Tina Suliman, a senior program officer at the Johns Hopkins Center for Communication Programs, has received a 2023 Diversity Recognition Award from the Johns Hopkins Diversity Leadership Council for her role in the development and leadership of CCP’s Anti-Racism Action Group (ARAG).
This award acknowledges outstanding accomplishments of faculty, staff and students whose demonstrable efforts advance and celebrate diversity and inclusion at Hopkins. Tina joined a dozen other honorees from across the university.
Suliman has been at CCP since 2011 and has primarily worked on Baltimore projects. ARAG came together at CCP as a movement in 2020 in response to the murder of George Floyd by police officers on the streets of Minneapolis and the protests that unleashed. ARAG aims to dismantle systemic racism from the individual level to the ideological level through learning spaces, self-examination, dialogue and creating structures that are more equitable and just.
“With this work, you’re working against systems that have existed for hundreds of years. And so it can be exhausting. It can be really deflating. And it has also been really joyful,” Suliman says. “It’s been wonderful to work with folks and observing the changes, though incremental, that you see it happening in some of the projects, in some of the conversations.
“I’m proud of this recognition on behalf of the 11 members of ARAG, and I see it as the cherry on top of all that we have accomplished and will continue to accomplish.”
Beyond Suliman’s contributions to founding ARAG, said Emil L. Cunningham, assistant vice provost for diversity and inclusion, before handing out the award, “Tina’s leadership has contributed to assessing CCP’s practices and knowledge to assess and address gaps that allow for inequities. These efforts have been crucial to the global work of CCP.”
CCP’s August Summers, who has worked with Suliman for years, says he has nothing but admiration for what she has been able to accomplish. “Tina is leading the Anti-Racist Action Group work without an existing blueprint,” he says. “Her leadership has been a great model for the dedication, patience, empathy and forward-thinking that is critical to advancing CCP’s commitment to cultivating a diverse, anti-racist and inclusive environment. She is masterful at leveraging lessons learned, and she brings humility and integrity to all of her work.”
He adds: “Tina’s invaluable leadership helps foster an environment of self-reflection and growth – an environment where we can become better versions of ourselves in our journey to be of service to others.
CCP’s Apral Smith works alongside Tina on both her Baltimore and ARAG work.
“Tina is an anti-racism champion who not only leads, but is generous with her time, expertise and resources while offering opportunities for others to learn and lead as well,” she says. “Tina’s thoughtful approach galvanizes people in a way that is validating and makes them feel seen and heard. Tina encourages others to share their experiences and insights to create a more diversified shared space.”
