Dr. Adrienne L. Coleman
Speaker | Researcher | DEI Expert
About
Dr. Adrienne Coleman, an innovative, creative, problem-centered, and equity-minded leader, speaker, and researcher, serves as the Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) at the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy (IMSA). In this role, she is responsible for assessing potential barriers and developing strategies focused on diverse talent acquisition/retention, designing training initiatives on cultural competency, implicit bias, stereotype threat, and other topics designed to increase awareness, as well as implementing related DEI policies and strategic plans.
Not only has she influenced practices at IMSA, but she is also an entrepreneur. Her company, Candid Conversations Matter has assisted educational institutions, social-service organizations, law enforcement, government agencies and international groups in moving Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion forward.
Previously, she worked at Rutgers University as a Program Development Specialist, Research Assistant and Adjunct Faculty with the Bloustein School of Public Health as well as at Illinois State University as a Health Educator. She served as an AmeriCorps member and was part of the United States delegation team that assisted Moldova (Eastern Europe) in addressing issues of human trafficking and inadequate health education. Resulting from her contributions to the diversity space and equity-focused research, Dr. Coleman was the recipient of the 2021 Midwest and Plains Equity Center Innovator Award, 2020 ISU Alumni of the Year Award, 2018 IMSA Presidential Leadership Award, the 2018 Top Ladies of Distinction Hidden Figures Award, the Leon Lederman Scholar’s Award for year’s 2013 – 2018, the 2016 NAACP Trailblazer in Education Award, and the IMSA 2012 E = MC2 award.
Her areas of interest include educational equity, public health, social justice, and higher/gifted education. She has examined strategies to address inequities that exist in the STEM education to career pipeline as well as the motivation of Black and Latino students to engage in this STEM pipeline. This resulted in the development of the D-STEM Equity Model, a comprehensive approach to diversifying the STEM education to career pipeline, from a racial perspective. Her research has informed STEM programs throughout the nation including the National Institute of Health Scholars Program, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, James R. Jordan Foundation, and the American Statistical Association; and shared in the global space at the Athens Institute for Education and Research STEAM Symposium, the International Student Science Fair and the International Lactation Consultant Association Annual Conference. Dr. Coleman’s most recent publication in the Athens Journal of Education shares the E2: Equity and Excellence Framework, a pathway to advance educational equity. She hopes to contribute to the education and economic development of culturally, linguistically, and economically diverse communities throughout the world by addressing inequities as well as continuing and sharing her diversity, equity, and inclusion-focused research.
Dr. Adrienne Coleman possesses a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Argosy University and a Master of Science in Health Education as well as a Master of Science in Higher Education, both from Illinois State University. In addition, she possesses a Bachelor of Science in Health Education from Eastern Illinois University.
Research
Candid Conversations Matter Research:
- E2: Equity and Excellence Framework. Athens Journal of Education. Retrieved from link
- D-STEM Equity Model: Diversifying the STEM Education to Career Pathway. Athens Journal of Education. Retrieved from link
- “YES, STEM is for ALL: Diverse Perspectives on Black and Latino STEM Motivation”. Available at: link
- Parent’s Perspective on Diversifying the STEM Education to Career Pipeline: Motivating Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Gifted/Talented Students to engage in STEM. IAGC Journal. Available at: link
- The Racial Identity Conflict: Diverse Perspectives on the Minimization of the STEM Education Gap that Impacts Gifted and Talented Black Male Students! IAGC Journal. Available at: link
- “The Extent of Implicit Bias in Gifted Students: Utilization of the IAT to Inform Diversity Education”. IAGC Journal. Available at: link
- “The Authentic Voice of Gifted and Talented Black Males Regarding Their Motivation to Engage in STEM”. IAGC Journal. Available at: link
- “IS STEM FOR ALL? Perspectives of Black and Latino Students on STEM Motivation”. IAGC Journal. Available at: link
- “The IMSA© PROMISE: Diverse Perspectives Do Enrich Understanding! Understanding Our Gifted”. IAGC Journal. Available at: link
- “The IMSA© PROMISE: Igniting and Nurturing Diverse STEM Talent”. IAGC Journal. Available at: link
- “A View Through a Different Lens: Photovoice as a Tool for Student Advocacy”. The Journal of American College Health. Available at: link
TRACI ELLIS, JD (Co-Founder)
Traci O’Neal Ellis, JD is an award-winning, Chicago-area-based Chief Equity Officer, attorney, HR executive, and frequent speaker on race, law, politics, equity, and radically inclusive leadership. She is also a fierce advocate for social justice. She earned her degrees from the School of Business & Industry at Florida A&M University and The Ohio State University, College of Law. Traci is licensed to practice law in Georgia and Illinois.
