Mission

Advancing Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Change in Communities and Organizations

Drs. Lawrence Burnley and Margaret Spearmon bring over fifty years of combined professional experience in team-building, strategic planning, teaching, workshop facilitation, and administrative leadership in higher education. Inclusive Engagements, LLC provides services of the highest quality for the purpose of equipping individuals, organizations and communities with the capacity to identify and dismantle barriers that prevent them from operating at their fullest potential to achieve and sustain outcomes of excellence.

Meaning of the Adinkra Symbol

black-symbol

BOA ME NA ME MMOA WO

“Help me and let me help you”

Symbol of Cooperation and Interdependence

Source: “Cloth As Metaphor” by G.F. Kojo Arthur

Biographies

burnley

Lawrence Burnley, PhD – President/CEO

Dr. Lawrence Burnley is a nationally recognized leader in advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion. He currently serves as the inaugural Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion at the University of Dayton in Dayton, Ohio. Previously held positions include Associate Vice President for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion & Chief Diversity Officer, and Assistant Professor of History at Whitworth University in Spokane, Washington, Special Assistant to the Provost for Diversity Affairs at Messiah College in Grantham, Pennsylvania, Executive for Racial/Ethnic Relations for Global Ministries of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and the United Church of Christ in Cleveland, Ohio, and Director of the Albert Greenfield Intercultural Center at the University of Pennsylvania, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Dr. Burnley holds a Doctor of Philosophy degree in history of American education with a minor in multicultural issues in education from the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. He also holds a Masters of Divinity degree from Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis, Indiana, and a Bachelor of Arts degree with honors in African American Studies with a concentration in history from the University of Cincinnati.

Dr. Burnley has led numerous cultural immersion trips throughout the world, and has facilitated numerous seminars and workshops with senior administrators, faculty, staff, and students in the areas of a biblically-based understanding of diversity, equity, inclusion inter/cross-cultural dialogue and critical reflection on doing ministry in domestic and global contexts. He has traveled extensively in the U.S. and abroad speaking, participating in conferences or leading mission and cultural immersion related trips to Ghana, Ethiopia, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Egypt, Israel, Palestine, Micronesia, Philippines, Marshal Islands, Taiwan, Korea, Cuba and Mexico. Dr. Burnley holds several professional memberships and is the recipient of numerous awards in recognition for his work.

Dr. Burnley is a lead developer and instructor of a course that examines the role of the church and its historical and contemporary interpretation and application of scripture in support of and in opposition to racism in the United States and apartheid in South Africa. In addition, the course examines the history and impact of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in South Africa and involves a cross-cultural student and faculty exchange with two South African Universities.

Dr. Burnley has numerous publications to his credit while distinguishing himself as a consultant, workshop facilitator, and keynote speaker.

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spearmon

Margaret L. Spearmon, PhD – Vice President

Dr. Margaret L. Spearmon is a senior lecturer and Chief Officer of Community Engagement and Diversity, University of Washington and co-founder of Inclusive Engagements, LLC. In social work education, she has held both teaching and administrative positions at Case Western Reserve University, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, Temple University, and the University of Washington. Positions held include Director of Field Education, Director of the Bachelor of Arts Program, Associate Dean of Academic Affairs and Associate Dean of Professional Development and Community Partnerships. Social Work Management Practice, Integrative Seminar, and Cultural Diversity are among the primary courses taught by Dr. Spearmon. Leading study abroad programs to Ghana, Kenya, and South Africa have been transformative experiences for herself and participating students.

As a consultant Dr. Spearmon facilitates, training and coaching in the areas of managing a diverse workforce, building multicultural learning environments, team and community building, intergroup dialogue, program management, community planning and strategic planning. A dynamic, enthusiastic, facilitator of change, Dr. Spearmon is distinguished by her passion for building responsive and inclusive teaching and learning communities. Her contagious enthusiasm instills in her and her team members extraordinary energy and dedication where creativity and innovation are encouraged.

Dr. Spearmon’s volunteer and community involvement has comprised serving on several children, youth and family services’ boards of directors and advisory groups, such as National CASA, Girl Scouts of America, United Way Services, National Council of Human Relations, Harambee Services to Black Families and Atlantic Street Center.

After completing her public school education in Cleveland, Ohio and after a study abroad experience in Germany, Dr. Spearmon received a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the College of Wooster in Wooster, Ohio, earned a Masters of Social Work Degree from Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri and a doctorate from the College of Education, University of Washington in Seattle, Washington.

A vibrant, strong, passionate and articulate woman of purpose; Dr. Spearmon is an ordained minister (Itinerant Deacon) and is an active member of Seattle’s First AME Church. Most significantly, she is a servant leader; one who is dedicated to facilitating healing, change and transformative experiences for individuals, groups, communities and organizations.

View Curriculum Vita