clinic. King also teaches adjunct for the Counseling Psychology Department at UMKC and provides clinical supervision for their students. Over the years she has presented on and published articles and chapters on topics related to diversity in secondary and higher education and social media.

King grew up in Kansas City, Missouri before leaving for upstate New York for high school and returned to her home town after college. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends, reading, traveling, watching movies, eating good (nutritious) food and working out.

Lona Davenport, MA

Lona Davenport currently serves as the Diversity Program Coordinator within the Division of Diversity and Inclusion and coordinates and facilitates diversity programs and initiatives in collaborative efforts between the Division of Diversity and Inclusion with campus and community partners.

Davenport attended the University of Iowa where she earned a B.B.A. in Management, an International Business Certificate, and a M.A. in Counseling, Rehabilitation, and Student Development with an emphasis in Student Development in Post-Secondary Education. Over six years at Iowa State University, Davenport served as a Residence Hall Director, Student Organization Advisor, Active Bystander Intervention Trainer, and Instructor. She also volunteered as a state certified Advocate and Shelter Counselor for the local assault care center, as well as a Search and Rescue Technician II for the National Association of Search and Rescue.

Davenport grew up in Charles City, Iowa. Her hobbies include being a restless learner, skill acquisition, motorcycle riding and maintenance, dog training, long distance running, podcasts, and reading. Her StrengthsQuest talents are: Context, Restorative, Input, Strategic, Empathy.

* A recording of this program will not be distributed to registrants afterwards *