Traci is a sought-after keynote speaker, workshop facilitator, and consultant, with a long client list across the K-20 education, nonprofit, government and for-profit sectors, specifically on creating sustainable organization change through becoming a culturally competent, equity-grounded, inclusive and diverse organization. Traci utilizes her expertise to assist clients with improving HR processes, especially the talent acquisition and management processes, all through an equity lens.
Traci’s expertise is in:
- DEI and Anti-racism Workshops
- Data-informed DEI Policy Development
- Data-informed DEI Strategic Planning
- Equity-minded Talent Acquisition and HR Management Strategy & Coaching
- Equity (including Racial Equity) Lens Development
- Equity-minded Executive Coaching
- HR Audits
- Board Policy Development & Audits
- Keynote Speaking
Traci is a Qualified Administrator of the Intercultural Development Instrument for assessing individual and organizational cultural competency.
Additionally, Traci is a TEDx speaker (The Exceptional Negro: Fighting to be Seen in a Colorblind World) and the author of The Exceptional Negro: Racism, White Privilege and the Lie of Respectability Politics.
Visit www.traciellis.com for more information.
THE BLACK WOMEN COLLABORATIVE
WHERE DEI AND STRATEGY MEET
The Black Women Collaborative is the result of three independent consultants, with deep strategy and DEI expertise, recognizing the value of collaborating to offer clients a wide range of services, all delivered through an equity lens. Adrienne Coleman, Ed. D., Alexis Thomas, MBA, JD, and Traci O’Neal Ellis, JD are experienced DEI practitioners who bring a combined 40 years of experience in education, government, nonprofit, and for-profit sectors leading workshops, assisting clients in strategic planning, DEI strategies, executive coaching, COVID-19 reopening plans, policy, leadership development, research and more – all through an equity lens. Alexis, Adrienne, and Traci bring not only their professional expertise to clients but also their lived experiences as Black women, which lends credibility, as well as a high level of shared vulnerability, to help inform their work with clients.
Alexis R. Thomas, MBA, JD
Alexis R. Thomas, MBA, JD is a mission-driven and inclusive executive with a passion for strategy, leadership development, and social justice. Alexis is also a National Diversity Trainer, facilitator, and keynote speaker. Throughout her experience, she has trained over 5,000 people in the areas of leadership development, policy and advocacy, coalition building, strategy, and DEI.
Throughout her education and professional experience, Alexis has shown this commitment including: youth, housing, victims of domestic violence, education, and public policy. Alexis holds degrees from Miles College, Indiana Wesleyan University, and Thurgood Marshall School of Law. As the President of The ART Group, LLC, she brings a unique blend of tri-sector experience to her clients; not only meeting them where they are but also seeing where there are opportunities for them to go, leading to internal and external impact.
Her commitment and experience has led to her speaking and training individuals and groups nationally. In addition, she is a respected executive coach working with clients in the non-profit, education, and corporate sectors. She is an Adjunct professor- teaching undergraduate and graduate students about policy, business, and other areas. She has served on and chaired several boards during her volunteer time. Alexis was recognized as one of the 30 top young professionals in the United States by the National Urban League as a Hero in The Movement, and was named an Indy’s Best and Brightest Under 40 Finalist for her impact professionally and in her community. Alexis believes that “if you have a pulse, then you have a purpose”, so she strives to live out her purpose everyday.
Her areas of expertise include:
- Board Development
- DEI
- COVID-19 Re-Opening Plans
- Leadership Development
- Coalition Building
- Community Engagement
- Executive Coaching
- Facilitation
- Training
- Strategy
- Crisis Management
Alexis received her certification in Advanced Business Strategy: Gaining a Competitive Edge from Harvard University
Visit www.the-artgroup.com for more information.
CCM Frameworks
This framework is a comprehensive, research-informed, equity-minded, inclusive pathway towards advancing educational equity that centers the voices of those with the most risk of experiencing inequities. Organizations that want to confront, diminish, and potentially eliminate educational inequities can apply this scalable and adaptable framework.
E2 Equity and Excellence Framework
This model suggests “diversifying STEM policies” need to be developed that mandate funding for racially-based collaborative STEM initiatives to be implemented, that work towards achieving equity by addressing the identified problems collectively and integrating factors of Black and Latinx student STEM motivation into STEM programming as well as encourage culturally responsive STEM educator training.
D-STEM Equity Model
