Eradicating Systemic Racism and Promoting Social Justice

The University of Memphis is committed to academic excellence via diversity and aims to become a national model of institutional transformation to address the challenges of race and social justice magnified during these unprecedented times. UofM President M. David Rudd announced in an email to the campus community a reform and change initiative designed to target the Eradication of Systemic Racism and Promotion of Social Justice within the University and larger community. It is a transformative initiative that will involve and impact all major levels of University programming, alumni, regional and national engagement.

Daphene R. McFerren, executive director of the Benjamin L. Hooks Institute for Social Change, Dr. Karen Weddle-West, vice president of student academic success/director of diversity initiatives, and Linda G. Hall, associate dean of Multicultural Affairs, are providing guidance, infrastructure and oversight of this initiative. They have created 14 focus areas and workgroups that will be co-led by a carefully selected, diverse group of faculty, staff, students, alumni and community and corporate leaders.