WASHINGTON – Raven Johnson has been announced as Georgetown's "Future Leader" through the McLendon Minority Leadership Initiative, as announced on Monday. The McLendon Minority Leadership Initiative, launched by The John McLendon Minority Scholarship Foundation in 2020, is a coach-driven initiative that provides minorities a jump-start to their careers.

"We are so excited to add Raven to our team this year! Her role is going to allow us to continue to live out our value of inclusive community by assisting in the implementation of our diversity, equity and inclusion strategic plan," said Executive Director for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Marissa Robinson. "Her background as a student-athlete and her research in race and sport culture is going to be a great value add to all that we do.  Throughout this year, she will assist in the daily operations and coordinate a variety of initiatives."

About Raven Johnson

• In her role as the diversity, equity & inclusion coordinator, Johnson assists in implementing the DEI strategic plan focusing on the three priority areas of education, culture and outreach.
• Johnson joins the Georgetown diversity, equity & inclusion staff from East Carolina University where she was a six-year student-athlete on the women's basketball team.
• At ECU, Johnson conducted research on student-athlete mental health and stigmas surrounding both aspects of race and sport culture.
• On the court, she was a team captain, and twice named to the American Athletic Conference (AAC) Weekly Honor Roll. Johnson was also a member of the Leadership Committee and earned three nods to the AAC All-Academic Team.
• Johnson was involved in various community service activities throughout Greenville, North Carolina, and was a member of both the Black Student-Athlete Organization, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.

About the McLendon Minority Leadership Initiative (MLI)

• The purpose of the MLI is to provide minorities a jump-start to their careers through practical experiences, opportunities to build their network, and instilling the values of John McLendon: Integrity, Education, Leadership and Mentorship.
• Coaches participating in the initiative are Ambassadors of the program and will serve as mentors to the Future Leaders on their campuses.
• The McLendon Foundation, along with G3 Marketing and ProLink Staffing Services, assists in the solicitation of collegiate coaches, administrators and corporations to build this program and provide opportunities within athletics departments at all levels, with the ultimate goal of expanding and enhancing the pipeline for minorities interested in pursuing careers in athletics administration.

About Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) at Georgetown

• Marissa Robinson was hired as the department's executive director for diversity, equity & inclusion in 2020.
• Robinson was the first in the newly-created position that was created from a gift from the Behrens Family.
• While in the role, she has created the department's DEI strategic plan with the overall goal to push the Department closer to its strategic goal of inclusive excellence.
• Georgetown's DEI work prioritizes education, culture and outreach to stay committed creating a culture of belonging that values diversity and continuously strives for equity and inclusion.
• It aids the Department in continuing its partnerships with campus units to provide opportunities for interaction between and among a diverse population, and advance the Athletics Department's strategic priorities as it relates to diversity, equity and inclusion.