Advancing Racial Equity at Duke

An aerial of West Campus buildings with Duke Chapel in the background

Given Duke’s location in the American South and history as an institution that systemically excluded Black Americans from the opportunity to learn and teach, we have an obligation to actively dismantle any remaining effects of that legacy.  

The results of our first Campus Climate Survey (now Campus Culture Survey) reinforce the importance of addressing challenges facing the Black and underrepresented members of our community. This site is a growing repository of information about our equity work, including data regularly collected and publicized to monitor our progress, details of new and ongoing programs, research highlights, and educational and training materials for wider use across the Duke community.

Racial Equity Advisory Council (REAC)

Kim Hewitt, Vice President for Institutional Equity and Chief Diversity Officer, and Abbas Benmamoun, Vice Provost for Faculty Advancement, highlight the objectives of REAC.

Learn more about the REAC subcommittees

Campus Climate & Assessment

Using data to identify gaps in policy and practices, and informing educational and training opportunities that support equity at Duke.

Education

Examining how Duke engages in racial equity work through knowledge and skill development, as well as how to support units to improve climate through learning.

Communication

Working to increase transparency and engagement related to race and equity work on campus by increasing efforts to inform and involve each member of the community.

Infrastructure & Policies

Examining the capacity and structural support for strategic initiatives and reviewing institutional policies and practices that address equity.

“We are deepening our commitments to racial and social equity, and I am very grateful for the continued work of the Racial Equity Advisory Council and the Offices of Institutional Equity and Faculty Advancement, which are driving this important initiative into its third year.”

-President Vincent E. Price