The primary goal of the Task Force on Racial Justice is to assist the University in fostering positive, enduring changes in campus culture and existing systems so that racial justice may become a known attribute of the institution. Racial injustice at Samford, past and present, will be examined and addressed.
The Task Force will utilize a wide range of materials and human resources to develop immediate and long-term recommendations for the improvement of racial justice at Samford University. Materials may include social media posts, videos, e-mail messages, petitions, on-campus events, assessments and personal accounts of Black students, alumni and employees. Members of the faculty and staff will be available to provide personal experience, input, research and other information requested by the members of the Task Force.
The members of the Task Force will determine processes, priorities and plans for their work. Implicit in the charge to the Task Force is that neither the administration nor the Board of Trustees will interfere with the work of the group, offering the full freedom to understand and put into coherent recommendations measures that will lead toward Samford’s improvement.
The final report of the task force, which includes its findings and recommendations for new and enhanced diversity initiatives on campus, was affirmed by a resolution adopted Samford’s Board of Trustees, April 27, 2021.
“The formation of the task force was an important next step to ensuring continued progress and to implementing actions that will build a more diverse community. I’m proud of the work we have accomplished together and look forward to seeing the ideas and recommendations of the group have an impact on our campus.”—Denise Gregory
Task Force on Racial Justice Report Task Force on Racial Justice Resolution
Task Force Members
Howard College Arts and Sciences
Past-chair Faculty Senate 2020-2021
Holly Simmons
Samford University Parent
Richard Simmons
Samford University Parent
Samford Board of Trustees
Diversity Action Planning Committee
The Task Force on Racial Justice completed its work in spring 2021. As a follow-up measure to their work, President Beck Taylor launched the Diversity Action Planning Committee (DAPC) to implement the recommendations of the Task Force’s final report. In addition, the group will work on future priorities related to diversity and inclusion. Led by Denise Gregory, Samford’s associate provost for student success and diversity and inclusion, a Diversity Action Plan will be presented to the Board of Trustees in December 2021.