Say it Like you Mean it: Dr. Tamara Stevenson on the Future of DEI

In this episode, Neelam welcomes Dr. Tamara Stevenson, a distinguished higher education leader and advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion. Dr. Stevenson shares her journey as the first African-American faculty member in Westminster University's communication program to earn multi-year contracts and achieve the rank of associate professor. With a strong background in organizational communication and leadership, she discusses her mission to align institutional values with practices that foster a culture of belonging. Together, Neelam and Dr. Stevenson explore the significance of creating inclusive environments in both academic and corporate spaces."We've gotta get away from this big, beautiful, sexy DEI programming. And get to the structural, infrastructural work that creates and makes, facilitates access and opportunity, period."Notes:[00:03:19] Power of communication.[00:04:31] The development of personal voice.[00:10:06] Identity and self-awareness.[00:14:00] Safety and bias in communication.[00:18:55] Masterful co-optation of DEI.[00:22:10] Inclusion by exclusion in education.[00:29:18] Diversity, equity, inclusion challenges.[00:32:03] Dismantling of higher education.[00:36:34] Community colleges and access.[00:41:25] Navigating leadership and trust.[00:44:38] Integrity in professional identity.[00:52:10] Calling out structures of inequity.[00:54:06] Coalescing for effective change.[00:57:48] Creating a supportive environment.[01:02:10] Self-care and community support.Follow Dr. Stevenson LinkedInFollow NeelamWebsiteLinkedInInstagram