A Commitment To Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

In acknowledgement of Black History Month, our Vice President of Innovation and External Affairs/Senior Diversity Officer, Dr. Gary Lyon, has prepared the following statement and declaration of commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Here at The Baker Center, we are excited about embracing differences within our organization. We try our best to acknowledge and support each holiday and special occasion. So, this month, we are taking space to celebrate Black History Month by taking notice of the contributions Black people have made and are making within our society. 

I wear many hats within the organization as Vice President of External Affairs, and one role in the organization that I love is being the Senior Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer. This role allows me to teach, train, and inform individuals about the importance of acknowledging, utilizing, and embracing differences using cross-cultural language and multicultural tools to engage people with different ethnic and cultural backgrounds. Also, being a person of color, I am ecstatic to lead this charge as a thought leader and an agent of change in this complex area of diversity, equity, and inclusion.

As we continue to build internal processes and external partnerships focusing on diversity, equity, and inclusion, I charge everyone to take a moment and celebrate differences by honoring and acknowledging Black History Month.