Category Archives: About Us

About the American Diversity Report

Authors I-Q, Social Issues

Catalyze Change and Empower Your Community – by Julie Morris

Try These Purposeful Actions

Are you driven by the desire to create a positive impact in your community? Whether your focus is on social justice, environmental sustainability, or educational reform, there are countless avenues to make a meaningful difference. Engaging in community initiatives not only empowers you but also inspires those around you to contribute to lasting change. By taking deliberate steps, you can transform your passion into tangible outcomes that benefit your community and beyond.

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Advisors, Authors A-H, Race & Ethnicity

Erasing the Tuskegee Airmen from History? – by Terry Howard

1 Comment

Nice try, but no thanks!

In case you missed it, after a strong backlash from scores of others, including military brass and descendants of the Tuskegee Airmen, the United States Air Force quickly reversed its recent move to remove videos featuring the Airmen out of its training programs.  

Okay, with that breaking news, I’m not gonna gloat – well, maybe I will. Just a little bit. I say that because here I am less than 24 hours after I received a message from “Lew,” a lifelong friend. But given that “Lew” is a 5th degree black belt in karate, I was relieved that his expletive-filled email to me wasn’t about anything I’d done or written. No, like scores of others I’d heard from once the news broke, his justifiable anger was ignited by a cockamamie decision to phase out the teaching of the contributions of the Tuskegee Airmen from the U. S. Air Force training curriculum. 

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Authors R-Z, Politics

Why The Ultimate End of TikTok May Not Be On Our Horizon  – by Aron Solomon

The Supreme Court delivered what many believe will be a fatal blow to TikTok in the United States, paving the way for a nationwide ban of the app. But while this decision appears to spell doom for the platform, I strongly disagree with the notion that TikTok’s days in the U.S. are so finitely numbered.

The larger picture here is that TikTok has become an economic and cultural force in the United States. It supports millions of creators, influencers, and small businesses who depend on the platform for their livelihoods. Its ban would ripple across industries tied to digital marketing, e-commerce, and content creation, causing significant economic disruptions. This isn’t just about an app—it’s about the ecosystem it supports, the lives it impacts, and the broader implications for American competitiveness in technology.

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Advisors, Authors A-H, Trends 2025: Chaotic Times

Inclusion and DEI Trends 2025 – by Dr. Deborah Ashton

1,2,3 Analysis

1) 1 or 2 issues that are personally most vital to me in 2025.

I am personally invested in combatting the attack on DEI that is targeting policies and practices in academia and in the workplace—corporate America and government and the deliberate misrepresentation that DEI and meritocracy are dichotomous. When ENRON failed, the right was not blamed for the good old boy, tap on the shoulder, it’s not what you know but who you know selection process. But DEI is blame for a door that fell off a plane and the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge.

My second issue is the voices on the far right and the far left drowning out the voices of the centrist and moderate on both the left and the right. Both the extremists talk at each other, not with each other. The far right refers to anything left of center as Marxist; and the far left refers to anything right of center as fascist.

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Books, Levine articles

Book Signing at Barnes & Noble: The Art of Resilience

          THE ART OF RESILIENCE: From Pain to Promise

Chattanooga, TN: Join Deborah Levine at Barnes and Noble in Hamilton Place on Sunday, September 29 from 2-4pm as she shares her journey to resilience at every level: physical, mental, and spiritual. The true stories of The Art of Resilience demonstrate the power of fierce determination and each story provides helpful lessons learned. Be inspired by the spiritual aspect of these stories  that Deborah has learned from Judaism’s mystic tradition.

“Wow! What an incredible life and book. Deborah Levine is a masterful storyteller who weaves lessons in resilience through her personal experiences. Throughout her life, she has exemplified resilience in her ability to adapt, adjust, and flourish in spite of, or perhaps because of, the many challenges she has faced. Deborah truly mastered The Art of Resilience!” 
~ Dr. Gail A. Dawson: Associate Prof. of Management, Director of Diversity and Inclusion at Gary W. College of Rollins College/U. of Tennessee at Chattanooga 

“Deborah hits another home run with her newest book! She mines her personal history of successes and health setbacks to emphasize lessons for us. We’re easily discouraged today and Deborah is an excellent example of creative overcoming through inner resources, societal cooperation, and divine inspiration. Where most would have given up, Deborah set goals, achieved them, and then set new goals to improve community and the world. If you’re discouraged, read her book and try these lessons.”
~ Marc Brenman: Former Exec. Director of Washington State Human Rights Commission, served with the Office for Civil Rights of the U.S Dept. of Education.

