Summary:
Director LaKeisha McClendon moderates a 2024 Black History Month Panel discussing Black History in the Arts.
A Message from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Office of Equal Employment Opportunity (OEEO) Director.
My journey began in the village that raised me. My family and community are the bedrock of who I am and the support on which I rely. I attended an all-Black high school in Baltimore County, Maryland, and pursued my undergraduate and graduate education at the National Treasure Morgan State University, a Historically Black College and University (HBCU). After teaching high school and working as a health administrator, I embarked on a career in the pharmaceutical industry and found myself as one of only ten Black individuals in a national recruitment class of about 250. In my region, I was the sole Black person. Looking around my class, I wondered why I was the only person of color in the room. This marked the first time in my career that I felt profoundly alone and isolated and questioned my belonging.
However, it was also the first time in my career that I had a genuine connection with people from other races. We shared a common goal. We were all focused on passing tests and mastering terms. In those moments, we were together.
I spent five years in the pharmaceutical industry, briefing and educating physicians of all nationalities. That is when I truly started to become more comfortable in my own skin and excited to learn about other cultures and backgrounds. I felt like I started to belong, but I still noticed voices missing in the room.
My professional experiences, including starting my federal career with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS), eventually led me to work in Human Capital, where I was fortunate to have a leader willing to give me the opportunity to do what I was interested in doing. My career took off from there. Over the last 12 years with the FDA, I have served as Chief Learning Officer and Deputy Director of Human Capital. My success in my current role is largely due to my work in those positions. From engagement to learning and development, it was a seamless transition to focus on those same activities through an inclusive, equitable, and accessible lens, ensuring that all programs have a diverse perspective. The most profound aspect of my experience was figuring out that I was not an “imposter.” I felt at home at the FDA because I had mentors, colleagues, and leaders who “saw” me. Not just my race but my strengths, my contribution to the organization, and my perspective.
“DEIA work IS Human Capital work, and Human Capital is every organization’s greatest investment.”
I truly feel powerful when I can be my authentic self and own the fullness of my story - a story about a girl from the west side of Baltimore, Maryland, born to teenage parents, the first in her family to earn a bachelor’s degree, then two master’s degrees, and became a member of the Federal Government’s Senior Executive Service by the age of 45.
The emphasis Health and Human Services (HHS) and FDA have placed on diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) is largely responsible for the beneficial impact of my work. FDA has incorporated DEIA principles into its very culture and strategy to build a fair and united agency that leads the way in DEIA for HHS and the Federal Government.
I have had the privilege of spearheading the development and execution of FDA's DEIA 2022-2025 Strategic Plan. Currently, I am at the helm of crafting the next five-year, data-driven Strategic Plan. Throughout this journey, we have celebrated remarkable enhancements in employee engagement, cultural belonging metrics, and our capacity to gather vital information and data to effectively gauge our performance and processes.
For example, we implemented a “OneFDA” holistic approach to DEIA where we enlist the support and partnership of FDA leaders to identify and eliminate barriers to creating an engaging, inclusive, and welcoming workplace. We also completed Hispanic/Latino, Persons with Disabilities (PWD), and Persons with Targeted Disabilities (PWTD) barrier analyses to develop tools, resources, programs, and initiatives to support efforts related to attracting and retaining a diverse slate of candidates and employees. We learned that delivering on the DEIA-related objectives requires engagement and support from employees across the agency, many of whom have made substantial contributions above and beyond their assigned duties. The strides FDA has made to date would not be possible without diversity of thought, talent, and experiences.
As I reflect on my journey, I recognize that the work we have done is only the beginning. DEIA is not a destination but an ongoing commitment to continuously learn and adapt. The strides we have made at HHS and FDA are the result of a collective effort driven by people who are passionate about fostering an environment where everyone belongs. Looking ahead, I am excited about what we will accomplish together. By continuing to prioritize DEIA, we ensure that every voice is heard, and every individual has the opportunity to succeed. I am proud of where we are today but even more excited about the future we are building - one where we continue to dismantle barriers, celebrate our differences, and foster a community of belonging.
LaKeisha McClendon, MIDT, MBA
Director, Office of Equal Employment Opportunity
Food and Drug Administration
Department of Health and Human Services
Continuing our DEIA journey
The DEIA journey is a continuous process of learning and improvement. Committing to DEIA is not just the right thing to do—it is the smart thing to do. It makes HHS a stronger federal agency, a more effective leader and partner in advancing the health of the nation, and an attractive home for the nation’s best and brightest talent.
Leadership change stories will evolve as we collaborate across HHS and make shared progress. We will move forward with a focus on continuous improvement and addressing existing and emerging leadership needs.
For questions, resources, or additional information, please email DEIAStrategicPlan@hhs.gov.
