Diversity 101 will be discussed during the next speaker event in the OSU Institute of Technology virtual Diversity Learning Series.

The OSUIT Diversity & Inclusion Committee is proud to welcome the president and chief executive officer for the Oklahoma Center for Community and Justice, Moises Echeverria, on Jan. 21 at 3 p.m. via Zoom.

This is a free event available to all OSUIT students, faculty and staff.

“As more individuals and organizations realize the importance of inclusion and as the national climate highlights the need for equality, it can be challenging to know where to begin,” said Echeverria. “This introductory presentation will focus on creating a foundation where diversity and inclusion efforts, both at the individual and organizational levels, can grow.”

Echeverria first became acquainted with OCCJ, an organization dedicated to achieving respect and understanding for all people, in 2002 as a program participant. He then served as a board member and volunteer, and subsequently as staff.

He has a bachelor’s in Business Administration from Oklahoma State University in Stillwater and a master’s in Human Relations from The University of Oklahoma. His passion for social justice, education, and giving back to the community is reflected in the service he has given to numerous organizations. Echeverria currently serves on the Tulsa City-County Library Commission as a Mayoral appointment. He also serves in the Oklahoma Advisory Committee of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, Leadership Oklahoma Board, Tulsa Honor Academy Board and Tulsa Public Schools Community Advisory Committee. Echeverria is a graduate of Leadership Tulsa, Class 54 and Leadership Oklahoma, Class 32.

He has received multiple awards for his work in the community, including the Russell Bennett Award by Tulsa Metropolitan Ministry, the Circle of Friends in Service Award by The Links Incorporated, Impacto Hispanic Young Professional of the Year Award by the Tulsa Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and The Oklahoma Human Rights Award by the Oklahoma Human Rights Alliance. In 2018 Moises was recognized by Oklahoma Magazine as one of four Oklahomans of the Year.

Echeverria hopes the presentation will create shared definitions of critical components of diversity and inclusion and discover the basic tenants of inclusive leaders.

“We are experiencing a very polarized national climate. Individuals who want to move diversity and inclusion forward need to have the skills and knowledge to help all individuals move forward in their journeys of becoming more inclusive,” he said. “They also need to break away from silos and echo chambers and begin to build bridges.”

The committee is planning for the Diversity Learning Series to be a once-a-month event via Zoom. They anticipate the series will continue through the spring trimester, at some point resuming in-person events.

For more information about the speaker or to RSVP, please visit the Diversity & Inclusion website page.