What do justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion mean to you?

By La Rae Banks and Joy Usigbe

For a group of DrPH scholars in the Global Health Leadership Program from the Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health at Indiana University in Indianapolis, they represent shared principles that are fundamental to a happy, healthy, and fruitful life.

Shortcomings on any scale can negatively impact one’s self esteem, academic success, professional advancement, community security, thriving health, and a united society. In March 2021, they organized themselves and created the Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) committee. What was their inspiration?

On May 25, 2020, a Minneapolis police officer forcibly removed a Black suspect from his car and subsequently suffocated him by kneeling on his throat for nine minutes, causing cardiopulmonary arrest, which killed him. He was suspected of using a counterfeit $20 bill at a local grocery store.

The murder of George Floyd, Jr., the suspect, triggered a worldwide social movement regarding unjust treatment against Black people. It confronted truths, escalated voices, ignited social demonstrations, and demanded equality. Allegations of injustices were targeted at law enforcement. It also raised awareness about inequitable treatment across many industries and against all communities of color. Admissions of accountability surfaced.

In the banking industry, Citibank announced on September 23, 2020 a $1 billion pledge to close racial wealth disparities through various investments. In the healthcare industry, the American Medical Association issued  a press release on November 16, 2020 declaring racism as a public threat, followed by a commitment towards change.

In the technical industry, Apple issued a press release on January 13, 2021 committing a $100 million pledge towards projects that improve racial equity and justice. In the retail industry, Walmart announced on January 13, 2021 racial equity grants of $100 million over a 5-year period to nonprofit organizations across multiple sectors such as health and education.

Public acknowledgment by some of the USA’s most prominent corporations demonstrated a willingness for societal change. Embarking on this historical time, JEDI wanted to champion changes in higher education.

Committed to a better tomorrow, JEDI is now an advisory liaison between students, faculty, and staff that holds stakeholders accountable to the principles of justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion. Three IUPUI professors and administrators serve as executive sponsors. Committee members represent a variety of industries and are spread across the globe, but strongly united by the principles espoused by JEDI.

2022 JEDI Committee Members
Executive Sponsors Suzanne Babich, DrPH, MS Sarah Archer, DrPH, MPH, RN, PHN Chastity Walker, DrPH, MPH
La Rae Banks, MBA-HM US Healthcare Insurance Industry California, US	Ericka Thomas, MPH US Government Public Health Preparedness & Response Virginia, US
Keith Barnett, MS, MBA Global Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology New Jersey, US	Jason Turi, RN, MPH Integrated Community-Based Health & Social Services New Jersey, US
Delilah Hood, MSW Corporate Leadership in Behavioral Health Indiana, US	Joy Usigbe, MPH Maternal and Child Health Indiana, US
Mahlet Nigatu, MS Health Information Technology & Informatics Maryland, US	Jenelle Williams, MBA Global Health & Development Atlanta, US
Paul Shelter Fast, MPH, MID Global Health, Social, & Behavioral Change Indiana, US	Chirine Youssef Chehab, MPH Healthcare Executive Leadership Beirut, Lebanon

 

What are JEDI’s principles?

• We seek Justice, advocating for nondiscriminatory practices for all people in higher education
• We are committed to Equity, ensuring all students have a fair and just opportunity to access and experience the full journey of higher education to meet their individual needs
• We thrive in Diversity, ensuring higher education reflects the rich tapestry of all people’s histories, culture, and life experiences
• We embrace Inclusion, humbly amplifying voices of all people who desire improvement in higher education

What are JEDI’s areas of interest?

• Foster accountability and implementation of JEDI principles in the DrPH program
• Enrich public health education by incorporating JEDI principles into all courses and activities
• Advance global health through projects that promote JEDI principles
• Offer mentorship and networking to students from marginalized communities who seek change and embrace JEDI principles

Transformation is not easy. JEDI approaches their work with a spirit of humility, empathy, flexibility, good will, and friendliness. Their approach is working. In just one year, JEDI has made impressive progress.

What has JEDI done so far?

COMING UP!

• 8/16/2022 – JEDI welcome and overview during in-person orientation for DrPH Cohort 5
• 11/6/2022 – JEDI scheduled to speak at the American Public Health Association (APHA) annual meeting

PREVIOUS ACCOMPLISHMENTS

• 4/7/2022 – JEDI lead discussion series, “Leadership Application of Equity Principles – Global Perspectives” for 2022 National Public Health Week
• 1/21/2022 – JEDI presents at the IUPUI Faculty Assembly
• 12/31/2021 –Interview with JEDI member, Keith Barnett, by December 26er
• 11/6/2021 – JEDI principles incorporated into DrPH Global Health Leadership course work
• 11/6/2021 – JEDI-related content added to DrPH new student application, mission statement, handbook, and DrPH website
• 10/21/2021 – JEDI co-founder Ericka Thomas presents her work and reflections at Emory University Rollins School of Public Health – Our Voices: Diversity in Environmental Sciences Seminar Series
• 8/2021- JEDI mission statement created

This movement is joined by IUPUI’s commitment towards an academic environment that embraces JEDI principles. On September 21, 2021, Pamela Whitten, the President of Indiana University, issued a press release pledging $30 million towards hiring faculty that is diverse and representative of the community. The seven-year effort will hire diverse staff from communities of color, while creating new positions.

If you want to learn more about JEDI or join this historic movement to shape IUPUI’s future, please contact a JEDI committee member La Rae Banks at bankslr@iu.edu, Joy Usigbe at  jagbonhe@iu.edu, or Keith Barnett at kbarnet@iu.edu.