News and Articles

 

Fund for Leadership, Equity, Access and Diversity (LEAD Fund) Welcomes its Newest Board Member, Joseph B. Hill

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LEAD Fund Adds Diversity Executive Joseph B. Hill to its board of Civil Rights Advocates, Scholars and DE&I Leaders

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For Immediate Release: March 24, 2023

Media Contact:  Shirley J. Wilcher 240-893-9475

shirleyj@leadfund.org

www.leadfund.org

 

Washington, DC - March 24, 2023.  The Fund for Leadership, Equity, Access and Diversity (LEAD Fund), announces the newest addition to its board of directors, Joseph B. Hill.  The LEAD Fund was established to provide thought leadership in promoting inclusive organizations and institutions through research and education on issues related to diversity, social responsibility, human and civil rights. The LEAD Fund is a “Think and Do” tank, which advances new knowledge and tested strategies aimed at eliminating prejudice and discrimination. The Fund is a 501 (c) (3) charitable organization.

 

“Joe Hill is a visionary Diversity Executive and change agent with a 20-year history of driving transformative diversity and inclusion solutions for global corporations,” said Dr. Christopher Metzler, Chair of the LEAD Fund’s Board of Directors.  Hill is the managing partner of JBrady5 Consulting LLC. (JB5C), a firm that specializes in business transformation delivery spanning 6 core areas: organizational strategy, assessment & succession, global D&I programs, managing brand reputation, ESG strategy, and improving community engagement for large enterprises throughout the US and globally.

 

Prior to establishing JB5C, Joseph Hill served as the Senior Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer for Thomas Jefferson University and Jefferson Health System in Philadelphia, PA. In this role, he demonstrated impact and influence in driving the integration of D&I methodologies into business best practices and health equity programs. Over the last decade, his relentless leadership focus across the

Healthcare, Telecom, and Nonprofit sectors has centered on creating an authentic work environment and infusing energy into a global corporate value system that holds diversity and inclusion as a fundamental tenet.

 

Other LEAD Fund Board members include: Dr. Edna Chun, Vice President; Jennifer Tucker, Board Treasurer; Jacqueline Johnson, Board Secretary; Joan Kuriansky, and Shirley Wilcher, President and CEO.

 

A Subtle Subterfuge, an Outrage or Both?

Inside Higher Ed

February 3, 2023

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Florida College System presidents signed a statement promising not to support any effort that “compels belief” in critical race theory on their campuses. That prompted a deluge of criticism and, in some quarters, a little sympathy.  For more information, click here.

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Frustrated DEI Staff are Leaving Their Jobs 

Inside Higher Ed 

February 3, 2023

Demand for diversity, equity and inclusion specialists on campus is high—and so is turnover. Many in the field say the work can be isolating and support from top leaders is rare. 

After four years at Princeton University, Avina Ross left her job in September 2021. She was one of three DEI employees who have resigned from the institution over the past 18 months due to what they described as a lack of institutional support for their work, according to a December article in the student newspaper, The Daily Princetonian. For more information, click here 

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Diverse Issues in Higher Education

publishes Op-ED by LEAD Fund's President, Shirley J. Wilcher

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"National Opinion Polls on Affirmative Action: Inflaming an Issue that is Divisive Enough"

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Shirley J. Wilcher

Nov 17, 2022

Since the Regents of the University of California v. Bakke case of 1978, the Supreme Court has been asked on several occasions to rule on the constitutionality of using race as one factor in higher education admissions. The Court has consistently held that diversity is a compelling interest and that race – not quotas, can be one of many factors in selecting a class of students. In the Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard College and the University of North Carolina (SFFA), the Court is once again faced with the decision to respect decades of precedent or reverse the holistic admissions policy that selective colleges have used since the Court ruled in the Grutter v. Bollinger decision in 2003....Diverse Issues

 

Marilynn Schuyler, Esq., former LEAD Fund Board member and co-author of the AAAED/LEAD Fund Brief, speaks on CNN regarding affirmative action and the Harvard/UNC cases: CNN

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On December 1, 2022, AAAED hosts webinar "Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard and UNC: What are the Implications for Admissions and Diversity Programs?"

LEAD Fund President and CEO Shirley J. Wilcher Moderates. Register here.

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Affirmative Action and the Supreme Court: What’s at Stake?  Diverse Issues Rebroadcasts AAAED's 48th National Conference panel on Affirmative Action.

