During the pandemic and lockdowns, I rediscovered Chicago and where I’m from. In Canada, people always ask you: “Where are you from?”. I would be a little salty because I felt I didn’t have a good answer. Of course, I would say: “I’m from the United States”, and most times “Chicago”, without having much knowledge of its Black history. However, when I had time on my hands … [Read more...]
Higher Education for the Public Good, Cultivating a Racially Diverse Democracy
Most educators would agree that diversity and democracy are universal principles that our higher education community and our public hold dear. However, a diverse democracy, emphasizing race and ethnicity, requires substantial advocacy and leadership to promote it as a legitimate public good. Long-standing debates pertaining to inequitable educational opportunities, mortality … [Read more...]
New Game+: Relearning Life With A Disability (Revisited)
In recognition of International Day of Persons with Disabilities on Saturday, December 3, 2022, I wanted to repost a blog I did in 2018. Five years ago I had the opportunity to be keynote for the Awards Banquet and Induction Ceremony segment of the 6th Annual International Colloquium on Black Males in Education 2017 held in Toronto, Ontario. When I thought about what … [Read more...]
Promoting Disability As Diversity and Accessibility as an Institutional Priority
In the United States, legal challenges to race-conscious higher education policies have required that practitioners and researchers continue to focus on race/ethnicity to the exclusion of other diverse populations, including students with disabilities. In Canada, postsecondary institutions are not besieged with such challenges. On the contrary, instead of race/ethnicity, … [Read more...]
Integrating Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Into the DNA of Public Universities
Too often executive leaders view diversity work as either a numerical problem (i.e. not enough diversity among the workforce or student population) or a problem of compliance that needs managing. However, to truly integrate the values of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) throughout public postsecondary institutions, a multifaceted and longitudinal approach is required, as … [Read more...]