“The Art of Resilience: From Pain to Promise is a compelling exploration of the human spirit’s capacity to overcome adversity and transform suffering into strength. The book, written by someone deeply familiar with the challenges of life, delves into the personal stories, psychological insights, and practical strategies that empower individuals to not just survive difficult times but to thrive in the face of them.”
~ Zen Benefield : passionate coach dedicated to guiding individuals toward personal and professional transformation. 

About the Author – Deborah J. Levine
Deborah is author of 20 books, Founder/Editor of American Diversity Report, Forbes Magazine top Diversity & Inclusion Trailblazer, and Holocaust documentary creator. Awards include: SoLit Local Distinguished Author Award, Books for Peace, Women’s Federation for World Peace, Religion Communicators Council, National Catholic Press Assoc.

Advisors, Authors A-H, Trends 2025: Chaotic Times

Renewing Diversity #4: Pivoting to the Future – by Carlos Cortés

Somewhere during my ninety-year journey I developed a three-line, fifteen-word personal action mantra.  It goes like this.

“Look unflinchingly at the past.
Apply it to the present.
Then pivot to the future.”

So when I think about diversity in 2025, I think about pivoting for renewal, not merely defending the diversity past or doubling-down on current diversity strategies.   That’s why my current  ADR column series is entitled Renewing Diversity.  As circumstances of the past few years have made abundantly clear, the diversity movement is long overdue for renewal, lest it relegate itself into footnote status in the long course history.

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Advisors, Authors R-Z, Trends 2025: Chaotic Times

TRENDS 2025: Inclusive Excellence – by Julia Wai-Yin So

My 1,2,3 ANALYSIS

) 1 or 2 issues that are personally most vital to me in 2025.

For decades at the end of the Fall semester, faculty, staff, and students from colleges and universities in the nation leave the campus to enjoy the winter holiday. This year, many of them left with a sense of uncertainty, unsure how lives would be when they return in the spring.  I live in New Mexico—an immigrant and woman friendly state. I work for a public state university that, for over a century, has proudly opened its campus to faculty, staff, and students of various backgrounds. Most meaningfully, I work for the Division for Equity and Inclusion that runs programs to ensure everyone is treated with respect and dignity. My personal motto–Inclusive Excellence—aims to understand, respect, appreciate, and value each individual’s background and what they bring to our community. Inclusive Excellence is not just vital to my wellbeing as well as my professional growth, it is vital to our nation’s strength and world leadership.

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Academic Articles, Advisors, Authors A-H

Glossary: Terms Related to Diversity – by Marc Brenman

The following definitions are designed to accompany studies and materials on diversity, equity, equal opportunity, and nondiscrimination. The intent is to provide a common understanding to facilitate discussion and a common ground for discourse and action. The nature of the civil and human rights field, as well as human resources, is such that understandings change over time,  circumstances, and technological developments. Hence these definitions are subject to change, and in the spirit of the need for a common understanding, feedback is welcome, as well as suggestions for additional terms that need defining. 

Glossary of Terms Related to
Diversity, Equity, and Equal Opportunity

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Authors R-Z, Trends 2025: Chaotic Times

Companies not backing down on DEI – by Nancy Levine Stearns

Last week, the New York Times published a story, headlined: “D.E.I. on the Ropes Ahead of the Next Trump Era: Corporate policies concerning diversity, equity and inclusion, already under pressure from conservatives, are facing greater threats from allies of the president-elect.” 

What the Times and other media outlets are largely neglecting to report is that far more corporations are standing strong on their DEI initiatives than the handful that are caving to pressure ahead of the next Trump era.

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Academic Articles, Authors A-H, Trends 2025: Chaotic Times

Tennessee Plan for a Local-Global Future – By Bob Edwards

Introduction

What a privilege to have spent a hot three weeks in Memphis, Tennessee, with the 2024 Class of the Tennessee Governor’s School for International Studies. I was overjoyed to return to the city where some of the world’s greatest industries have been launched serving the noble cause of freedom joined with prosperity.  Which led us to consider the future your generation can bequeath to your descendants.  There are some mighty, simple lessons I’ve drawn that ought to inspire you to make a positive difference in the lives of everyone you encounter.  I’d like to take you on a tour of the future world you may wish to inhabit.

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