It’s with great excitement that we announce the launch of NPPA’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Committee. At a special meeting on Saturday, March 13, 2021, the board of directors unanimously passed a resolution to create a permanent DEI Committee, now written into our association's bylaws to live on in perpetuity. This team will be tasked with planning a new required education series for NPPA leadership and consult on projects such as event compliance with NPPA’s Event Diversity & Inclusion policy. Including such vital efforts in our association's governing documents is crucial to its long-term mission and success.
We are honored to have multimedia journalist Polly Irungu chairing the DEI Committee. Irungu is the founder of Black Women Photographers, a global community and directory of Black women and non-binary photographers. When asked about this new venture Irungu said “It’s an honor to be a part of this incredible initiative to bring some transformative change within the industry. There’s a lot of work to be done, and we are all excited to hit the ground running,”
The committee also includes 2007 Sprague Award winner Rev. Kenny Irby, who brings years of expertise in leading diversity programs, training photojournalists and law enforcement. Other distinguished volunteers include Minneapolis Star Tribune Associate Managing Editor of Diversity and Community Kyndell Harkness, newly appointed board member Yousur Al-Hlou of the New York Times, NPPA Secretary Marie D. De Jesús, NPPA Past President Melissa Lyttle, NPPA Ethics Chair Sean Elliot, NPPA Education Chair Carrie Pratt, and elected NPPA board members Eve Edelheit and Josh Davis.
The committee officially kicks off with its first meeting this coming weekend. If you’re interested in volunteering to help with inclusion initiatives, please email Katie at [email protected].
