Shenandoah University has named Dr. Hakeem Leonard, associate professor of music therapy, as its first assistant provost for inclusion, diversity, and equity, according to officials at Shenandoah University.
Dr. Hakeem LeonardAccording to university leaders, Leonard will lead the implementation of teaching practices that are “anti-oppressive and that integrate more histories and stories from those who have had to show ‘historical resilience’ in negotiating the barriers of racism, sexism, classism, heterosexism, ableism and cisgenderism and barriers that are anti-Black.”
“Our mainstream curriculum no longer needs to be colorblind or culture blind,” Leonard said. “It should promote deep inclusion. There’s been a sense that racism is an overt action toward people. We now understand how systemic it is. It’s in our culture, and one way it exists is through colorblind racism.”
Leonard will continue as associate professor of music therapy.