Click here 

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American Association for Access, Equity and Diversity Urges the U.S. Supreme Court to Affirm that Diversity in Admissions is Constitutional 

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Student Body Diversity in Higher Education Is Essential to Promoting the Nation’s Future Workforces and Developing the Next Generation of Leaders 

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Washington, DC – November 1, 2022. The American Association for Access, Equity and Diversity (AAAED), a national not-for-profit association of equal opportunity, diversity and affirmative action professionals, strongly urges the U.S. Supreme Court to affirm the lower court’s decision in the case of Students for Fair Admissions Inc. v. President & Fellows of Harvard College and Students for Fair Admissions Inc v. the University of North Carolina.[1] The Association strongly urges the Court to respect forty-four years of precedent and maintain race conscious admissions in higher education as consistent with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.... Shirley Wilcher, AAAED Executive Director and President and CEO of LEAD Fund quoted. Press Release

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National Poll Shows Majority Believes Affirmative Action in Higher Education Is Essential, Must Be Protected by the Supreme Court

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Mattie Goldman, goldman@civilrights.org

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WASHINGTON — The Leadership Conference Education Fund today released the results of a national survey exploring people’s opinions on affirmative action, diversity, and opportunity in higher education. The survey, commissioned by The Education Fund and conducted by NORC at the University of Chicago, found that a majority of people in America believe that diverse college and university campuses are beneficial to students, college admissions should take into account a student’s whole story, and the U.S. Supreme Court must protect affirmative action. Key findings include:

• 87% of respondents believe all students, no matter their race or background, benefit from college campuses that reflect the diversity of who we are as Americans.

• 76% of respondents believe college admissions should take into consideration the lived experiences and the whole story of a student, in addition to high school grades and test scores.

• 69% believe affirmative action helps create diverse campuses, which benefit all of us

• 64% of respondents believe affirmative action helps level the playing field and gives all students, regardless of their race or background, a fair shot at attending college.

• 54% of respondents believe it is important that the Supreme Court protects affirmative action, including 32% who believe it is very important. (more)  Press Release

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LEAD Fund joins AAAED and others on the Supreme Court amicus brief filed in support of Harvard and University of North Carolina.

 

The Fund for Leadership, Equity, Access and Diversity (LEAD Fund) was established to provide thought leadership in promoting inclusive organizations and institutions through research and education on issues related to diversity, social responsibility, human and civil rights.  On why the Fund joined the brief, Dr. Christopher Metzler, Chair of the LEAD Fund Board, stated: “The Lead Fund realizes the importance of Affirmative Action and Diversity in America. Colleges and universities benefit greatly from critical thinking among a diverse student body. Harvard's and UNC’s holistic, race-conscious admissions policies create an environment from which the world gains conscious citizens and leaders.”  For a copy of the brief,

click here

 

Ambitious Diversity Goals? Take

Care Not to Discriminate

CEO Update, Sept. 9, 2022, William Erhart

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LEAD Fund Chair Christopher Metzler states, "Let's be clear. There is no diversity law. You can accelerate it, but you cannot accelerate it by discriminating."  Dr. Metzler joined Dr. Richard Baker, past President of AAAED, and Dr. Carmen Suarez, AAAED Board Member, at a workshop given at the Annual Conference of the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) in Nashville, TN.  https://ceoupdate.com/ (Membership required)

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Admissions Survey in a World of Change

Inside Higher Ed, Scott Jaschik

September 19, 2022

LEAD Fund's Shirley Wilcher quoted

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AAAED Announces Featured Keynote Speaker Dr. Christopher Metzler for its 48th National Conference 

Dr. Christopher Metzler, a Founder of Diversity Management Training, will Keynote the Organization’s 48th National Conference on October 11th

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"Dr. Christopher Metzler will be presenting on Technology-Driven DEI Programs: How Technology is Increasing their Impact.” — L. Jerry Knighton, Jr., AAAED Conference Chair

 

WASHINGTON, DC, USA, September 22, 2022 /EINPresswire.com/ -- The American Association for Access, Equity and Diversity (AAAED), a national not-for-profit association of equal opportunity, diversity and affirmative action professionals, announced that Dr.  Christopher Metzler will lead its host of speakers at the 48th National Conference. The conference will take place October 11 – 13, 2022, and will be virtual. The conference theme is “Building an Infrastructure for Equitable and Sustainable Change.” Dr. Metzler will speak LIVE on October 11, 2022 at 1:30 pm (ET). Press Release

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