America 101 - 2020 Edition : Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Dr. Jodi Merriday

https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-jodi-merriday-3821aa42/

Dr. Jodi Merriday is an engaging, charismatic and innovative Diversity and Inclusion, Title IX and Multiculturalism subject matter expert, speaker and facilitator. She identifies her cultural canvas as diplomacy and aspires to create bodies of work and dialogue that provoke consciousness, critical thought and social cohesion. Over 40 Colleges and Organizations have utilized her customized curriculum for Professional Development Programming, Corporate Affinity Group Trainings, New Student Orientations and Heritage Month Commemorations. An accomplished vocal artist, Jodi’s most notable skills include the capacity to encapsulate performance art as a tool to bridge understanding, unpack difference, increase cultural competency and facilitate dialogue.

Jodi has over 25 years of experience working in higher education. Before undertaking Performing and Guest Lecturing full time, she was an Assistant Professor of History at Gordon State College followed by a 2-year appointment as the Ombudsman for Atlanta Public Schools. During her 7-year tenure as a Lecturer at Spelman College in the Departments of Music, Sociology and African Diaspora, she taught Africans in the Diaspora and World, American Popular Music, African-American Film, Intro to Sociology, Social Problems, Hip Hop HERStory and Dialogue across Difference. She was also an Adjunct Lecturer at Georgia State University (African Diaspora), Clark Atlanta University (USA Africa World, African/ African-American Music), The Art Institute of Philadelphia (Intro to Sociology), and Community College of Philadelphia (Intro to Sociology and Culture and Thinking).



Jodi received her M.A. from Temple University in Sociology, M.Sc. from the London School of Economics and Political Science in Development Management and Ph.D. from Temple University in African-American Studies. She is a Registered Neutral in the State of Georgia {Mediator and Arbitrator}, Certified Anger Management Fellow {National Anger Management Association}, Certified Risk Reduction Trainer {Prime for Life}, Certified Trainer of Managing and Mediating Workplace Conflict {Eckerd College} and member of ATIXA (Association of Title IX Administrators).

Jodi’s 2019 album, “Unlettered” integrates the, “crunk” aesthetic into the textile of jazz and has pivoted her to the forefront of discourse on jazz and African-American music. Recent notable performances include: The Atlanta Jazz Festival’s 40 Days of Jazz, Northlake College’s commemoration of African-American and Women’s History Month, Southern Illinois University’s “Black Women in American History and Culture;” and The National Black Arts Festival’s “Interpretations: Black Visual Art Past, Present and Future. She has received numerous awards and distinctions for her work and promises to make artistic and academic contributions for years to come.