Hello GDO Members,
Here is a press release from the Diversity Collegium (contacts: Lynda
White, President, and Julie O’Mara, Emeritus). Thanks to Stella Nkomo for
sharing.
Best Regards,
Dianne Murphy
GDO Listserv Manager
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
*****
PRESS RELEASE: For Immediate Release
Contact: Diversity Collegium Members:
Lynda White, President, (416-358-6315),
lynmcwhite@aol.com
Julie O’Mara, Emeritus, (702-541-8920),
Julie@omaraassoc.com
DECATUR, GA: Dr. R. Roosevelt Thomas, Jr., D.B.A, a founding member of the
Diversity Collegium, and considered one of the founders of the field that
has come to be known as Diversity and Inclusion, died suddenly on May 17,
2013. The funeral will be 11:00 am, May 24, which would have been his 69th
birthday, at the Friendship Baptist Church in Atlanta, Georgia.
(See obituaries: Carl M. Williams Funeral directors website:
http://www.carlmwilliams.com/obits/obituary.php?id=298187; Atlanta Journal
Constitution website:
http://bit.ly/17VOMCa)
In a career that spanned almost 30 years, Dr. Thomas is considered
to be the foremost thought leader in the diversity arena. His initial
approach, diversity management, evolved into the rubric of the Strategic
Diversity Management ProcessTM, which helped many organizational leaders
make quality decisions in the midst of diversity, develop diversity-capable
managers, foster collaboration and innovation, and achieve desired business
outcomes.
His impact reached hundreds of organizations and thousands of
people through his consulting firm, Roosevelt Thomas Consulting and
Training, as well as through his speeches and presentations at leadership,
management, and diversity conferences over the years. At the time of his
death, he was filled with energy and excitement about continuing his work
and contributing to the field.
Sid Reel, a Diversity Collegium member, recalls being inspired
by "Roosevelt's brilliance [as a leader] and courageous humility" as she
began her journey as a new diversity manager at Pacific Bell in 1993. "I
treasure the precious few moments we conversed about the world we wanted
that includes and respects everyone."
Nene Molefi, a Collegium member based in South Africa, points to
one of the most profound accomplishments of Dr. Thomas—his ability to
integrate diversity management into the mainstream of organisational
life. "Back in the early nineties his definition of diversity as
a 'collective mixture of differences & similarities' helped me explain the
concept to South African top management, who were just beginning to grapple
with the democratic changes and saw diversity as just an attack on racial
grounds. That definition made leaders to want to listen. His assertion that
good intentions alone are not enough to shift the system remains a great
learning point for many leaders."
In 1984, concerned that American organizations were missing the potential
benefits of a fully contributing diverse workforce, he founded the American
Institute for Managing Diversity as a non-profit research and education
enterprise. The Institute became a seminal source for the new concepts and
strategies associated with diversity management.
Melanie Harrington, former president of AIMD, describes Dr. Thomas
in action as he worked to move and shift the diversity dialogue. "He would
take a transfixed audience on a journey that began with 'conceptual
clarity' and ended with a greater understanding of the 'promise of
diversity.' He would use personal and professional stories to make his
point. He constantly reminded me that the promise for the nation and the
world lies in our willingness and capability to master the 'craft' of
managing diversity. Although he is no longer with us, his legacy and his
words will live on."
In 1990, Dr. Thomas ignited a new way of thinking about diversity
in organizations with his landmark and often-quoted article, From
Affirmative Action to Affirming Diversity (Harvard Business Review, March-
April 1990). This article challenged companies and organizations to move
beyond EEO to the challenges of empowering a diverse workforce. He followed
that article with a best-selling book, Beyond Race and Gender: Unleashing
the Power of Your Total Work Force by Managing Diversity (AMACOM, 1991). He
went on to write six more books, the most recent, World Class Diversity
Management: A Strategic Approach (Berrett-Koehler, 2010), which details the
evolution of his thinking over the years.
Dr. Thomas had become a member of the Authors Cooperative at
Berrett Koehler, the publisher of his last two books. Jamie Showkeir, past
president of the Authors Co-op, describes Roosevelt as "soft spoken, very
intelligent, kind and compassionate—he had a view of diversity that was
unique—diversity was a way of thinking about business, about education,
about life. He embodied the mission of Berrett-Koehler, 'creating a world
that works for all,' more than anyone I have ever met in my life."
In 1991, Dr. Thomas was among a group of progressive African
American consultants who envisioned an informal think tank that might help
advance the fledgling field of diversity. Opting for collegiality, the
group put aside their competitive consulting practices to come together
regularly in what became known as the Diversity Collegium. Dr. Price Cobbs,
also a founding member now Emeritus reminisces: "By joining with Roosevelt
and others to form the Diversity Collegium, we became more trusting
colleagues and warmer friends. We came to share the joy, pain and triumphs
of our work. In no other setting were we able to bare our souls so freely."
