DeOndra Dixon Named 2011 Ambassador for the Global Down Syndrome Foundation

On April 30, 2012 we’ll host our 13th annual diversity and inclusion event, the Leading Diversity and Inclusion Institute in Atlanta.  As we prepare for what is turning into an extraordinary experience for both the practitioner inside and outside the office of diversity, we wanted to highlight this year’s Ambassador for the Global Down Syndrome Foundation, Ms. DeOndra Dixon.

Over the past 20 years, the topic of diversity has grown to encompass more than just race or gender. Our 2011 Global Institute for Leadership Development (GILD) learning team leader, Al Vivian, CEO of BASIC Diversity explains, “Today we are now looking at the whole spectrum of diversity to include race, gender, educational background, geographic location, linguistic styles, as well as languages that you speak, generational issues – it has become a tremendously large field.” Additionally, the spectrum of what is now today’s diversity and inclusion field also embraces individuals with disabilities, mental or physical, as well as members of the lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and transgender (LGBT) community.

Last September, Ms. Dixon made her first trip to Washington D.C., to advocate on behalf of people with Down syndrome, addressing attention specifically for African Americans with Down syndrome. Her trip allowed for her to meet with policy makers, like Kareem Dale, Associate Director of the White House Office of Public Engagement & Special Assistant to the President for Disability Policy(ColoradoJetSet).  In addition to being a lobbyist for disability policies she is also a great dancer – performing live on stage as part of her brother, Jamie Foxx’s back-up dancing team for his performance “Blame It” at the 2010 Grammy Awards.

This year’s Leading Diversity and Inclusion Institute reflects significant re-tooling of our previous Leading Diversity summit and represents the next phase of innovative learning and development for leaders based on the proven Linkage institute model and includes a well-researched, full immersion, transformative experience. For more information, visit www.linkageinc.com/DIV.

The Global Down Syndrome Foundation is a non-profit dedicated to significantly improving the lives of people with Down syndrome by supporting basic research, clinical research, and clinical care. To learn more, click here>>