Laura Morgan Roberts pens message to black women scholars in Diverse magazine

August 31, 2020


Center for Positive Organizations (CPO) faculty affiliate Laura Morgan Roberts writes “A Message to Black Women Scholars and Our Allies” in Diverse, a news magazine focused on higher education.

Roberts and co-author Patricia Faison Hewlin acknowledge the emotions of black women scholars as they risk professional and social consequences to speak truth to power, all the while knowing their academic contributions are less likely to be recognized and rewarded.

The researchers say they have hope and encourage other black women scholars not to give up, but ask: “As the summer of 2020 ends and a new school year begins, we raise the question: will diversity, equity and inclusion remain on our agendas with actionable steps that are well-sustained in years to come?”

Roberts is a Professor of Practice at the University of Virginia. Her book, Race, Work and Leadership: New Perspectives on the Black Experience, was published by the Harvard Business Review Press.

Hewlin is an associate professor of Organizational Behaviour at McGill University. She addressed the topic of authenticity during the 2019-2020 Positive Links speaker series hosted by the Center for Positive Organizations.