Today, the Diversity Collegium continues the think-tank work
envisioned by its founders; it is made up of a diverse group of 17 internal
and external diversity professionals based in four countries and 10
Emeritus members. Dr. Thomas, who had become an Emeritus member in 2012,
joined the group at its most recent meeting in late April in Atlanta,
Georgia.
More of the history of the Diversity Collegium can be found here:
http://diversitycollegium.org/history.html. For a paper on the future of
affirmative action and diversity written by Dr. Thomas, visit this page on
the Collegium website:
http://www.diversitycollegium.org/publications.html).
Dr. Thomas consulted with numerous Fortune 500 companies,
professional firms, government entities, non-profit organizations, and
academic institutions, and he spoke frequently at national conferences and
industry seminars. He also served as secretary of Morehouse College, dean
of the Graduate School of Business Administration at Atlanta University,
assistant professor at the Harvard Business School, and instructor at
Morehouse College.
He was recognized by The Wall Street Journal as one of the top ten
consultants in the country. Recipient of several national awards, he was
elected as a Fellow by the National Academy of Human Resources, was cited
by Human Resource Executive as one of HR’s Most Influential People, and was
awarded the “Distinguished Contribution to Human Resources Development”
Award by the American Society of Training and Development. In addition, he
was honored with the “Trailblazers in Diversity” Award by Bennett College,
and designated an Inaugural “Legends of Diversity” Honoree by the
International Society of Diversity and Inclusion Professionals in 2012.
Dr. Thomas held a D.B.A. in Organizational Behavior from Harvard
University Graduate School of Business Administration; an M.B.A. in Finance
from the University of Chicago Graduate School of Business Administration;
and a B.A. in Mathematics from Morehouse College.
Many people looked to Dr. Thomas or “Dr. T”, as he was lovingly
called by his closest colleagues, as a mentor and collaborative colleague.
Others remember his gentle spirit and commitment to family and community.
Mary-Frances Winters, Collegium Emeritus member describes Dr. Thomas as "an
amazing thought leader, as well as a wonderful, kind and compassionate
person, strong in his faith.” Michael Wheeler, former Collegium member
saw "a great man on so many levels. He enriched the lives of those who
knew him and the world is a better place because of him.” Juan Lopez, also
Collegium Emeritus member was impressed by Roosevelt's humility and
compassion. "I have always thought that many in the practice didn't really
know or appreciate his being. Certainly, his body of knowledge was
available but who he was, less so. His ‘sweet soul’ helped influence a new
field of study and practice. He encouraged and supported many of us — he
was a generous man.” And Collegium member Donna Stringer adds, “Dr.
Thomas' impact on the diversity field is, indeed, legendary."
Lynda White, current Collegium president, fondly remembers a
Collegium meeting where she and Roosevelt were trying to comply with the
agenda to learn a few dance steps performed by an African dance troupe. "We
were both laughing and giggling together at our own ineptitude and I just
so remember his wide smile, laugh and out and out giggle—we so often saw
his more serious and professional side but this was one of the times where
I saw the man who also had a light side and was full of fun!”
And Dr. Thomas' influence has not escaped the younger generations,
exemplified by Joel Brown, a new Collegium member representing Gen
X, "Roosevelt was the Gentle Giant of Diversity: a humble savant, a
gracious leader, and a wonderful example."
"The incredible, ground breaking conceptual contributions to the
field of diversity made by Dr. Roosevelt Thomas would have outlived him
regardless of when he left us," remarks Kay Iwata, Collegium Emeritus
member. "Roosevelt was always five years ahead of the field in his
thinking. He pressed us to reframe how we thought about diversity and the
challenges and opportunities it offered. It is with great sadness we must
say such a premature 'good-bye.'"
For more information about R. Roosevelt Thomas, Jr. and additional
information about funeral services and other events, please check the
Diversity Collegium website frequently for updates:
http://www.diversitycollegium.org. Tribute events and ideas honoring Dr.
Thomas and information will also be posted, so please check frequently for
updates.
For information about the funeral service for Dr. R. Roosevelt Thomas, Jr.,
please visit the Carl M. Williams Funeral Directors website:
http://www.carlmwilliams.com/obits/obituary.php?id=298187
To express condolences, please post on one of two sites:
One is sponsored by the funeral home:
http://www.carlmwilliams.com/obits/obituary.php?id=298187
The other is the Atlanta Journal-Constitution
http://www.legacy.com/guestbooks/atlanta/guestbook.aspx?n=r-
thomas&pid=164849858
The family requests donations in lieu of flowers. Donations may be made to
the Save Our Children Academy, Inc.
http://sosa1.com. Click on the Donate
button to make a donation. Please be sure you are on the Save Our Children
Academy, Inc. and not on a similarly named site. You will notice Judge
Ruby Thomas’ information on the correct site.
Cards to the family may be sent to: The family of R. Roosevelt Thomas, Jr.
c/o Carl M. Williams Funeral Directors, Inc., 492 Larkin St. SW, Atlanta,
GA 30313