Home / Lectures / Laura Morgan Roberts, University of Virginia, Darden School of Business

Freedom at Work

05-04-2021_SorchaAugustine_162845-EDIT (1)

Laura Morgan Roberts, University of Virginia, Darden School of Business

Description

Semester:

  • Fall 2021

Speakers:

Laura Morgan Roberts

Lecture Time:

Fri, December 3, 2021 @ 1:30 pm to 3:00 pm

Lecture Location:

R0220, Ross Building

Speaker Webpage(s):

No speaker websites available.

Introduced By:

Sukanya Roy

Abstract

The past year has been by marked the convergence of public health, racial justice, economic and democratic crises. To meet the moment, leaders have sought to heighten aspirations toward racial representation, equity and inclusion across industries. Bold proclamations in support of Black lives, and ambitious platforms to invest in Black livelihoods, have been backed by billions of dollars and coalitions of hundreds of leaders across sectors. As institutions begin to implement these diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, what will they establish as standards for success and indicators of progress? How will organizational leaders and their stakeholders assess whether the racial climate has transformed to reflect greater diversity, inclusion, equity, and justice? During this seminar, I will introduce a framework for pursuing Freedom at Work, grounded in the juxtaposition between the democratic ideals of liberty and justice, and the sociohistorical oppression of enslaved, African-descended Americans and other minoritized racial groups. I invite scholars and practitioners to analyze relative access to various freedoms at work (i.e., expression, actualization, deviation, transformation, reformation), consider how inequity undermines these freedoms, and examine how freedom fighters from racially diverse and occupationally diverse backgrounds can help leaders to embody the aspirations and ideals they hold for diversity, inclusion, equity and justice. This discussion will also explore means for placing guardrails on practices that undermine rather than uphold the liberties of communities that were long-denied access to educational opportunity, career mobility and economic advancement. In this vein, I take up the question of how personal leadership commitments and accountability practices might catalyze change, sustain momentum and advance the equal exercise of freedom at work for members of minoritized racial/ethnic identity groups.

Recording & Additional Notes

An expert in diversity, authenticity and leadership development, Roberts’ research and consulting focuses on the science of maximizing human potential in diverse organizations and communities. The author of more than 50 research articles, teaching cases and practitioner-oriented content aimed at strategically activating one’s best self through strength-based development, her work has also been featured in global media outlets. She has also edited three books: Race, Work and Leadership; Positive Organizing in a Global Society; and Exploring Positive Identities and Organizations.

Prior to joining Darden, Roberts served on the faculties of Harvard Business School, Georgetown University McDonough School of Business and Antioch University’s Graduate School of Leadership and Change.

B.A., University of Virginia; M.A., Ph.D., University of Michigan