Category Archives: About Us

About the American Diversity Report

Advisors, Trends 2025: Chaotic Times

Trends 2025: Our ADR 1,2,3 Analyses 

ADR

The Trends category has become an annual theme for the January and February issues of the ADR. We set the tone for your articles with a preview article like this one. For many of us, including Advisory Board members of the American Diversity Report, the new year and incoming administration brings a level of uncertainty and concern. There are many questions about the impact on those actively engaged in the work of creating and fostering diverse and inclusive communities and organizations. 

Anticipating 2025, several of our Advisors shared their innermost thoughts and concerns, plus their personal goals in continuing and building on progress during what portends to be challenging times. They have set the tone for your comments and articles on 2025 trends.

Continue reading Trends 2025: Our ADR 1,2,3 Analyses  →

Advisors, Authors R-Z, Trends 2024: Divisive World

AI and Inclusive Economic Development – by Lorne Steedley

Today the topic of artificial intelligence (AI) and economic growth is the headlines of news, and social media all over the world. As the Vice President for Diversity and Inclusive Growth at Chattanooga Chamber of Commerce, I’m keenly aware of the challenges facing historically marginalized small businesses in our city. Our organization is committed to ensuring that all businesses can be productive and profitable. That’s why I’m excited about the potential for  AI to stimulate economic growth by helping businesses thrive.

Continue reading AI and Inclusive Economic Development – by Lorne Steedley →

Advisors, Levine articles, Trends 2024: Divisive World

Our Divisive World Part 1: Conversation with Deborah Levine, Terry Howard, Carlos Cortés

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Deborah: I’m getting multiple emails and phone calls disturbed and distressed about today’s divisive world. Colleagues ask about what can and should be done to counter the current trends. One of the emails that stands out is from Terry Howard, one of our American Diversity Report Advisors. 

Terry: “Hey Deborah, considering the on-going Israel-Hamas conflict and its seismic increases in acts of antisemitic and Islamophobia in the United States, what are your thoughts about developing something highlighting divisive/hurtful words and language that divides? For example, I’m not sure that many people are familiar with the history behind the expression, “From river to sea,” and language used to disparage Palestinians.”

Deborah: Talk about controversy! For the Jewish people, the phrase “From river to sea” means the elimination of Israel and replacement by a Palestinian nation. For Palestinians, I believe it means freedom from occupation. What prompted your interest in this difficult subject?

Continue reading Our Divisive World Part 1: Conversation with Deborah Levine, Terry Howard, Carlos Cortés →

Advisors, Authors A-H

“Race” Remains a Four-letter Word – by Terry Howard  

“Just as I thought Howard, you’re a racist,” was “Karen’s” message. My initial suspicion was that she fitted the description of the “Karen” caricature that’s become synonymous with white woman these days who call the cops on innocent Black folks who are caught walking in the “wrong” neighborhood, barbequing burgers in “our park,” or otherwise just being Black in the U.S.

As is the usual tactic with people like “Karen,” she slammed the door on an opportunity for me to respond with: “I have nothing else to say to you Howard, so goodbye.”

Continue reading “Race” Remains a Four-letter Word – by Terry Howard   →

Advisors, Authors A-H, Trends 2024: Divisive World

Israeli-Palestinian Conflict – by David B. Grinberg

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 Constructive Communication is Precursor for Peace 

As a Jewish American, I am an unwavering supporter of Israel’s unequivocal right to exist as the internationally recognized homeland for the Jewish people.

However, I also agree that the Palestinian people in the West Bank and Gaza Strip deserve their own internationally recognized sovereign state. This is also the position of President Biden and the U.S. government.

Therefore, rather than continuing heated and offensive back-and-forth arguments — which only seem to solidify opposing views — the two sides need to build a semblance of consensus as a precursor for any peace talks.

Continue reading Israeli-Palestinian Conflict – by David B. Grinberg →

Advisors, Authors A-H

Dr. Carlos Cortés – The Gift That Keeps on Giving (Part 3) – by Terry Howard

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Carlos Cortes
ADR Advisor Dr. Carlos Cortes

If you’ve been following this series, you’ll recall that in Part One we highlighted the incredible career of Dr. Carlos Cortés. In Part Two, we shared several questions with his answers as a follow up. We now conclude the series with his answers to a few more questions we posed to Carlos.

