Toward Inclusive Excellence Podcast

Dr. Rasul Mowatt, head of the department of parks, recreation, and tourism management at North Carolina State University, and Dr. Davarian L. Baldwin, Trinity College’s Paul E. Raether Distinguished Professor of American Studies, join Toward Inclusive Excellence for the first “In Dialogue” discussion between two prominent scholars on timely topics. While TIE’s editor-in-chief Alexia Hudson-Ward had other ideas in mind for the “In Dialogue” session, media announcements came out about AP’s decision to strip its African American Studies curriculum shortly before the discussion. The topic shifted toward political encroachment into the academy and how librarians and faculty need to form more alliances to support academic freedom. Rasul and Davarian shared historical data points spanning nearly 60 years on why Black Studies exists and its importance within American history. The guests also discussed attacks on public libraries and archives, how to advocate for all on campus, and the power of community organizing.

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In this Toward Inclusive Excellence spring semester episode, we’re joined by Pulitzer Prize-winning author and historian David Hackett Fischer to discuss his latest title, African Founders: How Enslaved People Expanded American Ideals. TIE editor-in-chief Alexia Hudson-Ward chats with David on the writing process of this monumental text, which demonstrates how African influences in early America created a new, distinct American culture. David walks through his extensive travel to regions in America and Africa, in addition to his rigorous archival research of narratives by enslaved people collected in the 18th and 19th centuries. Throughout the conversation, David underscores the importance of diversity in American culture, highlighting the need to celebrate our differences and listen to—and learn from—our forebearers. David and Alexia also explore key takeaways from the book, the unique qualities of early American regions, and the significance of including African-American abolitionist Absalom Jones on the book cover.

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In the third episode of Toward Inclusive Excellence‘s fall semester series, TIE‘s editor-in-chief Alexia Hudson-Ward chats with Dr. Adriene Lim, Dean of Libraries at the University of Maryland, College Park. Alexia and Adriene discuss Adriene’s career in academic librarianship, including her professional and personal trajectory to leadership roles. In addition, Adriene covers the skills needed to succeed as a library dean, key tips for confidence building, and how to carve out time for professional development. She also digs into the strategies she’s employed to circumvent the “bamboo ceiling,” a phenomenon of cultural, individual, and organizational factors that bar professional success for those of Asian descent.

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In the second episode of TIE’s fall semester series, Crystal McCormick Ware, inaugural chief diversity officer and senior advisor to the university president on DEI at Duquesne University, discusses the impact of belonging on campus. In conversation with Toward Inclusive Excellence editor-in-chief Alexia Hudson-Ward, Crystal defines the concept of belonging and its intersection with inclusion, situating it within the higher education context and explaining how it fits into an institution’s DEI mission. Crystal also digs into the measurement of belonging through campus-wide surveys, and how it connects to faculty and student retention. She closes with thoughts on DEI policy implementation, the impact of DEI certificate programs, and how libraries can model institutional belonging through assessment and collaboration with the DEI office.

Episode theme music: Black is the Night by Jeris (c) copyright 2014 Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial (3.0) license. Ft: DJ Vadim (djvadim), NiGiD

In the first episode of TIE’s fall semester series, Dr. Davarian L. Baldwin, Trinity College’s Paul E. Raether Distinguished Professor of American Studies, reveals how universities practice aggressive real estate, low-wage employment, and campus policing tactics that result in gentrification, higher taxes, and inequitable healthcare and other amenities for residents—especially communities of color. Joined by Toward Inclusive Excellence editor-in-chief Alexia Hudson-Ward, Davarian defines terms from his recent title, In the Shadow of the Ivory Tower: How Universities are Plundering Our Cities, such as “UniverCities” and “bright flight,” explaining their relationship to university and city leaders’ joint efforts to keep educated, white collar professionals in urban areas. Finally, Davarian highlights actionable solutions like affordable housing mandates, food donations, and community benefit agreements in addition to his ongoing advocacy work. In this conversation, Davarian underscores how Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) policies on campus must go beyond diversifying faculty or curricula to account for how universities themselves play a role in destructive practices against communities of color.

Episode theme music: Black is the Night by Jeris (c) copyright 2014 Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial (3.0) license. Ft: DJ Vadim (djvadim), NiGiD

In this summer session episode, Dr. Rasul Mowatt, head of the department of parks, recreation, and tourism management at North Carolina State University, joins Toward Inclusive Excellence editor-in-chief Alexia Hudson-Ward to provide a DEIA perspective to leisure studies. In the conversation, Rasul describes the personal and professional path toward his research, which sits at the intersection between nature, leisure, and race. In particular, he highlights how his decision-making in previous city government roles centered social justice; essentially, understanding the oppression or injustices affecting a community leads to programs that better serve constituents and address root issues. Further, Rasul parses out how race impacts the occupancy of nature spaces, surfacing topics like policing, private property, and the development of public parks. Alexia and Rasul also discuss cultural memory, paying particular attention to signage, statues, and memorials in public places. To close, Rasul shares his recommendations for summer leisure, including travel for the sake of history—no park, bus stop, or sign is too small for exploration and understanding for the past.

