For Women’s History Month, we shine a spotlight on women leaders who are the driving force behind Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, the focal point of this year’s National Women’s History Month.
Professor La’ Meshia Whittington
Q: What are your pronouns?
A: She/Her
Q: What is your job title?
A: President/CEO, The WSC Group, Co-Founder of Democracy Green and The Green Majority, and Adjunct Professor, CNR, NC State University.
Q: What industry do you work in?
A: Non-profit, Corporate, Academia, and Global Affairs.
Q: How do you advocate for equity, diversity, and inclusion in your leadership role?
A: Equity, diversity, and inclusion are at the core of my work, instilled in me from birth. As an Afro-Indigenous woman and a descendant of the Kingdom of the Happy Land, a post-US Slavery settlement in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina and the first Kingdom in United States history, I was taught to learn from Elders, respect and live in harmony with Mother Earth, and prioritize service in uplifting my community. These lessons had equity as a through-line before the word even developed.
Today, I have designed my career and organizations to carry forth these principles. As a global thought leader in environmental, climate justice, water security, and human rights, I develop cutting-edge research that connects the dots between inequitable corporate practices and the disproportionate burden of pollution in Black, brown, and low-wealth communities. My team and I then work directly with these communities through a grassroots model approach to understand their environmental needs. We then strategically educate and connect these impacted communities with key local, state, and federal funding to address the issue of environmental injustice, be it a lack of clean water, polluted air, or a landfill that needs to be excavated. We make it our mission to tackle these issues head-on.
In my view of leadership, we cannot simply talk about equity, diversity, and inclusion. We must take courageous steps to eradicate exclusion and inequity that harm the people most targeted and left behind. These three words are verbs, action terms, and require implementation. As leaders, we must act to ensure equity, diversity, and inclusion are not just words, but a reality for all.
Q: In what ways can community members and organizations actively support your work in the community?
A: Sign up online for our newsletter at www.Democracy-Green.org
Donate at www.Democracy-Green.org
Follow our organizations online and spread the word: Democracy Green (IG, Twitter, and Facebook) and The Green Majority (IG)
If you are aware of a community in need of water quality testing, air quality testing, or another environmental issue that is plaguing the community, please reach out at admin@democracygreen.org and we will schedule a call to discuss those needs and if our organization’s approach is the right fit.
Learn more about Professor Whittington’s work at the links below!
https://www.professorlameshia.com/
https://www.pbs.org/video/local-women-big-impact-celebrating-nc-women-pqnrym/
https://www.democracy-green.org/
By Portia Hackett, Weaver Street Market Social Media Specialist & Outreach Coordinator.