USC Thornton School of Music Dean Jason King poses for a photo.
In recent years PPC has become even more important for working professionals, companies and universities. According to McKinsey’s PPC 2023 Initiatives Report, companies spent nearly $7.5 billion on DEI-related efforts in 2020. That number is expected to grow to $15.4 billion by 2026. Some companies have entire divisions dedicated to diversity, equity and inclusion . Others hire PPC executives, managers and consultants. Although 2020 has brought increased attention to racial issues in the United States, DEI’s efforts are still taking place.
And the dean of the University of Southern California’s Thornton School of Music Jason King says he has hope for PPC’s initiatives in education. He believes his appointment as chancellor shows that USC is taking DEI seriously by hiring more people of color. “I see my own presence at USC as a sign of progress. I bring all my experiences, my perspective, my culture, my approach to methodology and practice,” King told me. “I’m emblematic of some of the progressive changes happening at USC regarding recruiting. USC has a really strong apparatus when it comes to diversity, equity and inclusion. We feel like we’re definitely moving in the right direction,” he said.
I spoke with Jason King about why he thinks DEI still matters in academia and beyond.
Representation Issues
A high angle view of friends stacking their hands.
Yes, money, time and effort have been spent on PPC programs and departments, but there is more work to be done. “If our education spaces are not diverse, then that has a huge impact on how people can feel empowered in a culture. People need to see themselves represented in education spaces,” he said. She wants readers to know that representation mattered in 2020 and still matters today.
“The reason representation matters is because higher education is an institution that has historically been exclusive. They tended to be exclusive spaces that are racially homogenous, gender homogenous, and were not expansive or inclusive. So representation matters. It matters who is in the room.”
Alliance is important
Colleagues gather together in an office.
The term alliance came to the fore in the summer of 2020, as thousands of people showed their support for African-Americans with donations, protests and social media posts. Even though it’s been three years, we still want your company. In fact, we need it now more than ever. And King agrees.
“Three years later, many of those people who came forward as allies or to align with the progressive efforts we had in 2020 are no longer coming forward,” he said. “I think there’s still progress.”
Alliance growth is a sign of progress. Alliance can come in many forms. It can start with a match chat with a friend or a donation to a BIPOC-owned organization. Go one step further and support inclusion in your workplace. Your support could make a difference for your colleagues of color.
Universities need diversity
A panoramic view of a large group of college students listening to a professor during a class.
Many universities and colleges have increased their PPC efforts over the past three years. But in recent months PPC classes have been cut in some schools. But deans like Jason King aren’t allowing minority experiences to be erased. And neither do progressive universities.
“If you have an institution that has historically been exclusive and then you start making more diverse hires, that can have a huge visual effect in making your organization look aligned with the changes necessary to be a truly inclusive environment.”
