Nebraska Athletics will host the 6th annual Diversity and Inclusion Summit on February 1st and 2nd, 2021. The Inclusion Summit will feature the theme #BuiltForThis. Sport is one of the best places that celebrates diversity and practices inclusion. We want to reinforce that sport has the power to unite and inspire positive change and to show Husker staff and athletes that we have laid the foundation to build upon our inclusive environment.
This year's Summit will feature a number of current and former Huskers. Speakers will include former Husker and Olympic Gold Medalist Jordan Burroughs, Former Husker Preston Love, current Executive Specialist Linsey Chamberlain, Diversity and Inclusion Postgraduate Intern Jeff DeVaughn, and community organizer Eric Reiter. Lastly, Bowling Coach Paul Klempa and Bowling student-athlete Leah Glazer will speak with attendees as well. The group of presenters all bring a unique perspective to our Summit this year and showed that they are #BuiltForThis. Each speaker will share their experience in living, competing and working in inclusive environments here at Nebraska, and reveal how the athletic department, the University and the state of Nebraska are built to sustain an inclusive environment.
Jordan Burroughs, an Olympic athlete, that has seen many inclusive environments from traveling all over the world. Preston Love, a member of the Magnificent Eight here on the Nebraska football team, was a civil rights leader who served as Jesse Jackson's campaign manager during his presidential campaign. Linsey Chamberlain, born and raised in Nebraska, is taking strides as an active member of the Husker Inclusion Council (HIC), advocating for changes within the department. Eric Reiter is a community organizer, working with OutNebraska, will show attendees how to have a difficult conversation with postgraduate intern Jeff DeVaughn. Lastly, Coach Klempa and Glazer will speak on their experience in completing diversity and inclusion workshops, and the response of the team and the outlook on inclusion moving forward within the locker room.
It will be special as we unwind back into our history and acknowledge all of the good we have done over the decade to ensure it was inclusive. We know that at times things may not have seemed that way, but courageous people made changes in an effort to better their moment of time. You can see a timeline of Nebraska Athletics diversity and inclusion efforts here.
The Summit will inspire current student-athletes, staff, and coaches to build off the history and continue to fight for what is right and wrong. Wearing that "N" means that your are #BuiltForThis and will continue to create inclusive environments wherever you may be. Creating an everlasting legacy like Flippin, Woods, and Pounds, where people are still talking about you 100 years from now. #BuiltForThis is your own personal challenge on what you want to leave an impact on. It can be social justice, diversity and inclusion, or community service. In this summit, dialogue can spark an action of doing to help better create more inclusive spaces within our department, locker rooms, and community.
With a diverse lineup, breakout sessions, and a hidden surprise to add, the 2021 Diversity and Inclusion Summit will allow those in attendance to discover commonalities, differences, and allow attendants to become more self-aware about Nebraska Athletics inclusive history. It is an opportunity to have a dialogue about all different aspects of diversity and inclusion, and also challenge yourself on how you are #BuiltForThis.