Diversity, Equity & Inclusion A Business Priority
• A special publication of the St. Louis American newspaper • PAGE 1
AUGUST 18 – 24, 2022 w w w . s t l a m e r i c a n . c o m
INSIDE
The Black scholar experience
Charles Stewart
SIUE launches new program to close equity gaps
By SIU Edwardsville
development in construction. The organization’s four guiding principles include: 1. Real world experience. CCDI goes beyond the classroom and places students into real-world work environments for the most valuable career training. 2. Building Awareness. Jobs in construction span a diverse range of disciplines and applications. CCDI works to raise awareness of trade apprentice programs. 3. Job Placement. With CCDI,
Higher education is a powerful engine of social and economic mobility for entire families. Universities also play a critical role in shaping the composition of tomorrow’s workforce and driving economic development. With a new initiative, the Black Scholar Experience, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE) will offer a comprehensive academic program that promotes belonging, academic success and degree completion. “The data have been clear for more than a decade,” said SIUE Chancellor James A Southern IlliT. Minor, nois University PhD. “We Edwardsville know that graduate beams individuals with pride at who obtain commencement a bachelor’s ceremony. degree will earn on average $1M more over their lifetime compared to individuals with only a high school diploma. The economic and democratic fabric of communities is stronger when a great number of citizens, from all backgrounds, have access to postsecondary credentials.” The profound, transformative impact of postsecondary degree attainment is clear, yet equity gaps continue to persist. First-generation, low-income, and students of color, especially African Americans, graduate from college at much lower rates compared to their peers. According to data from the Postsecondary National Policy Institute, in 2019, 29% of African Americans age 25 to 29 held bachelor’s degrees or higher, compared to 45% of whites in the same age range. As the top producer of college
See CCDI, page 21
See SIUE, page 16
Metro Transit is going digital and secure Since April 26, Charles Stewart has served as executive director of Metro Transit, having previously held this position in an interim capacity since January 26.
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Dedric Carter CCDI awards an annual Build Our Future scholarship to top-qualifying high school seniors who exhibit a desire to pursue employment in the construction engineering, architecture and design, project management, informational technology and trades related pathways.
WashU’s vice chancellor of innovation Dedric Carter has served as Washington University in St. Louis’ first vice chancellor for innovation and chief commercialization officer since August 2021.
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Dineo Khabele, MD
‘Paving the way for that next generation’ Dineo Khabele, MD is the first Black department chair, ever, at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, which was founded in 1891. She serves as the Mitchell and Elaine Yanow Professor and Chair of the Department of Obstetrics Gynecology at the medical school.
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CCDI supports workforce diversity Bridges gap in workforce development
Special to The American Established in 2015 in response to the aftermath in Ferguson, Missouri, the Construction Career Development Initiative (CCDI) is a 501(c)(3) non-for-profit created to help young adults in North County overcome barriers to success. Founded by Clayco, the program pairs individuals with mentors; offers financial support; and creates opportunities for job placement in the design and construction industry. CCDI helps bring diversity to the design
n Founded by Clayco, the program pairs individuals with mentors; offers financial support; and creates opportunities for job placement in the design and construction industry. and construction industry by mentoring and exposing minority, under-represented and under-employed young people to career
WWT’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Program Manager, Shannon T. Lassen
“At the End of the Day…Equity is the outcome.”
In 2019, Shannon Lassen was hired as a Diversity, Equity & Inclusion program manager at World Wide Technology.
By Sylvester Brown Jr. The St. Louis American Shannon T. Lassen said she wanted to work for World Wide Technology (WWT) long before she even interviewed for the job. Although she grew up in Houston, Texas, Lassen’s parents are originally from this region. She’s traveled here often throughout her life and was very familiar with all things St. Louis. Lassen said she found the fact that the co-founders of the tech company-David Steward and Jim Kavanaugh-are Black and White men, tremendously appealing. See LASSEN, page 23
Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American