BALTIMORE, MD - As the Johns Hopkins Department of Athletics & Recreation wraps up a very successful 2023 calendar year, it's continued commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB) engagement for staff continues to grow and expand. Through the diligent work of the DEIB Team (which consists of staff, administrators, and coaches), its goal was to build upon its foundation to educate and empower employees on a wide range of thought provoking discussion topics to ensure the department is best positioned to meet the evolving needs of our students and campus community. 

Spring 2023 offered programming delivered by industry experts that centered on the dynamics of identity as it pertains to gender and race in sport.

Dr. Anna Beth, the Director of Research at Athlete Ally, presented on her work and expertise that examines the intersections of sport, gender, and social justice and her presentation at Johns Hopkins introduced how that dynamic is at play within individual teams and a department as a whole.  She built not only on her research and professional experiences, but also on her time as an accomplished two-sport student-athlete and coach at the collegiate level.

Later in the spring 2023 semester, the department hosted a visit to campus by national thought leader Dr. Ajhanai "AJ" Keaton.  Dr. Keaton studies how race and gender (in)equity shapes organizational structures, norms, and experiences. Currently an Assistant Professor in the University of Louisville's Department of Health and Sports Sciences, Dr. Keaton's scholarship is interdisciplinary, as her examination of sport phenomena intersects with management, higher education, and sociological communities.  At Johns Hopkins, she had the opportunity to present to members of department's coaching and administrative staff and also held an audience with Blue Jay student-athletes.  Dr. Keaton has planned a return visit to Johns Hopkins for the 2024 spring semester, when she will build on her initial presentation and offer more insight and opportunities for growth in the department's continuing effort to build a more inclusive experience for all members of the athletics and recreation program.

Dr. Keaton's visit provided significant momentum that led into 2023 fall semester programming that was centered on celebrating Native American Heritage Month in November with a visit from Leo Nolan of the Johns Hopkins Center for Indigenous Health; Nolan is also the Executive Director of the Haudenosaunee Nationals Lacrosse Organization and spoke in-depth about the Creator's Game and his experience as a student-athlete at Syracuse University.

The Athletics & Recreation Department continues to build strong relationships with campus partners to not only align with University leaders, but also help establish a standard of inclusive excellence for the Homewood Campus.  Notably, Demere Woolway, the Executive Director of Inclusive Excellence Education and Development at Johns Hopkins (and former NCAA Diversity and Inclusion Designee), led a session for the department staff on how to identify and respond to micro-aggressions.

While much has been accomplished in 2023, the department is excited, motivated and inspired to continue its work in 2024 with a commitment to ensure that inclusion remains at the center of who we are and how we support our students.