Category Archives: Authors A-H

Authors listed by last name A-H

Advisors, Authors A-H, Race & Ethnicity, Social Issues

Introducing Professor Bill (“Paul Revere”) Willis – by Terry Howard

Like millions, I was riveted to the breaking news about the passing of Civil Rights advocate Jesse Jackson and at 5:30 pm, during a commercial, I called Bill Willis to follow up on a conversation we’d had two days before. 

“Will I see you at this evening’s Board of Commissioners meeting (Douglas County, Georgia)  during which I will accept their African American History Month proclamation?  It starts at six and will be preceded by an art exhibition on the third floor.” I thanked him for the heads up and promised to get there as soon as I could.

 Well as it typically is it is for Bill Willis, not only was he there with one of paintings, but the impeccably dressed Willis was there to accept the Commissioners proclamation.

Continue reading Introducing Professor Bill (“Paul Revere”) Willis – by Terry Howard →

Advisors, Authors A-H, Gender, Race & Ethnicity, Religious Diversity

Renewing Diversity #13: Diversity History as a Foreign Country – by Carlos Cortés

In his mesmerizing novel, The Go-Between, L. P. Hartley wrote one of the finest opening lines of any novel I have ever read:  “The past is a foreign country; they do things differently there.”

That certainly holds true for the historical trajectory of diversity.  At age 91, I’ve lived through myriad changes in the American diversity landscape.  As we wrestle with ongoing, inevitable challenges faced by the diversity movement, it behooves us to thoughtfully consider our past trajectory.  Yet to actually learn from that trajectory, we need to recognize how our presentist lenses can distort the very past that we are trying to understand.

Continue reading Renewing Diversity #13: Diversity History as a Foreign Country – by Carlos Cortés →

Advisors, Authors A-H, Race & Ethnicity

Rewriting History: Playing the Race Card – by Terry Howard

 ‘DEI Hire’ and other dog whistles 

I have something to say and will say it on a few issues I’ll get to shortly. 

Why me? Well, I guess it is because I’m blessed with several platforms to educate, elevate, cajole, annoy, encourage, or enrage based on what happens to crop in the latest news or on the sociopolitical menu. And this is a privilege I don’t take for granted. If I win or lose friends, well so be it. It comes with the territory. 

Now class, pull out your notebooks and ready yourselves for a lecture beginning with how one migrates from “Rewriting” to “Revealing” to “Amending” History. After lunch, we’ll switch to “Responding to the ‘playing the race card’ nonsense then finish up with boogeyman number three, dubbing someone a “diversity hire.” 

Continue reading Rewriting History: Playing the Race Card – by Terry Howard →

Advisors, Authors A-H

The legacy of Dr. Gladys West – by Terry Howard  

Gladys West “Thanks homegirl,” I said to myself as I left the car’s garage and punched my hotel’s address into my GPS. I thanked her again after the GPS she developed guided me through heavy California traffic and back roads and got me safely to my hotel. And thanks to your legacy, Dr. West, I’m proud and delighted to kick off African American History Month with your incredible story.

Now if anyone is as insecure as I am when you’re about to drive to some unfamiliar place, you’re probably quick to rely on your destination’s address in your GPS. Yes?  No? 

Continue reading The legacy of Dr. Gladys West – by Terry Howard   →

Advisors, Authors A-H, Race & Ethnicity

Black History: A Personal and Historical Reflection – by Gail Dawson

Origins and Significance of Black History Month

In February 1926, Carter G. Woodson initiated the celebration of Black History Week to honor the achievements and contributions of Black Americans, which had largely been overlooked in mainstream history. Woodson specifically chose February to coincide with the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass, which fall on February 12th and 14th, respectively. Fifty years later, in 1976, the observance was officially expanded to cover the entire month of February. Subsequently, in 1986, Congress passed Public Law 99-244, formally designating February as National Black History Month.

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Advisors, Authors A-H, Books, Trends 2026

26 Tiny Paintbrushes 2.0? Well not so fast! – by Terry Howard

What began eight years ago at a local coffee shop with casual conversations between frequent customers evolved into a realization by several of us that we had a shared interest in books and in writing. And before we knew it others who eavesdropped into our conversations from nearby tables asked to join us in our talk about books and writing. Thus, the birth of the “26 Tiny Paintbrushes” writers guild launched by then resident Naomi Tapia and yours truly. 

Continue reading 26 Tiny Paintbrushes 2.0? Well not so fast! – by Terry Howard →

Advisors, Authors A-H, Black-Jewish Dialogue

Recharging African and Jewish American Dialogues – by Terry Howard

“I don’t know if you watched it or not, but this year’s Dr. Martin Luther King Day celebration at Ebenezer Baptist Church here in Atlanta was awesome,” I said to Deborah Levine, Founder/Editor-in-Chief of the American Diversity Report.  Continue reading Recharging African and Jewish American Dialogues – by Terry Howard →

Advisors, Authors A-H, Trends 2026

Defining the Role of Language, Culture, National Identity – by Deborah Ashton

Introduction

On December 21, 2025, The Harvard Crimson published an article reporting that the Harvard Salient’s board of directors suspended the conservative student magazine in October 2025 due to racist and anti-Semitic rhetoric. In addition, a Harvard Salient author claimed, “Germany belongs to the Germans, France to the French, Britain to the British, America to the Americans.” When confronted with evidence that this statement echoed Adolf Hitler’s 1939 speech, the author defended himself by citing ignorance. This incident showcases the use of patriotism as a veneer for alt-right nationalism, recalling Samuel Johnson’s 1775 assertion that “Patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel.” While this does not necessarily label the young writer as a scoundrel, the situation raises important questions about who defines national identity and underscores the need to differentiate nationalism from far-right or white nationalist movements.

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Authors A-H, Trends 2026

10 Personal Anti-Racism Intentions for 2026 – by Sharon Hurley Hall

I don’t believe in New Year’s Resolutions, which makes it ironic that I’m writing for this particular feature of the ADR website. But I DO believe in setting intentions, and following them up with focused, purposeful action, and the start of the year is a great time to do that. 

As an activist, author and educator, these intentions guide how I show up in the world in line with my values of integrity, empowerment, transparency and equality and my commitment to community as we fight oppression together. That said, here are my intentions for the coming year.

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Advisors, Authors A-H, Inclusion, Tech & AI, Trends 2026

Renewing Diversity Part 12:  Diversity and the AI Frenzy – by Carlos Cortés

During 2025 few trends, if any, received more attention than developments in artificial intelligence.  You can hardly pick up a magazine or listen to a newscast without hearing something about AI.  However, I have encountered relatively little addressing the intersection of AI and diversity. 

What might AI mean for diversity?  What can diversity advocates do to address the implications of AI?  Questions range from the ethical to the practical.  In this column I will focus on one question: what are some of the diversity implications arising from the creation of AI databases and the resulting “information” that they supply when prompted?

Continue reading Renewing Diversity Part 12:  Diversity and the AI Frenzy – by Carlos Cortés →