The topic of DEI is all over the news lately. But what are we talking about when we say “diversity, equity, and inclusion?” And why has it become such a charged topic? Joining us today to discuss these questions and more are Alex Byrd and Connie Porter.

Since 2020, Alex Byrd has been the vice provost for diversity, equity and inclusion at Rice University. In that role, Alex provides high-level strategic leadership for diversity initiatives and coordinates offices across campus to help create a hub for all programs and efforts around diversity. Alex is also an associate professor of history. His area of expertise is Afro-America, especially Black life in the Atlantic world and the Jim Crow South.

Connie Porter is the senior associate dean of the office for diversity, equity and inclusion at Rice Business and an associate clinical professor of marketing. As a member of the dean’s senior leadership team, she strengthens the school’s DEI efforts and broadens its community engagement. Connie joined Rice in 2011, and her research focuses on the value of fostering customer relationships in technology-enabled marketing environments.

Alex and Connie sit down with host Scott Gale ’19 to share what DEI means to them, why they believe DEI efforts are critical for universities and organizations to implement, what impact the 2019 Rice Task Force on Slavery, Segregation, and Racial Injustice has had on the university, and what kind of misconceptions persist when it comes to understanding this work.

Check out other episodes of Owl Have You Know: https://business.rice.edu/podcast

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