Episode theme music: Black is the Night by Jeris (c) copyright 2014 Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial (3.0) license. Ft: DJ Vadim (djvadim), NiGiD

For the final episode of TIE’s spring semester series, Kaija Langley, author of children’s book When Langston Dances, joins Toward Inclusive Excellence editor in chief Alexia Hudson-Ward to discuss diversity in children’s literature. In the episode, Kaija describes her journey to becoming an NAACP Image Award–nominated author, including the mentorship, inspiration, and kismet she encountered along the way. In addition, Kaija and Alexia look back at the books available to Black children, noting the lack of options and variation in subject matter. Though Kaija notes the strides children’s publishing has made over the decades, she highlights the need for children’s books to celebrate and showcase Black humanity—kids just being kids—and not restrict options to historical or one-dimensional texts. Finally, Kaija offers advice for aspiring children’s literature authors: know your audience (including the adults!), join the KidLit community, and tap into your inner child.

Episode theme music: Black is the Night by Jeris (c) copyright 2014 Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial (3.0) license. Ft: DJ Vadim (djvadim), NiGiD

In the second episode of TIE’s spring semester series, Michelle Duffy, Vernon Heath Chair in the department of Work and Organizations at the Carlson School of Management, joins editor in chief of Toward Inclusive Excellence and podcast host Alexia Hudson-Ward to discuss positive practices in the workplace. Michelle’s research focuses on the emotional health of employees, its impact on an organization, and the role of micro interventions—brief, unique, and accessible exercises to improve mindfulness and well-being in and outside of the workplace. Michelle and Alexia dig into the effects of the pandemic on employee relations and mental health; how can staff maintain healthy and productive relationships in the midst of new working environments, stressful home lives, or even grief?

In the discussion, Michelle walks through how managers or those who hold more stability or power in their position—tenured professors, for example—can uplift and support their junior colleagues, not diminish or perpetuate harmful experiences. In addition, Michelle notes the importance of making space for “humanity” at work—pets, kids, or basement offices should be embraced, not looked down upon—and positive strategies she’s implemented at her own institution to encourage these results. Last, she underscores the effectiveness of empathetic and mindful leadership, and defines the qualities and actions of a compassionate leader.

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In this spring semester episode, Deborah Caldwell-Stone, Director of the American Library Association’s Office for Intellectual Freedom and Executive Director of the Freedom to Read Foundation, discusses the drastic increase in book banning and challenges in recent years. Alexia Hudson-Ward, podcast host and editor in chief of Toward Inclusive Excellence, chats with Deborah about why these current challenges demand such attention. Indeed, the concerted and highly-organized efforts have garnered not only high-profile media coverage, but also, in some troubling cases, praise and legislative support from politicians. Alexia and Deborah dive into the topics and themes under attack—particularly books by LGBTQ+ and Black authors—and the weaponization of critical race theory by censorship groups.

In addition, Deborah walks through the importance of institutions implementing robust and transparent policies for dealing with and addressing demands for book bans and challenges. She also provides actionable steps that advocates can take in their communities to resist book bans, including the work of organizations like PEN America, the National Coalition Against Censorship, the ACLU, Red Wine and Blue, and the Freedom to Read Foundation. Despite the dismaying trends, Deborah closes with encouraging and hopeful anecdotes on the reinstating of books after initial opposition, and the bravery of today’s youth for standing against censorship and for their freedom to read.

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In this “fall semester” episode, Dr. Martha S. Jones joins the program to discuss her book, Vanguard: How Black Women Broke Barriers, Won the Vote, and Insisted on Equality for All. Alexia Hudson-Ward, podcast host and editor in chief of Toward Inclusive Excellence, chats with Martha about the banning of Vanguard in Lafayette, Louisiana, and, in response, the support she received from colleagues, fellow authors, and the American Library Association. Martha details how the ordeal revealed to her the prevalence of banned publications and strengthened her resolve for allyship between librarians, curators, archivists, and educators in the battle for Civil Rights and democratized access to knowledge. The conversation also includes Martha’s goals for Vanguard and overall research on how Black Americans shape American democracy. Last, Martha digs into the historian’s role of pulling apart established myths of the past—like the long-held narrative that the campaign for women’s suffrage began in Seneca Falls, NY and ended with the 19th amendment in 1920.

Episode theme music: Black is the Night by Jeris (c) copyright 2014 Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial (3.0) license. Ft: DJ Vadim (djvadim) , NiGiD