Diversity and Inclusion - Strome Steps Up
"Leading with Values, Not Bias," was the theme for the 2019 Leadership Summit hosted by Old Dominion University. ODU was honored to host the 3rd Summit in collaboration with Senator Mark Warner's office. This event sought to explore and address significant issues that minorities face in the modern workplace, better hiring practices, in addition to highlighting opportunities to create a diverse workforce. Keynote speaker Natalie S. Burke, President and CEO of CommonHealth ACTION, lead the workshop along with other featured guest speakers including Dr. Ron Carlee, Assistant Professor, in the School of Public Service at the Strome College of Business, Dr. Janice Underwood, Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and President John R. Broderick of Old Dominion University. The Summit united leadership programs in the region such as, the CIVIC Leadership Institute, LEAD Hampton Roads, LEAD Peninsula, and LEAD Greater Williamsburg, on a shared day of learning.
"Together with their respective Chambers of Commerce, Reinvent Hampton Roads, and Volunteer Hampton Roads, we demonstrate our ability and willingness in the region to reach across organizations, across jurisdictions, and across sectors in recognition that we are one region with an interconnected and promising future," said Ron Carlee on the importance of this issue in strengthening the region.
The attendees appreciated the insights and challenges considered in answering how to create a more equitable society, as well as the successful approaches to tackling issues that Burke discussed. Underwood, urging the audience to take action, pleaded, "We are challenged as we leave here today. We must avoid the trap of falling back into our normal ways of doing things. We are challenged to see differently...to see through an equity lens...to challenge our assumptions...to challenge the status quo."
Developing a diverse and inclusive environment is not just important for ODU, but also the Hampton Roads region. President Broderick shared his thoughts on how important it is to expose students to a wide variety of point of views. He actively supports and encourages diversity and inclusiveness across ODU's campus through the President's Task Force on Inclusive Excellence, a 33-member group that represents students, faculty, administrators and staff members. In addition, the University held a conference for SEEDS, the Science Educators for Equity, Diversity, and Social Justice. This conference included renowned scholars, educators and change agents whose goal is to create a just and equitable society through transformative action in science.
Based on the Life In Hampton Roads 10th Annual Report conducted by the Social Science Research Center at ODU, African Americans' perception on race relations have worsened over the past two years. Approximately 71.8% of African Americans rated race relations in the Hampton Roads area fair or poor and believe that people like them are not treated fairly and in a non-discriminatory manner when it comes to dealing with the police, applying for a loan or mortgage, or seeking job opportunities.
"We encourage collaborative and deep conversations about personal experiences, race and racism. We explore ways to forge a restorative path. We work to forgive others and receive forgiveness to achieve understanding across our different experiences and realities. Ending discrimination and healing the wounds of discrimination is difficult but rewarding. Creating a society based on equity requires constant work and constant learning beyond attending a single workshop," said President Broderick.
Underwood, Carlee, and President Broderick united to communicate a dynamic message of hope that the negative perceptions of race relations in the Hampton Roads area can be changed in the future by acting differently and engaging in ways that truly value diversity.
Story by Danielle Gilliam
