Keith Alford often strikes people as cautious, but his idea for fostering inclusion is defined by boldness. He speaks deliberately and long-winded, carefully choosing how to get his message across in a way that’s impactful, though not intrusive. During a recent interview, Alford described “We Rise Above the Streets,” a recovery outreach program for the homeless community in Syracuse.

“It helps homeless people,” Alford said. He corrected himself.

“People who are homeless, excuse me,” he said. “Actually, I even go further: Our fellow citizens who are experiencing homelessness. It’s people-first language we should think about.”

Alford’s self-correction is indicative of the steps some are taking in the quest for inclusion. He said it’s time for people and organizations to stop trying to create diverse and inclusive environments. They need to start doing it, beginning with the language they use and the actions they take. He said “people-first” language is a good start.

Last June, Syracuse University Chancellor Kent Syverud appointed Alford to a new position designed to make SU a more welcoming place. His appointment comes as colleges hire chief diversity officers nationwide. As interim chief diversity officer at SU, Alford wants to make Syracuse a more understanding and open place for all people — regardless of their race, identity or intersexuality. He sums up his role in a singular question.

“How do we make sure people of all backgrounds feel like this is their home away from home?”

Alford knows it isn’t easy, but he mentioned a number of programs on campus seeking to fix issues surrounding exclusion at SU. They include Conversations About Race and Ethnicity, Intergroup Dialogue and STOP Bias. As part of a new initiative, Alford himself eats lunch with students to discuss ways to improve inclusion on campus.  

When asked about the Theta Tau controversy last April — when videos obtained by The Daily Orange showed students in Theta Tau engaging in behavior Syverud called “extremely racist” — Alford pointed to SEM 100, a seminar for first-year students implemented last fall.

“We have moved beyond that occurrence,” Alford said of Theta Tau. “We need to connect with every identity on campus.”

To Alford, dialogue is a vehicle for progress. For decades, as a social worker, mentor and volunteer, he has fostered inclusive environments with dialogue, based on a room-for-all approach. He said it’s simple, yet powerful: think of a dinner table where all people are able to sit and listen to one another.

He illustrated this in October 2017, while giving the keynote address for InterFaith Works of Central New York, an organization for which he’s volunteered. He said during his speech that there’s room at the table for dialogue, not debate.

“Everybody’s voice needs to be heard,” he told the audience. Virginia Felleman, who was watching, needed a box of tissues to wipe away tears as Alford left the podium. His lasting message centered on understanding and empathy, Felleman said.

“In dialogue, we open ourselves to the process of discovery,” Alford said, “and what their life experiences have been.”

Alford grew up in Columbia, South Carolina. His father was an insurance salesman turned barber who worked from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. most days, a work ethic Alford tries to replicate. His mother was an elementary school history teacher who introduced him to Thomas Jefferson’s words in the Declaration of Independence — specifically, the idea of fundamental human rights. Alford also admired his paternal grandfather, who shaped his career path in social work.

“I look up to my grandfather because times were not easy for African-Americans in the South during Jim Crow,” he said. “In college, I came to the realization that oppression and prejudicial attitudes exist in many forms and that people can feel disenfranchised, held back from achieving their true potential.”

“I also saw the” — he held a long pause and sighed — “the vestiges of the Jim Crow era still playing out, even in my young adult years,” he added.

The early experiences drove him to find something worth doing for the rest of his life. In central New York, he’s led groups focused on ending racism. He’s mentored students in Syracuse through the local Big Brother Big Sister program. He’s completed missionary trips to Tanzania.

Alford said he tries to keep empathy at the forefront. In South Carolina, he met dozens of families through churches. He stays in touch with them. When he learns a community member fell ill, he either calls that person’s family or comes to visit.

“Keith has so many frequent flier miles because he’s flying to funerals to speak on behalf of families,” said Maritha Frederick, Alford’s older cousin. “When my father died, Keith called me regularly. For a lot of people, he’s our backbone.”

Alford loves working with kids. As a social worker, he said he helped many children who didn’t have “a lot of resources.” He said people may call them “poor people.” Not him. He prefers his “people-first” language and calls them people “who have low resources.”

“They were very rich in their ability to care for one another,” Alford said. “We need to be conscious of not devaluing the human experience.”

In times of grief and in times of joy, Alford has something to lean on. He said he reflects on the African proverb: “I am because we are, and because we are, therefore I am.”

To Alford, the proverb aligns with his core values: People are connected. And because we depend on community, we can’t move forward without respecting and caring for one another.

Published on January 15, 2019 at 11:18 pm

Contact Matthew: mguti100@syr.edu | @MatthewGut21