Tim Wise, anti-racist author and keynote speaker at the University of Phoenix's Inclusive Leadership Summit
Anti-racist author and activist Tim Wise was among the day's speakers.
“Our theme for today is leading through tumultuous times,” said Peter Cohen, the University of Phoenix’s president emeritus. “We must have courageous, honest, even raw conversations if we are to change any of this. Banning books in schools is not the path to enlightenment. Banning the discussion of sexual orientation in schools is not going to make us more inclusive.”
Cohen added that the University of Phoenix is an open access university where more than 60% of students are people of color. Many students are also over the age of 35.
Given the institution’s large population of historically underrepresented students, Cohen and colleagues noted the importance of this inaugural, multi-day event focusing on how people can impact diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging in the workplace.
“We want this summit to begin the action that you all will take in your own sphere of influence,” said Tondra Richardson, director of student diversity and inclusion at the University of Phoenix.
Anti-racist author and activist Wise echoed Cohen in his keynote when referring to several state legislators working to outlaw books discuss slavery or anti-Black racism in K-12 schools. He added that the racial justice uprisings in the wake of George Floyd drew national attention to systemic racism.
