Reason & Respect: Promoting diversity and inclusivity through a virtual space  

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. (Oct. 24, 2024) — For four years, Empire State University’s Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion has been holding “Reason and Respect” sessions. The virtual, one-hour discussions are a way for university faculty, staff, and students to explore sensitive topics and diverse perspectives through education.  

“The goal is to create an inviting space where community members can share their identities, celebrate their uniqueness, and learn about one another,” Ade Byron, program manager for the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, said. “It encourages everyone to engage in meaningful conversation that highlight what matters most to our community.”  

Byron said the topics for each session are designed to coordinate with affinity months, designated months recognizing heritage, awareness, history, and appreciation. The Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion will also create specific themes for conversations in collaboration with participating members of the university community and members of the DEI Council and events and communications working group.  

“When organizing a session, we are keeping a lot in mind: ensuring that our participants represent a wide range of perspectives and experiences, emphasizing intersectionality, and fostering an inclusive and accessible dialogue,” Byron said. “We want to create a space where individuals feel safe and comfortable expressing themselves, asking questions, and being vulnerable.”  

The key to creating these sessions is collaboration with the broader university community, DEI council, and events and communications working group. Each session is developed by meeting directly with participants and discussing what they feel is important to share with the university — including points of pride and other topics — giving the university community a chance to hear about personal stories, the need for inclusivity, and the work needed to promote diversity from their peers.  

“I hope the university community takes this opportunity to learn from one another and build meaningful connections through these sessions,” Byron said. “In a virtual environment, it can be challenging to truly get to know the people we share this space with. However, by engaging in intentional conversations about our identities and values, we can open doors to genuine connections and enrich our collective experience through the exchange of knowledge, ideas, and cultures.”