Black History Month is celebrated every February as a time to commemorate and acknowledge the Black Americans who played a critical role in the founding and shaping of the United States.

Union Institute & University is participating in the celebration by spotlighting members of our faculty and staff.

FACULTY SPOTLIGHT | Debra Eastern

Tell us about your role at Union Institute & University.
I serve as Adjunct Professor in the MSOL program. I teach research methodology and analytics. This is the beginning of my fourth year of service.

Tell us about a moment in Black History that influenced or shaped your career/life.
From Sept 1992 to Sept 1997, I served as Director of Community Health Education Programs for the American Heart Association of WI. It was a program was heart & stroke risk factor awareness outreach for high-risk populations throughout Wisconsin. During my tenure, I designed and facilitated heart, stroke & high blood pressure prevention programs for African Americans, Latinos, Hmong, & Native Americans.

One of my major accomplishments, however, was launching the women of color conference  “Women of the World – heart & stroke awareness.” I was charged to solicit my own funding for this conference. As an unprecedented outreach to women of color, I was able to secure approximately $20K from several local hospitals in Milwaukee; a lot more than my budget required. Therefore I held the conference at Milwaukee’s 5-star prestigious Pfister Hotel, and enlisted Essence Magazine Editor, Susan L. Taylor as my keynote speaker. Susan was a nationally renowned women’s advocate speaker. I provided transportation and in-house childcare for women with children to ensure their attendance. Approximately 600 women of all ages, ethnicities, and socio-economic backgrounds were in attendance. The success of the conference readily spread to ALL American Heart Diseases branches across the United States. I was invited to assist other states in designing and launching their own women of color conference. My conference received heavy press coverage and I received many accolades. It was the proudest moment in my work career to date!

What does Black History Month mean to you?
To be very candid, I’ve never been that impressed with the concept of Black History as ‘one month of the calendar year.’ Black Americans have contributed so much to America’s historic totality as cornerstone servants, most of which has gone un-credited. This is being shown as we speak via our current state of political affairs from governors like Ron DeSantis in Florida, Abbot in Texas, and Rep Jim Jordan, to name a few. These politicians are amongst many White Anglo-Saxon Protestant males who are in total denial of “real Black History.” They have gone over and beyond the realm of the power to pass laws and legislation to wipe out America’s history by banning books and prohibiting educational awareness such as; the 1619 Project and Critical Race Theory which isn’t a theory at all but rather, Critical Race Facts! I am very passionate about the annals of these black history foundations so much so that I studied, researched, and defended them as the basis of my doctoral thesis.

Is there a Black leader, past or present, who inspires you?
President Barack Obama – bar none. This man is the epitome of integrity, morality, family structure, poise, humility, principled, composed, patient, and thoughtful…. I could go on and on.

What advice do you have for people looking to start their careers or become a leader?
In order to lead, you must have the attributes of an individual worth following. Also, you must be willing to lead by example; listen and learn from those you lead. Everyone has something to offer, be open to receiving from others just as you desire to render upon them. Start with studying and mastering the five major leadership styles and hone in on the one best suited for you. Only then will you fully understand how to lead others.

What is your favorite mantra?
If it’s possible, it’s probable that I can and will do it and not quit until I’ve exhausted all effort to try to accomplish it!