Embracing JEDI Is Embracing the Intellect of All

In this month’s Amstat News, we celebrate Black History Month. As a student, I learned about the Rao-Blackwell theorem. Later, I was drawn to explore one of the minds behind the theorem: David Blackwell. He contributed greatly to the mathematics and statistics fields through his work and the work he inspired in others. His success did not come without challenges. He lived and worked during a time when the focus was on his race, not his intellect. Yet, he persisted and became a giant in the field.

Many years have passed, but there are still settings in which bias has the potential to negatively affect the careers and professional development of our members. Thus, embracing JEDI is embracing the intellect of all.

The ASA Statement on Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion reads in part, “We affirm that our mission, ‘Promote the Practice and Profession of Statistics,’ can be realized only by fully embracing justice, equity, diversity, and inclusivity in all of our operations.” Through this commitment, we are ensuring we promote a professional environment without implicit or explicit bias and barriers so all can contribute and apply knowledge of statistics and data science. Moreover, our knowledge can prove invaluable in ensuring data and statistics are used to accurately inform decisions and drive discoveries without bias.

The Anti-Racism Task Force convened by the ASA Board under the leadership of Wendy Martinez, Rob Santos, and Kathy Ensor offered recommendations to our community. We are working to make progress on their recommendations and have engaged the Nova Collective to partner with us. What follows is an interview to introduce the Nova Collective and the work we will do together.

What is the Nova Collective?

The Nova Collective is a firm that partners with organizations to evolve through a lens of equity. More to the point, Nova is a diversity, equity, and inclusion consulting and training company. We’ve been around for nearly seven years and have a team of more than 20 folks working across North America (and beyond).

The Nova team dedicated to the ASA includes Jemia Williams, strategist; Casey Pilkenton, project lead; Jaci Devine, research and data; and Brynne Hovde, account manager.

Initially, what interested you in working with the ASA?

We loved the thoughtful nature of the request for proposal the ASA issued; it clearly indicated an awareness and earnestness for this work that we don’t often see. Our hunch was validated throughout the process. We appreciated the candor, warmth, and intentionality the ASA team demonstrated.

Beyond these indicators, Nova loves working with membership groups. We relish the opportunity to support community-building outside the constraints of a ‘workplace.’

We’ve worked together for several months. What has been the most interesting aspect of working with the ASA?

It has been fascinating to get to deep dive into the historical and current practices of statistics. The passion everyone feels for the field—and for the association—is so palpable and genuine.

On a personal note, we’ve loved getting to know our ASA team members—learning that Donna runs marathons and Ron has an extensive and diverse family has been a joy.

The terms diversity, inclusion, equity, belonging, and accessibility are used but maybe not with a shared understanding. How do you define these terms?

In shorthand, we define the terms in the following way:

• Diversity is a fact. It is about who is in the room (so to speak) and the lines of difference present.
• Inclusion is a choice. The intentional and ongoing engagement with diversity and lines of difference.
• Equity is an opportunity. Most day-to-day decisions offer the opportunity to challenge the status quo and offer people what they need to thrive.
• Belonging is a feeling. When we are included and celebrated across lines of difference, we experience belonging.
• Accessibility is a framework. We must start with access in mind in all things, not as an afterthought.

And we’ll add community as the structure of belonging in a group. So, we often say community is the structure of belonging, which is the feeling of inclusion as the intentional engagement with diversity. And, in its best form, it is all designed through the lens of accessibility and equity.

How does this inform your work?

We see all these terms and ideas as fluid—they are in constant motion as we work to realize them and nurture them. We have never ‘arrived’ at any of these points. They are an ecosystem in constant flux. For Nova, our training, recommendations, tools, and strategies are informed by the understanding of the ecosystem and geared toward its success.

How can the ASA community contribute to this work?

There will be several opportunities to get involved directly, through small group conversations and town hall events. On an individual level, every member is encouraged to engage with the process, materials, and recommendations. Individual behaviors have a huge impact on the ecosystem of DIEBA work. We encourage members to consider their sphere of influence and make personal commitments to evolve along with the organization.

Are there resources you would recommend to our members who want to learn more about diversity, inclusion, equity, belonging, and accessibility?

Nova has a downloadable resource list that is a great starting point for folks on their DEIBA journey.

What else would you like to share with the ASA community?

We are so honored to be on this important journey with you all. While the road ahead may be, at times, uncomfortable and challenging, it will also be joyful and affirming.

As statisticians and data scientists, you all know better than anyone that a single data point rarely tells a complete story, and we know you all will continue to embrace the complexity you are used to working with every day.

In my January column, I shared that I would be guided by the ASA mission. By embracing JEDI, we are embracing the intellect of all and reaffirming our mission, so I look forward to the work we will do with the Nova Collective.