Shades of X - Mission Statement
Stand in Solidarity with Shades of X
We, as faculty and staff of Xavier’s affinity group, Shades of X, assert our support for the many voices across the country and world who are protesting racism in all forms. We recognize the pain and trauma that have been inflicted on our communities of color as a result of ongoing systemic racial domination and violence. We are aware of the heavy toll that individualized acts of racism have taken on marginalized communities. We strongly oppose police violence perpetrated against black bodies. The killing of George Floyd is one of far too many tragedies that harken to the horrors of enslavement and Jim Crow and to the continuing legacy of racial discrimination and oppression. We affirm the principles of equity and justice articulated in Fr. Graham’s recent letter to the Xavier community and commit to making Xavier an inclusive, equitable, and supportive environment for all. In accordance with our Jesuit values, we stand in solidarity with the protesters and all those who raise their voices against racism and oppression in the world.
On Friday, June 12, 2020, Xavier’s Shades of X invited the Xavier campus community to join them as a show of our solidarity with the protesters. The protestors lined up along Victory Parkway starting at Dana (maintaining a 6-foot distance).
OUR MISSION
The mission of the Shades of X Affinity Group shall be to enhance the experience and provide support for the Xavier University professional community. Shades of X will work with the Division of Ignatian Belonging, as well as other persons and/or organizations interested in creating and maintaining an environment conducive to inclusivity and belonging at Xavier University. Shades of X is open to all members of the Xavier Community committed to supporting the values of Ignatian Belonging.
Shades of X shall accomplish this through the following objectives:
- Inform the Xavier community aware of issues and concerns of the Nonwhite/Underrepresented community.
- Ensure that the Nonwhite/Underrepresented community has the opportunity to make the fullest contribution to the mission of the university.
- Provide a forum that addresses issues and decisions that affect the Nonwhite/Underrepresented community.
- Encourage and promote the professional development and promotion of the entire Nonwhite/Underrepresented community: Promotion, tenure, and general advocacy.
- Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with various university units, alumni, community groups, and Nonwhite/Underrepresented faculty and staff at other area colleges and universities as well as other Jesuit institutions.
- Educate the University community about all forms of racism and discrimination and multicultural issues.
- Aid Human Resources and Admissions in recruiting and retaining African American faculty, staff, and students.
- Assist the university with developing an institutional culture, climate,
and environment at Xavier University conducive to the optimum growth and development of all its members. Additionally, to assist in the development of an ongoing institutional environmental assessment plan designed to measure the effectiveness of the institutional environment in responding to the needs of all its members and help modify or introduce new assessment instruments as required.
Co-Chairs
- Ayanna Terry, Director of MBA Programs, Williams College of Business
- Matescia Stroud, Assistant Director, Career Development Office
- Audrey Calloway, Senior Designer, Marketing and Communications
- Tamara Serrano Chandler, Diversity & Inclusion Coordinator, The THRIVE Center