Written By Jackson State University
Ebony Lumumba, Ph.D., associate professor and chair of the Department of English and Modern Languages at Jackson State University, was presented the Diversity & Inclusion Award for Excellence by the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning on Thursday, Feb. 15, 2024. The awards program began in 1992 and is presented as part of the Board’s observance of Black History Month.
“Dr. Lumumba is committed to fostering an inclusive and supportive academic environment where our students and the greater community are celebrated and valued. Her efforts inspire others and bring distinction to Jackson State,” said President Marcus L. Thompson, Ph.D. “Her persistent work to create dialogue and promote understanding around the need for diverse spaces enriches the university’s campus culture and embodies our core values. I extend warmest congratulations on this well-deserved acknowledgment.”
Lumumba is an avid supporter of education and the arts. Her zeal for both is evident in her participation in various community projects. She is a board member of the Foundation for Mississippi History, the Mississippi Humanities Council, The International Ballet Competition, the Mississippi Book Festival, and the Mississippi Institute of Arts and Letters. She participates on the national advisory boards of the Eudora Welty Foundation and the Mississippi Museum of Art.
“Receiving this award focused on diversity and inclusion is truly an honor. I believe that HBCUs are some of the most diverse spaces in our society. Our institutions also possess a thoughtful commitment to inclusion by virtue of our very makeup. As I seek to promote these dynamics in my work and ensure our students are embraced in every facet of their identities, I’m heartened by this nomination and our institution’s commitment to these goals,” Lumumba said.
The chair received her Ph.D. in English literature from the University of Mississippi, a Master of Arts in English from Georgia State University, and graduated Magna Cum Laude from Spelman College with a Bachelor of Arts in English.
Lumumba was among several educators celebrated by the Mississippi Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning from across the state’s public university system for their contributions to the positive advancement of diversity on campuses and communities.
Nominees from the state’s eight public universities and the University of Mississippi Medical Center are recognized with the Diversity Award for Excellence. One nominee is selected by the Diversity Committee of the Board as the Diversity Educator of the Year.
The board also recognizes a community honoree with the Karen Cummins Community Service Award, which honors individuals who have promoted diversity and inclusion in their communities. First presented in 1997, the award was renamed in 2017 in memory of former IHL trustee Karen Cummins in recognition of her courage, compassion and willingness to serve.
The Board of Trustees Diversity Committee comprises trustees Dr. Steven Cunningham, Dr. Ormella Cummings, and Trustee Jeanne Luckey.
