In an effort to go beyond the “diversity, equity, and inclusion box check,” Dr. Alvin Tillery has created a “Leading Diversity, Equity and Inclusion” course which incorporates his findings from over 30 years of work in the field.
“A lot of courses teach people that DE&I work is really hard, and that it’s difficult to promote change within organizations,” Tillery says. “What I teach is how to get over those hurdles.”
Instead of focusing on non-conscious bias (learned, deeply ingrained stereotypes which influence behavior, but of which the holder is not consciously aware) and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion trainings, Tillery focuses on the leaders themselves.
“[Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion trainings are] only the first step in a series of 50 steps that organizations might need to take.”
Drawing on lessons from history and political and social leaders who have overcome great resistance to advance diversity, Professor Tillery focuses on teaching leadership and organizational change. Hands-on modules teach leaders how to overcome resistance within their organizations and put their action plans to work. This is a part of Northwestern’s Center for the Study of Diversity and Democracy which Tillery established.
Professor Alvin Tillery plans to build a robust portfolio of resources for leaders who seek to leverage the benefits of diversity, equity, and inclusion in their organizations.
“My broader ambition is to make Northwestern the place for executive education on these issues. Hopefully, this can be the first step in that direction.”
Alvin B. Tillery, Jr. is an associate professor of Political Science and director of the Center for the Study of Diversity and Democracy. His research and teaching focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion issues in the United States. His book, Between Homeland and Motherland: Africa, U.S. Foreign Policy and Black Leadership in America (Cornell University Press, 2011) won the W.E.B. Du Bois Distinguished Book Award from the National Conference of Black Political Scientists. His papers have appeared in the American Political Science Review, Studies in American Political Development, Political Research Quarterly, the Journal of Race, Ethnicity and Politics.
Related: Leading on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion – Weinberg Magazine