May 17, 2019
LaKesha Forbes: Working across lines of difference
Lakesha Forbes
The College of Business was not LaKesha Forbes’ first choice when entering ECU as a first-year student in 1996. Twenty-three years later, and with her BSBA and MBA in hand, she’s ECU’s associate provost for equity and diversity and serves as the university’s chief diversity officer.
Forbes also serves on the College’s Business Advisory Council and works closely with Dean Paul Schwager to ensure the College creates a welcoming and supportive experience for all current and future pirates, no matter who they are or their background.
Below, you’ll find a little more about LaKesha and why the College couldn’t be prouder to call her an alumna.
Why the College of Business?
Honestly, I had no intention of going to the College of Business because I wanted to go into something where I could help people and not just drive revenue and profits. I didn’t equate helping people with a business degree at the time.
Family therapy was my first choice, but my parents convinced me to pursue another degree because they thought it would be too emotionally demanding. My second choice, well, just wasn’t a good fit.
I then began exploring the College of Business. I met advisors and professors with the College, and they were very encouraging. Along with inspiration from Sally Lawrence, who made me fall in love with business communications and organizational culture, I enrolled in the College of Business and focused on management. Plus, it also was nice knowing they (the College) wanted me to become successful.
And, my parents always said I was kind of bossy. Today, my family refers to that bossy behavior has leadership.
How would you describe your experience at ECU and the College of Business?
Growth, Discovery. Fun. My experience allowed me to be intellectually curious. The welcoming faculty always entertained my questions. They made me feel wanted in the program and they invested in my success. They listened to my opinions and thought they had value.
Why an MBA?
My parents encouraged me. I liked the curriculum that came with the MBA, and I loved the management concentration because it introduced me to all the disciplines. It allowed me to pursue my love of working with people, and eventually, showed me how to reach across the lines of difference to help organizations embrace diversity and then show how this diversity can be the catalyst for change, innovation and the inclusion of a variety of perspectives.
While at ECU, who had an impact on your career?
As a student, I had several. I talked about Sally Lawrence whose influence pointed me toward business. COB’s Dr. Buddy Zincone was an early advisor and when I had questions about getting a second degree, he, along with my parents, suggested I get a graduate degree. His words, “you can do this,” sticks with me to this day.
Regarding my career, Dr. Rick Niswander was an enormous influence. Not only was he one of the professors who listened to me, but he also recommended me as a graduate assistant in ECU’s Equal Employment Opportunity office.
Lastly, my professional mentor was Dr. Taffye Benston Clayton. She was the ultimate influence in my career development. At the time, she was the only African-American woman who sat on the Chancellor’s cabinet. As an African-American senior administrator in a predominately white institution, she was a role model for me. Dr. Clayton’s presence and position helped me realize I could be a professional leader here at ECU, as well as a successful student.
Dr. Clayton also helped me realize that I can be a successful professional person here at ECU.
As ECU’s Chief Diversity Officer, what are your responsibilities?
The role of our office is complex yet essential. We want to embed diversity and equity into the fabric of ECU’s culture. We are in the business of influencing and shifting organizational culture; it’s quite the leadership challenge but I love it.
ECU is an access university. If we don’t bring our students diverse faculty with diverse experiences, we’re not preparing them for the world; we’re not preparing them to be tomorrow’s leaders.
Every day, I get to interact and collaborate with others to create positive change. I work across lines of difference. And, that’s OK, because that’s what I have done my whole life as an African American. I work with a great team that’s committed to building an inclusive campus, preparing students for diverse workplaces, and contributing to the betterment of the eastern North Carolina.
It’s great to be in a situation where I get to use my MBA degree daily. I get to see it in action, and I get to see its results.
What are your goals in serving on the College’s Business Advisory Council?
Personally, I want to give back to the College because of its early support of me. As an undergraduate, I didn’t have any professors that looked like me. But, today, the College students have increased access to those who bring world and lifetime experiences that are crucial to their professional development.
If I can help the College accomplish its own equity and diversity goals, I believe we will be one step closer to reaching organizational excellence that ensures all students get access to leadership opportunities and prepares them for a diverse workplace.
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