This month the topic of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) was at the forefront of my mind. It began with Martin Luther King Day, which is a moment for all of us to reflect on the past and to learn. This holiday is recognized as a federal holiday and most universities, and some businesses recognize it. Looking at my calendar, I forgot about it and scheduled a research trip for my students and myself on that day … I can do better! I did recognize the holiday and had reflection time on the importance of the day, despite the travel.

Moving ahead to IPPE, a meeting filled with diversity and an international audience, we had an AMSA (American Meat Science Association) sustaining partner meeting with MANRRS, Minorities in Agriculture Natural Resources and Related Sciences. This is an outstanding organization that focuses on bringing diversity not only to careers in agriculture and natural resources, but also to other sciences connecting chemistry and biology to ag-related careers. This organization serves students from middle school to college and all the way through to professional careers. As a board member, I have personally witnessed the effort made by AMSA leadership to increase diversity in the organization and in the profession of meat science. IAFP had added a DEI council led by Dr. Angela Shaw. I know many organizations are being deliberate in bringing diversity to meat science.

Just after IPPE, it was time for one of the mandated trainings we all have to experience as employees. I admit that I was not looking forward to it. This time it was required training to be on a university search committee for new faculty members. It was four hours long, online and I had planned to be minimally engaged until it began. I have to admit, I learned so much from watching subtle examples of inappropriate behaviors to listening to stories from those who have experienced discrimination. We have a tendency to make invalid assumptions when reviewing candidates. We all have our biases to overcome and we must do better and learn from the past to make the future workplace nurturing for the next generation. Texas Tech is a Hispanic-Serving Institution, with over 30% Hispanic students, but we have less than 7% Hispanic faculty ... we can (and will) do better.

Just as I was feeling great about the progress towards diversity, Food Safety and Quality Assurance & Food Safety Magazine put out “The Food Safety Set,” a list of 16 people who have shaped food safety in the past 30 years. First and foremost, I want to say that this list included 16 outstanding leaders who have indeed shaped food safety, but there was not a single person of color on the list. This wasn’t an award for an individual; it was a list of many, and there was no diversity. I know someone is thinking, “…but there isn’t anyone who deserves this designation who is a person of color.” What I learned in my training is that this thought has to have a phrase added to it: In your mind, you must say, “There isn’t anyone… that I know." We, as individuals, do not know everyone in the field, and there are those who need a champion. Throw the net wider by including a more diverse selection committee. I will give a shout out to Quality Assurance & Food Safety Magazine, though. When made aware of this oversight by Tia Glave, founder of Black Professionals in Food Safety and Quality, they quickly added five additional food safety professionals, adding diversity to the list and implemented programs to improve DEI. I applaud them for learning, pivoting and taking action to do better. Well done!

Reflecting on this topic, it is very personal to me. My children, future grandchildren, godson and his family, and many friends face and will face this issue every day of their lives. I will be their champion. We all should be their champions. It should not have to be the person of color who notices the lack of diversity … we all should. We learn, we expand our circles of influence, and tomorrow we will create a profession that our children can look toward as a safe place for all. Please consider what you, your workplace or your organization is going to do better!

Growing, but we can still do better

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