Surviving the Continued Assault of Cultural Centers

Abstract

Staff from cultural centers and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) offices will present their experiences as leaders that are often responding to contested times due to their roles and commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion as heart work. Examples of contested times include financial constraints, anti-immigrant policies of the Trump administration, Black Lives Matter uprisings in response to increased visibility of police violence, and reimagining the role of centers during the COVID-19 pandemic. The chapter will explore how the authors' identities have shaped their leadership approach to build capacity by centering student needs and engaging campus partners. The chapter ends with the authors outlining approaches and next steps for supporting cultural centers and DEI offices during crises.