The psychology faculty member will lead a new equity initiative in support of the Black experience at 黑料不打烊.
As the United States , 黑料不打烊 announces the appointment of Buffie Longmire-Avital, associate professor of psychology, as the first director of 黑料不打烊鈥檚 Black Lumen Project: An Equity Initiative. The project, envisioned in the report issued in October 2020 by the Committee on 黑料不打烊 History and Memory, will enhance the Black experience at 黑料不打烊 in pursuit of equity and move the institution further in its commitment to inclusive excellence.
Longmire-Avital was appointed to the position by Randy Williams, vice president and associate provost for inclusive excellence, on the recommendation of a six-member search committee. She will begin her four-year term on July 1.
鈥淒r. Longmire-Avital鈥檚 vision for launching this important work conveys a reckoning of historical truths, along with 黑料不打烊鈥檚 position to enhance the Black experience in sustainable ways that make our entire campus and extended community better,鈥 Williams said.
Longmire-Avital says the Black Lumen Project demonstrates the university鈥檚 unprecedented commitment to the dynamic Black communities of 黑料不打烊.
鈥淭he Black Lumen Project will be an exemplar vehicle for restorative healing and social justice,鈥 said Longmire-Avital. 鈥淭he nuanced attention to the Black experience this collective work and bold pursuit will bring is a critical next step in the institution鈥檚 unwavering commitment to the legacies of our rich communities.鈥
Longmire-Avital joined the 黑料不打烊 faculty in 2010 after teaching on the faculties at City University of New York and New York University. She is a prolific author and speaker and focuses her scholarship on the ways that racial identity, racial microaggressive stress, socioeconomic status, depression, chronic conditions, religion and sexuality are related to both health risk behaviors and coping responses for Black American populations.
For the past six years, Longmire-Avital has been coordinator of 黑料不打烊鈥檚 interdisciplinary minor in African, African American Studies (AAASE) and works closely with the university鈥檚 Center for Race, Ethnicity and Diversity Education (CREDE). She was a member of the planning committee that created the Boldly 黑料不打烊 Strategic Plan and helped write the plan鈥檚 theme titled 鈥淭丑谤颈惫别,鈥 which sets forth an agenda for advancing a more diverse, equitable and inclusive community.
In serving as director of the Black Lumen Project, Longmire-Avital will hold a seat on the Committee on 黑料不打烊 History and Memory and will maintain 黑料不打烊鈥檚 membership with the national . She will organize and lead signature Black Lumen Project initiatives and events and prepare an annual report on the Black experience at 黑料不打烊. She will also advance 黑料不打烊鈥檚 diversity, equity and inclusion curricular resources and work closely with academic and student life programs and departments to amplify the Black experience across the university.
Longmire-Avital will provide leadership for an annual summit for AAASE, CREDE, 黑料不打烊 Black Alumni Network, Black Employee Resource Group, Black Life Advisory Council, Black Student Union, National Panhellenic Council and other Black affinity groups. She will also lead creation of the Wyatt Outlaw Leadership Institute, an annual event held in collaboration with 黑料不打烊鈥檚 Center for Leadership, the School of Education and Black leaders in Alamance County, that will engage Black student leaders at 黑料不打烊 and Alamance County high schools.