Ebuka Okoli, M.S. ’24, has always been fascinated by cross-cultural communication and how diverse groups of people communicate in an organizational context. It’s for this reason he moved over 6,000 miles from Nigeria to Normal to pursue a master’s in communication at Illinois State University. … Okoli’s professional work in Nigeria centered around helping the…
US condemns sentencing of prominent Chinese human rights defenders
The United States on Friday condemned the “unjust imprisonment” of prominent Chinese human rights lawyer Yu Wensheng and his wife Xu Yan, who were sentenced to three years and one year and nine months, respectively, by a Chinese court this week. Yu, 56, and Xu were imprisoned on charges of “inciting subversion of state power”…
Black innkeepers own a thriving B&B. But they keep their identities hidden
“We knew when we opened our doors who our market would be – mostly white people,” said Marvin. Fearing their Black faces might deter potential guests, the Johnsons designed their website to promote the property’s serene surroundings and amenities. “That was on purpose,” said Anita. “We didn’t want to advertise that we were African Americans,…
New Report Highlights Experiences of Black Students, Staff, and Faculty in California Higher Education
The Samuel DeWitt Proctor Institute of Leadership, Equity, and Justice (Proctor Institute) is proud to announce the release of its latest report, “Wounded Healers: The Pandemic, Racial Battle Fatigue, and Higher Education in California.” The report examines the impact of the 2020 quadruple pandemic, a four-part interconnection of health crises, financial calamity, climate change, and…
Why Diversity Is Still Important To Higher Education
Opponents of diversity, equity, and inclusion often argue that supporting these ideas undermines meritocracy by prioritizing diversity over qualifications and merit; exacerbates social and cultural divisions, infringes upon free speech, and represents a particular and far-left ideology. I remember the first time I read Daryl G. Smith’s Diversity’s Promise for Higher Education: Making it Work (Johns Hopkins University Press, 2024). It was…
A Black man got a job interview after he changed the name on his resume. Now, he’s suing for discrimination | CNN
A Black man has filed an employment discrimination lawsuit against a hotel in Detroit, Michigan, alleging the hotel only offered him a job interview after he changed the name on his resume, according to a copy of the lawsuit obtained by CNN. Dwight Jackson filed the lawsuit against the Shinola Hotel on July 3, alleging…
Tips For African American Students Seeking Internships
African American students are less likely to secure an internship and when they do, it is likely to be unpaid. Research has demonstrated discrimination by major companies when it comes to offering internships to African American students. In addition, research shows that many low-income and first generation students of color are not sure how to obtain an internship. At the same…
Reggie Jackson Reveals the Harsh Racism During His Playing Career
“Coming back here is not easy. The racism…when I played here… The difficulty of going through different places where we traveled,” the Hall of Fame baseball player continued. “People said to me… ‘You think you’re a better person, you think you won when you played here and conquered?’ I said, you know, I would never…
How The Murder of Emmett Till Led To The Creation Of The Twilight Zone
The Twilight Zone was created by Rod Serling, who believed in using television as a platform for social activism and commentary.The show was initially inspired by the murder of Emmett Till, a Black teenager who was brutally killed in Mississippi in the 1950s.Serling’s attempts to directly adapt Till’s story were met with censorship, leading him…
Workplace Bullying: Weaponizing Belonging at Work
Belonging is an evolutionary longing in which connection equals protection, both for our bodies and souls (Sapolsky, 2004). Authentic connection is generative, encouraging us to grow while staying in alignment with our core values (hooks, 1996). True belonging encourages both interdependence, inviting us to lean on and support others, and independence, insisting we maintain personal…
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