Long history short, Carlos is currently the Edward A. Dickson Emeritus Professor of History and co-director of the Health Equity, Social Justice, and Anti-Racism curriculum of the School of Medicine at the University of California, Riverside. As admitted to earlier, this is just a miniscule snapshot of his extensive curriculum vitae, let alone the books he’s authored and awards he’s earned over the decades.

Continue reading Dr. Carlos Cortés – The Gift That Keeps on Giving (Part 3) – by Terry Howard →

G 100 Women Leaders, Levine articles

TN Chapter of G100 Women Leaders – by Deborah Levine

Inter-cultural Dialogue for Equity

I’m honored to be the Tennessee State Chair of the Inter-Cultural Dialogue Wing of G100 Women Leaders / All Ladies League. I hope to bring together women making a difference in our state. It reminds me of when I founded the Women’s Council on Diversity and the Global Leadership Class more than 20 years ago. Let’s go again: Crosscultural boundaries Locally & Globally – Instruct & Inspire!  (Let me know if this interests you.)

G100 is a huge action-think tank that comprises 100 wings/sectors, led by 100 Global Chairs  like Dr. Aurora Martin who is Global Chair/Inter-Cultural Dialogue and Advisors like Global Advisor/Inter-Cultural Dialogue Shon Abegaz. The Chairs further nominate 100 country chairs in 100 countries for global reach and impact. Country chairs, like Monica Jaramillo who is the USA Country Chair/Inter-cultural Dialogue,  then foster communities of 100 members directly or through further distributed leadership of region/state/city/district chairs.

G100 is a powerful Group of women leaders and achievers from all walks of life who wish to give back and move us all forward as architects of the future. It’s a league of luminaries of eminence and excellence including Nobel Laureates, Heads of States, Ministers, Businesswomen, Philanthropists, Investors, Entrepreneurs, CEOs, Corporate and Community Leaders – like me.

Continue reading TN Chapter of G100 Women Leaders – by Deborah Levine →

Authors R-Z, Education, Trends 2024: Divisive World

Israel and Free Speech on America’s Campuses – by Elwood Watson

VIEW FROM BEYOND THE TRIBE

Debates over free speech have deeply immersed themselves into the fabric of our culture over the past few years. Wild and sharp finger-pointing has gone in both directions.

A Cornell University junior accused of posting violently threatening statements against Jewish people on campus was held without bail. While we take some measure of relief in knowing that the alleged author of the vile anti-Semitic posts that threatened our Jewish community is in custody, it was disturbing to learn that he was a Cornell student, Cornell President Martha E. Pollack said in a message to the university community.

On college campuses, pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian student groups are weighing in online and in person, with many of their statements and protests provoking strong reactions from the other side.

Continue reading Israel and Free Speech on America’s Campuses – by Elwood Watson →

Advisors, Trends 2024: Divisive World

10 Strategies for Leadership in Divisive Times – by Marc Brenman

There are a great many extremely difficult challenges facing humanity in near-future years. How can leaders be assisted in navigating these challenges? Some of the leaders are causing or exacerbating the challenges, and so can’t be helped. Other of the challenges are lead by long term trends or technological developments. So for many of the challenges, there isn’t much hope. National culture change in a positive direction is extremely difficult, and is usually overcome by ideology, climate, geography, evil, natural resources, culture, and technology. Each has its own trajectory. Artificial intelligence provides a good example—can effective intervention be obtained before the technology runs away?

Continue reading 10 Strategies for Leadership in Divisive Times – by Marc Brenman →

Advisors, Authors A-H, LGBTQ

Diversity and Speech Part 41: Detransitioning Transgender Individuals after Death – by Carlos Cortés, Stephenson Brooks Whitestone

Carlos:  Hi, Stephenson.  Thanks for taking the time to discuss your pioneering transgender research.  It certainly provides an illuminating perspective that goes well beyond the media fixation on bathrooms, sports, and grooming.  How did this fascinating research journey begin?

Stephenson:  Those are still important topics, but my interest in post-mortem identities began before graduate school when I attended several memorials for trans people.  I could not help but notice the arbitrary way in which the deceased’s gender identity was assigned.  Usually these memorials reflected their family’s preferences rather than the way the deceased would have defined themselves.   Then in graduate school I encountered the concept of end-of-life (EOL) communication.   I concluded that end-of-life communication intersected with the use of public memorial expressions, such as gravestones, obituaries, and funerals.

Continue reading Diversity and Speech Part 41: Detransitioning Transgender Individuals after Death – by Carlos Cortés, Stephenson Brooks Whitestone →