Urban League Leaders Call on Chancellor Keon to Resign, Encourages DEI Measures
Urban League Leaders Call on Chancellor Keon to Resign from Board of Trustees, Encourages DEI Measures to Create a More Welcoming Campus Community
NEW YORK and GARY, INDIANA (January 5, 2023) -- National Urban League President and CEO Marc H. Morial and Urban League of Northwest Indiana President and CEO Dr. Vanessa Allen McCloud have called on Purdue Northwest Chancellor Thomas L. Keon to resign from the affiliate’s board of trustees following his racially insensitive comment at last month’s commencement ceremony.
They also urged the university to establish a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion committee, and require senior faculty and staff to participate in DEI training. The NWI Urban League would provide the DEI training and work collaboratively with the committee.
“As you know, the Urban League of Northwest Indiana is responsible for supporting community activities and actions that promote an appreciation for diversity, equity, and inclusion,” McCloud and Board Chair Yolanda Davis wrote in a letter to Keon. “This includes weighing in and responding to incidents of racism, bias, and a host of other ‘isms’ that create barriers, misperceptions and hurt.”
The letter was prompted by an incident at the December 10 commencement graduation ceremony, when a commencement speaker talked about using a made-up language to calm children, including his granddaughter. Keon then spoke in gibberish, adding, “That’s sort of my Asian version of his …” before trailing off.
“Our hope is that the community will regard this incident as an opportunity to examine the issues of unconscious bias and systemic racism,” Morial said. “We look forward to working with the university to create a more welcoming and cooperative community.”
McCloud and Davis wrote, “We know that this has been a trying time and want to work collaboratively with you to be a part of the solution.”