Our Commitment

President Joseph E. Aoun has outlined the following series of actionable steps to advance justice and cultural literacy throughout our university community and to help end systemic racism.

The Addition of an NUPD Advisory Board

The board’s mission is to guide, inform, and strengthen NUPD’s relationship with the community—both within and outside Northeastern.

Elevation of the Presidential Council on Diversity and Inclusion

The council, formed in 2013, has been charged with finding new opportunities for Northeastern to become more diverse, inclusive, and equitable, and to advance the cause of racial justice.

Racial and Cultural Literacy Training

This series of online training modules, which are mandatory for all members of the Northeastern community, provide tools to better understand diversity and to address racism and other systemic inequities in our community.

Read the full plan

Ideas, Action, Change

Northeastern has long been focused on raising awareness and creating change toward a more equitable and socially just world.

John D. O’Bryant African American Institute

Supporting students of African origin and engaging the broader university community in developing student leaders.

Civil Rights and Restorative Justice Project

Helping scholars, policymakers, and organizers seek justice for civil rights crimes committed during the period of 1930 to 1970.

Center on Crime and Community Resilience

Finding innovative, research-based policy solutions to crime and other urban social problems.

Dukakis Center for Urban and Regional Policy

Developing and implementing policies to improve the quality of life and social justice in urban areas.

Institute on Race and Justice

Providing critical research to influence issues of race and inequality in the criminal justice and education systems.

Strategic Advancement of Rising Scholars (STARS) Fellowship

Offering funding and support to help underrepresented students of color pursue PhDs and careers in STEM.

The Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

This Northeastern office promotes the university’s commitment to equal opportunity, affirmative action, diversity, and social justice while building a climate of inclusion throughout our campuses.

Learn More

Every day our students, faculty, staff, and alumni put ideas into action to build a more inclusive and equitable community. It’s important to share our stories and support one other in this commitment.

A call to recover Martin Luther King Jr.’s radicalism

“Part of what I want us to think about is: … What does it mean to not only think about this day in January, but what does it mean to think about it all year long?” asked Régine Jean-Charles, Dean’s Professor of Culture and Social Justice, at Northeastern’s annual tribute to the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr.

Reparations legislation stalled in Congress. Can local governments fill the gap?

Many policymakers aren’t waiting for the federal government to take action to redress historic inequity—they’re doing it themselves. And a new reparations lab at Northeastern aims to give them the tools to do so.

To honor Martin Luther King Jr., he’ll tap into a ‘superpower’

“Singing is so important. It’s one of the best forms of expression,” says Northeastern graduate Kwesi Abakah, who will sing the civil rights anthem “A Change Is Gonna Come,” during Northeastern’s Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration. To fulfill MLK Jr.’s dream, he says, changes must continue.