Earlier this Summer, Clenise served as the moderator for the Renewals’ Reset Experience. We continued the conversation during a live recording of the Plattinum Passport Podcast for those who attended the event. During this episode, The Reset Experience Convener and speaker Kaetrena Davis Kendrick highlights her research on low morale experiences and workplace abuse and neglect, and Steven Adams and Sarah Hightower discuss the significance of curiosity and nervous system regulation in recovery from workplace trauma. They each share their personal workplace experiences and self-preservation tools to support and expand recovery from workplace harm and neglect.

ABOUT KAETRENA DAVIS KENDRICK

Kaetrena earned her M.S.L.S. from the historic Clark Atlanta University School of Library and Information Studies. Kendrick’s research on low-morale experiences in library workplaces is recognized as groundbreaking and validating for library employees at all levels.

In her daily and long-term work, Kendrick has transformed library programs, services, and culture via creativity, leadership, and advocacy. She is committed to centering well-being, creativity, and empathy in the workplace and promoting career clarity and rejuvenation to workers.

In 2019, Kendrick was named the Association of College and Research Libraries’ Academic/Research Librarian of

the Year, and she is the 2024-2025 Follett Chair with the Dominican University School of Information Studies.

As founder of Renewals, she is the creator of Renewers Communities and is the creator of and Convener for the Reset Experience. Learn more about her work at renewalslis.com.

ABOUT STEVEN ADAMS

With 25 years of experience as a librarian, educator, speaker and workshop facilitator, Steven creates dynamic learning experiences sparking introspection and group cohesion. His research and workshop design projects explore the role of curiosity in creating and sustaining engaging workplace cultures.

He is currently the Librarian for The Graduate School at Northwestern University and has an additional appointment as the Faculty Mentor for Northwestern’s 7th class of Posse Scholars. Prior to Northwestern, Steven served as Princeton University’s Biological and Life Sciences Librarian and Psychology Librarian, and as a Reference Librarian at the Atlanta University Center’s Woodruff Library. Steven received his B.A in Biology and his M.L.S. from Clark Atlanta University. He also holds a certificate in Instructional Design from Langevin Learning Services.

Outside of his professional activities, Steven is doing work in Evanston, IL to address issues that affect children, such as poverty, hopelessness, uneven educational opportunities through the life span, and intersectional oppression (racism, sexism, homophobia, class bias, etc.). Steven is on the Board of Foundation 65, which raises funds and leads initiatives which support schoolteachers in Evanston, Illinois. He has a long history of mentoring children, adolescents, and young adults, and has participated in “Big Brother and Sister” programs in Georgia, New Jersey and Illinois.

ABOUT SARAH HIGHTOWER

Sarah Hightower is a licensed therapist with more than 17 years of experience in mental health. She currently works with diverse populations in private practice at Blue Heron Counseling Services, LLC, and previously worked in community-based outpatient, and inpatient treatment settings. The heart and soul of her practice is maternal mental health and postpartum support with a fierce devotion of supporting and affirming the lived experiences of Black and brown women and birthing people with intersecting identities. Sarah has received extensive training in maternal mental health from Postpartum Support International (PSI), and trauma and nervous system regulation from Somatic Experiencing International (SEI).

She currently lives in Atlanta, Georgia, with her 3 children. When she’s not chauffeuring her kids around, Sarah enjoys reading, hiking, jigsaw puzzles, and practicing her French.