Shaun Harper and Royel Johnson named Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Accessibility Visionaries by the Los Angeles Times

USC Rossier University Professor Shaun Harper and Associate Professor Royel Johnson have been named 2024 Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Accessibility (DEIA) Visionaries by the Los Angeles Times B2B Publishing.

DEIA Visionaries were selected “based on submissions of hundreds of nominated DEIA professionals and experts” and consist of “the most prominent game changers and thought leaders in the business world today.” According to the Los Angeles Times, the visionaries’ work has inspired Southern California and beyond as they continue to provide guidance to their own organizations and the business community. The publication shared brief profiles for each honoree highlighting their careers and recent successes.

“It is an honor to once again be recognized by one of the nation’s leading news outlets for my work,” said Harper. “When I founded the USC Race and Equity Center, we established a mission to illuminate, disrupt, and dismantle racism in all its forms. This mission has been my beacon, guiding me every day as I work to advance DEIA efforts throughout our nation. While I deeply appreciate this accolade, I assure you that I will never get complacent and will continue to work with an unrelenting will and determination to transform institutions and individuals to combat marginalization and ensure all backgrounds, ideas and voices are heard and appreciated in our society.”

Harper is Provost Professor of Education, Business and Public Policy, the Clifford and Betty Allen Chair in Urban Leadership and the USC Race and Equity Center founder and executive director. In addition to advising CEOs and leaders on DEI strategy, Harper teaches courses on DEIA in his three academic schools at USC. For the past two decades, he has worked with more than 400 companies, agencies and institutions spanning an array of industries. In addition to his prolific research, Harper’s unwavering commitment to equity earned him numerous awards and recognition as one of the nation’s most influential educators in the field of education.

“As coordinated attacks aimed at stymieing progress on DEIA initiatives continue to mount across the nation, I am as determined as ever to continue working to advance DEIA efforts through my role as a researcher and educator,” said Johnson. “It is an honor to be recognized as a DEIA Visionary alongside my fellow honorees, all of whom are making significant strides in enhancing material workplace conditions for underrepresented groups. Together, we are working to advance an equity agenda that recognizes and respects all voices and backgrounds. I believe this work is fundamental to achieve a truly healthy and vibrant society.”

Johnson is a tenured faculty member with a joint appointment in USC Rossier School of Education and at USC Dworak-Peck School of Social Work. He chairs the PhD in Education program at USC Rossier and is faculty member in USC Pullias Center for Higher Education. In addition, he directs the National Assessment of Collegiate Campus Climates (NACCC) in the USC Race and Equity Center, which is the nation’s leading tool for assessing campus racial climate for faculty, staff and students. A nationally-recognized DEI scholar, consultant and speaker, Johnson works with numerous campuses and organizations to study and advise on issues related to campus and workplace climate, and organizational change for racial equity.

In September, Harvard Education Press published Johnson’s and Harper’s newest book, The Big Lie About Race in America’s Schools.

“Congratulations to Shaun Harper and Royel Johnson for once again being named DEIA Visionaries,” said USC Rossier Dean Pedro Noguera. “Their tireless work has earned them this honor, and Shaun and Royel’s dedication to creating an inclusive and welcoming work environment is inspiring. Thank you for your outstanding work and congratulations once again on this well-deserved recognition.”

USC Rossier is at the forefront of equity and more importantly educational equity. Last year, USC Rossier launched the USC Rossier Education Equity Initiative building on the school’s focus on educational equity from the earliest grades through college. The Initiative connects the research expertise of the school’s faculty with the work students and alumni are doing in the field. To learn more, visit USC Rossier Education Equity Initiative.