Shining Light on Black Excellence: Jasmine Johnson
By Madison Lewis
JASMINE Johnson lines her office walls with uplifting messages, symbolic of her history of implementing diversity and inclusion within educational institutions – a sign that says “educated, motivated, elevated and melanated,” and another that says “Black girl magic.”
Johnson has been the director of The Center for Diversity and Inclusion since June 2024, taking the position because she was looking to be involved in higher private school education.
She fell in love with Rider’s “at-home” feeling, its close-knit community and because the campus has a physical Center for Diversity and Inclusion.
Johnson’s position at Rider catalogs the trajectory of her college career at Seton Hall University and her extensive work in promoting diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives over time.
In college, she created a living-learning community called Queens Unapologetically Educated, Empowered and Noble, for first-year and female-identifying people of Black descent.
According to Johnson, the students in the cohort took two courses taught by a Black woman faculty member – university life and a course called journey of transformation.
Johnson found it imperative that the students would see someone in the classroom that looked like them.
Johnson also implemented programs with speakers that discussed niche and nuanced issues for the female and Black population at a predominately white institution; imposter syndrome and self-expression being some of the topics.
The living-learning community members went on field trips and received mentorship by a staff or faculty member that identified as a Black woman.
Johnson continued to provide support to those around her, especially on Rider’s campus. Namely, she defined the fundamental purpose of CDI in higher and private school education.
“One of [the CDI’s] roles is to support students, faculty and staff in any way that [it] possibly can. Giving students a safe space to be themselves. To learn new things. To celebrate difference[s],” said Johnson.
Junior game and interactive media design major and student assistant to CDI, Michael Nelson, works closely with Johnson to spread DEI initiatives and coordinate events.
“She has redefined CDI. … In comparison to my sophomore year, I have seen great improvement when she entered Rider as CDI’s director,” said Nelson.
Johnson took note of the foundational structures that Rider upholds are meant to bolster DEI efforts and that the physical space for CDI shows dedication to the cause.
The CDI sector of the Bart Luedeke Center is multifaceted, according to Johnson. It serves as a place to advocate change at Rider, a meeting place for the identity-based student organizations to gather, a space for SafeZone training and a location to coordinate history and heritage months.
She divulged that faculty, staff and students coming together to execute diverse celebrations, for religions, cultures and backgrounds, demonstrates an institutional commitment to DEI.
Johnson mentioned the Feb. 1 roller skating event, Groove and Glide, as an example of collaboration between clubs to highlight cultural diversity and celebrate Black History Month. The Student Entertainment Council worked alongside the CDI and recreation programs. Johnson said the turnout was fantastic and the attendance was about 180 skaters.
In addition to being able to skate on the Student Recreation Center courts, students had the chance to learn about the historical significance of skating rinks and the Black community during the Civil Rights era.
She believes that Black History Month is invaluable because people get to celebrate their own culture, and others that do not identify as Black can take it as an opportunity to educate themselves on trailblazers that paved the way for modern day.
“Representation matters,” said Johnson.
Johnson encouraged students to go to other events for Black History Month such as Gospel Fest.
“I really have great faith in CDI, especially with … Johnson holding the torch,” said Nelson. “She is doing a very spectacular job.”
To Johnson, it is essential for students to feel a sense of belonging and be encouraged to embrace their authentic selves, as she promotes that strong sense of self in her own life.
“I am not afraid to embrace that I am a Black woman,” said Johnson. “I am educated, motivated and I can do literally whatever I put my mind to.”
This article is part of the Shining Light on Black Excellence series by The Rider News to showcase impactful Black figures on campus in honor of Black History Month.
