LIBN Honors Tiffani Blake with Diversity in Business Award

Interim Assistant Provost for Student Engagement and Development Tiffani L. Blake was honored this week with Long Island Business News’ (LIBN) Diversity in Business Award.

This annual awards program highlights outstanding achievements of business leaders of diverse ethnic backgrounds as well as those who actively support the growth of diversity and equality in our community. In 2019, Junius Gonzales, M.D., M.B.A., provost and vice president for Academic Affairs, received this prestigious award.

LIBN had planned to celebrate the 2020 Diversity in Business winners at a live event on July 21. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, LIBN revamped its awards event model to host a virtual event.

Each of the 18 winners was celebrated for their achievements through multimedia storytelling. All winners, sponsors, and guests had the opportunity to participate in the program with their congratulations, photos, and cheers in real time using social media platforms. Additionally, a profile of Blake appears in a special section of LIBN that features all 2020 award winners.

In explaining her personal motivations and professional goals, Blake noted, “I have witnessed the hardships that life can bring and being able to assist someone by sharing information and resources, and providing teachable experiences is life-changing. This drives me to continue learning, growing, and pursuing opportunities in the field of higher and postsecondary education to positively impact my community.”

In terms of how local organizations can promote diversity, Blake stated they “must be intentional in creating safe spaces for constituents that offer experiences to learn about the importance of diversity and inclusion and encourage respect, advocacy, and concern for all individuals. Through collaboration with local, national, and global cultural groups and resources, Long Island companies can work toward the celebration of a variety of cultures, encourage constituents to learn about others, dispel stereotypes, and gain a variety of perspectives on matters of consideration to the communities they serve.”