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Shaun Harper
Shaun Harper
00:37

Shaun Harper

USC Race and Equity Center

Los Angeles, CA USA

"It’s impossible to imagine being something that you’ve never seen."

Career Roadmap

Shaun's work combines: Education, Politics, and Upholding a Cause and Belief

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Day In The Life

Founder & Executive Director

I'm an education leader primarily focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion.

04:17

Day In The Life Of An Executive Director Of A Race And Equity Center

My Day to Day

As a professor at USC in the fields of education, business, and public policy, and the founder of the USC Race and Equity Center, my days are filled with meetings and diverse responsibilities. I engage with colleges, K-12 school districts, corporations, and government agencies on diversity, equity, and inclusion. I also write for major publications and lead initiatives like a grant prep academy that guides young men of color into academic careers.

Skills & Education

Advice for getting started

As Black people, we need to bring other Black people along and aboard with our successes. Don't let anybody tell you that you're bringing too many Black people aboard. There is no such thing. Of course we should bring other people from other ethnic groups up too—it doesn't have to be only Black people. But don't let anyone tell you that you care too much about Black people. Black people deserve maximal care and if we're not going to be the ones who care for them, who will?

Here's the path I took:

  • High School

  • Bachelor's Degree

    Bachelor's Degree

    Albany State University

  • Graduate Degree

    Master's Degree

    Indiana University Bloomington

  • Doctorate

    Doctoral Degree

    Indiana University Bloomington

Learn more about different paths to this career

Life & Career Milestones

My path in life has been direct

  • 1.

    I grew up poor in the rural South in Georgia where the major financial and political players were white—this really shaped my views on justice, fairness, and equity.

  • 2.

    Encouraged by my seventh grade teacher and mentor, I ran for student council president and won, launching me into a pathway of student leadership.

  • 3.

    My true educational potential was unlocked at Albany State University, an HBCU, where I was surrounded and inspired by Black brilliance and culturally responsive education.

  • 4.

    I earned my bachelor's degree from Albany State University, followed by a master’s degree and Ph.D. from Indiana University Bloomington.

  • 5.

    I then built my career in higher education, gaining experience at Indiana University, USC, Pennsylvania State University, and the University of Pennsylvania.

  • 6.

    While at the University of Pennsylvania, I founded the Center for the Study of Race and Equity in Education.

  • 7.

    I moved back to USC and became the founding executive director of the USC Race and Equity Center.

  • 8.

    In addition to my work with the Race and Equity Center, I’m also a USC professor for the education, business, and public policy schools.

Defining Moments

How I responded to discouragement

  • THE NOISE

    Messages from Society in general:

    You care too much about Black people.

  • How I responded:

    As Black people, we need to bring other Black people along and aboard with our successes. Don't let anybody tell you that you're bringing too many Black people aboard. There is no such thing. Of course we should bring other people from other ethnic groups up too—it doesn't have to be only Black people. But don't let anyone tell you that you care too much about Black people. Black people deserve maximal care and if we're not going to be the ones who care for them, who will?

Experiences and challenges that shaped me

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  • I didn't come out until I was in my early thirties. If I could give my younger self advice, I'd tell myself to be more comfortably queer sooner.

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