DEIB Statement and Land Acknowledgement


Aerial overview of the University of Kansas

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) Statement for the KU Center for Community Health and Development

At the KU Center for Community Health and Development, we are committed to fostering an inclusive and equitable environment that values and respects the diverse experiences, identities, and perspectives of all individuals. We recognize that diversity in all forms, including but not limited to race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, ability, religion, and socio-economic background, enhances the richness and depth of our work.

We strive to create a culture of belonging, where everyone feels supported, valued, and empowered to contribute their unique talents and perspectives to our shared goals. We believe that promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion is essential to achieving our mission of advancing health equity and social justice.

To this end, we are committed to:

  • Embracing diversity in all forms, and ensuring that all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, free from discrimination and bias.
  • Creating an inclusive environment that values and leverages the unique contributions of each individual, and fosters a sense of belonging for all members of our community.
  • Promoting equity by actively working to identify and eliminate barriers to full participation and advancement for all individuals, particularly those who have been historically marginalized or underrepresented.
  • Continuing to learn and grow, by seeking out diverse perspectives and experiences, and actively challenging our own biases and assumptions.

We recognize that promoting DEIB is an ongoing process, and we are committed to continuously improving our practices and policies to ensure that our center is a place where everyone can thrive.

Land Acknowledgement

At the University of Kansas, we acknowledge that our institution occupies land that has long been cared for by Indigenous peoples and work to reflect on the history of genocide and the forced removal of people and communities.

At KU we are also taking the time to understand and acknowledge the history that has brought our institution to occupy this space and to understand our institutions' place within that history. Native American and Indigenous peoples are still here as our students, staff, faculty, and partners, and continue to thrive despite ongoing colonialism and oppression.

So, with this acknowledgment:

  • We affirm sovereignty of the 574 federally recognized tribal nations in the US, 4 of which have reservations in Kansas, the 63 state recognized tribes and the many more tribes who seek recognition.
  • And we continue our commitment to support our Native American community and recognize the dynamic contributions Indigenous people make at KU and at our sister institution Haskell Indian Nations University, as well as in our local communities, the state of Kansas, and our country.

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