 From left to right are pictured Mr. Geoffrey Freeman, Ms. Tamara Phillips, Dr. Howard Jones, and Mr. James Pate |
Posted on: 6/26/2023
In commemoration of Juneteenth, on June 21, 2023, the Defense Security Cooperation University’s (DSCU’S) diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility (DEIA) council, LEAD Forward, hosted guest speaker, Mr. Geoffrey Freeman, and Ohio-based multiple award-winning artist, Mr. James Pate, at DSCU’s School of Security Cooperation Studies on Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio.
Mr. Freeman, a writer, researcher, and development consultant, discussed the origins of Juneteenth and “cultural preservationists” who he considers to be the curators and historical documentarians of the many facets of African-American life and culture. As one such cultural preservationist, Mr. Pate answered questions about the techniques and inspiration behind his popular art.
LEAD Forward was founded in the summer of 2020 as a grassroots effort to provide a space for listening and learning. LEAD Forward's charter was signed by DSCU's President in September 2022. The charter's mission states, in part, that LEAD Forward aims to promote an ethos of DEIA with a scope to advance and support the development of DEIA competencies at the individual, unit, and institutional levels across DSCU.
Four main goals drive the work of LEAD Forward, including 1) assessing, monitoring, and evaluating the advancement of DEIA throughout DSCU, 2) supporting the recruitment, hiring, and retention of a diverse workforce representative of our nation, 3) evolving the cultural climate by creating a more inclusive working environment, and 4) working toward sustainability and accountability of DEIA advancement at DSCU.