# @vanderbiltu on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/B8uRX-vBV4k
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/9038140-vanderbiltu-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/thumbnails/99baf9c13b.jpg
- **Posted:** 2020-02-18T21:16:47.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** Vanderbilt University (@VanderbiltU) — https://gondola.cc/VanderbiltU

## Caption

Tara Williams, Executive Assistant to the Vice Chancellor for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion and Chief Diversity officer, is celebrating the accomplishments of African Americans this #BlackHistoryMonth. #HumansofVanderbilt⁣
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Q: Can you elaborate on the role that EDI plays here?⁣
A: We have been the education hub - the place in which training is pushed out to faculty, students, and staff across the university. As of late, though, we have become more of consultants - walking alongside those that are doing the work of equity, diversity, and inclusion and helping them in providing tools and resources to help understand their own biases and help them to be able to educate folks within their areas and departments.⁣
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Q: What does Black History Month mean to you?⁣
A: As an African American, black history isn’t just a month for me, but I think that it is about educating people about the accomplishments of African Americans and a time to celebrate those accomplishments. It’s also a time for reflection - how do we make sure our children of color today know about that journey, the hard work it took, the sacrifice it took, so that they too can move forward and accomplish great things and one day be celebrated during Black History Month.⁣
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Q: What do you think individuals can do to develop a sense of inclusion and belonging within the Vanderbilt community?⁣
A: I think we need to take advantage of the educational opportunities that are out there to help us think about our own biases, but also to help us increase our mindfulness awareness. We should think about what it means to be included, and to truly make sure that when we invite people to conversations that they are included – not just present, but they are actually able to voice their opinions with respect and to receive respect from those in the room and really feel like they are being included in the conversation.⁣
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Q: Is there anything else you would like to say to our audience about Black History Month?⁣
A: I would just reiterate that this is a great time to celebrate all people of color, and it should be just that – a time for celebration.⁣
📸: Social ‘Dore @ty.noir ⁣
#vandygram

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## Tags

humansofvanderbilt, vandygram, blackhistorymonth

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