Greetings! I am Aaron Redda a doctoral student in the College of Communication and Information Sciences at The University of Alabama. I have created this Diversity & Inclusion ePortfolio (D&I-eP) as part of my work for the CIS 650 (Applying Diversity Leadership Theories & Praxis) course during Spring 2025.In my D&I-eP, I analyze existing diversity and inclusion responses focused on cancer prevention among underserved populations through early screening and lifestyle interventions such as smoking cessation and alcohol reduction. This project was conducted in collaboration with Emlane Social, a health and wellness digital media company based in Tallahassee, Florida, committed to addressing health disparities impacting African American communities.
On this page, I apply the Strategic Diversity Management Framework to critically evaluate Emlane Social's current diversity and inclusion efforts. Using dimensions such as information sources, policy and planning, internal and external connections, and responses to diverse populations, I assess how effectively the organization supports health equity for Black communities in Tallahassee. My evaluation identifies strengths such as culturally tailored communication campaigns and local partnerships, as well as areas for growth, including the development of long-form educational resources, formalization of a Diversity Committee, and implementation of better evaluation metrics. By grounding this analysis in authoritative research and community-centered evidence, I provide recommendations to enhance Emlane Social’s long-term impact on addressing cancer disparities through inclusive, equitable health communication strategies.
Table 1. Strategic Diversity Management Framework Application for Emlane Social
To evaluate Emlane Social's current diversity and inclusion efforts, Table 1 applies the Strategic Diversity Management (SDM) Framework. This assessment reviews the agency’s communication resources, policy planning, partnerships, and responses to diverse populations, identifying both strengths and opportunities for improvement to better serve Black communities through culturally relevant cancer prevention initiatives.
Table 2. Emlane Social’s Diversity-Focused Information Resources, Planning, and Partnerships
To further illustrate Emlane Social's targeted diversity responses, Table 2 catalogs the agency’s information sources, planning efforts, and partnerships focused on cancer prevention for Tallahassee’s Black community. The table provides specific examples and evidence including media campaigns, diversity representation, and community collaborations that align with the Strategic Diversity Management Framework
Identifier Name Specific Evidence and URL
F. Black Communities: Tallahassee’s Black population the focus for Emlane Social’s cancer prevention outreach, due to the high population of Black community and high cancer rate in Florida. URL: https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/tallahasseecityflorida and https://ftp.cdc.gov/pub/publications/cancer/ccc/florida_ccc_plan-508.pdf
F.A Information Sources
F.A.1 Collections-Social media posts, health blog articles, and culturally tailored video campaigns on Instagram and YouTube. (in development).
F.A.2 Resources-Cancer Prevention in the Black Community” blog series, Emlane Social website, and Steelyard Gym content partnerships. (in development).
F.B Information Policy and Planning
F.B.1 Diversity committee- Community and staff provide insights but no standing committee yet
F.B.2 Diversity Representation-Campaigns prominently feature Black influencers and community leaders as well as staff is represented with Black people
F.C Connections (Internal and External)
F.C.1 Internal centers and organizations- Steelyard Gym acts as an internal partner providing space for outreach events URL: https://www.steelyardgym.com/
F.C.2 External community engagement-Potential collaboration with Florida Department of Health and upcoming partnership with local Black churches for cancer awareness events.
F.C.3 News and upcoming events- Creating a calendar to publish on website for community event and engagement.
F. Black Communities: Tallahassee’s Black population the focus for Emlane Social’s cancer prevention outreach, due to the high population of Black community and high cancer rate in Florida. URL: https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/tallahasseecityflorida and https://ftp.cdc.gov/pub/publications/cancer/ccc/florida_ccc_plan-508.pdf
F.A Information Sources
F.A.1 Collections-Social media posts, health blog articles, and culturally tailored video campaigns on Instagram and YouTube. (in development).
F.A.2 Resources-Cancer Prevention in the Black Community” blog series, Emlane Social website, and Steelyard Gym content partnerships. (in development).
F.B Information Policy and Planning
F.B.1 Diversity committee- Community and staff provide insights but no standing committee yet
F.B.2 Diversity Representation-Campaigns prominently feature Black influencers and community leaders as well as staff is represented with Black people
F.C Connections (Internal and External)
F.C.1 Internal centers and organizations- Steelyard Gym acts as an internal partner providing space for outreach events URL: https://www.steelyardgym.com/
F.C.2 External community engagement-Potential collaboration with Florida Department of Health and upcoming partnership with local Black churches for cancer awareness events.
F.C.3 News and upcoming events- Creating a calendar to publish on website for community event and engagement.
Discussion
Effective health communication is critical for addressing health disparities and cancer prevention among Black people in Tallahassee, Florida. Emlane Social,'s initiatives use culturally tailored messages through social media, blogs, and video campaigns, targeting a community where one out of three people are Black (U.S. Census Bureau, 2023). For Information Sources, Emlane Social can expand long-form resources like brochures and interactive digital platforms. Research shows that culturally appropriate messaging and graphics significantly improve health literacy among African Americans (Joo et al, 2021). Traditional media, such as television and radio, preferred by African American youth, can broaden reach. These align with strategies emphasizing research-based approaches and cultural understanding In Information Policy & Planning, the lack of a formal Diversity Committee limits strategic oversight. Forming one would ensure inclusive practices, supported by intercultural competency training for health communicators to address cultural differences. This committee could develop policies promoting equity, ensuring diverse perspectives shape communication strategies.For Connections, Emlane Social’s partnerships with Steelyard Gym and Big Bowls are promising, but formalizing ties with Black churches and advocacy groups is crucial (Brown et al, 2022) Church-based initiatives effectively increase health literacy and promote behavior change (Brown et al, 2022). Engaging patients in data use and co-creating interventions builds trust and ensures relevance In Responses to Diverse Populations, adopting trauma-informed approaches and participatory media can enhance advocacy for the Black community. Training staff in cultural competency and media literacy is essential for effective messaging (Feinber et al, 2021) . Developing metrics to assess campaign impacts on screening rates and health behaviors is critical for evaluating success and adjusting strategies.Diversity and inclusion are central to Emlane Social’s mission to reduce health disparities in Tallahassee’s Black community. Success is measured by campaign reach, community engagement, and health outcomes like increased cancer screening rates. Current efforts show promise through culturally tailored communication and local partnerships, but the lack of a formal Diversity Committee, limited long-form resources, and absence of robust metrics hinder effectiveness. By adopting strategies like church-based initiatives, trauma-informed approaches, and formal partnerships, Emlane Social can enhance representation and access. These improvements align with the SDM Framework’s goals, suggesting moderate success but significant potential for greater impact with structured enhancements.
Works Cited
Brown NR, Alick CL, Heaston AG, Monestime S, Powe N. The Black Church and Public Health: A Key Partnership for Theory Driven COVID-19 Recovery Efforts. J Prim Care Community Health. 2022 Jan-Dec;13:21501319221097672. doi: 10.1177/21501319221097672. PMID: 35619243; PMCID: PMC9150224.
Feinberg IZ, Owen-Smith A, O'Connor MH, Ogrodnick MM, Rothenberg R, Eriksen MP. Strengthening Culturally Competent Health Communication. Health Secur. 2021 Jun;19(S1):S41-S49. doi: 10.1089/hs.2021.0048. Epub 2021 May 7. PMID: 33961489.
Joo JY, Liu MF. Culturally tailored interventions for ethnic minorities: A scoping review. Nurs Open. 2021 Sep;8(5):2078-2090. doi: 10.1002/nop2.733. Epub 2020 Dec 9. PMID: 34388862; PMCID: PMC8363345.
U.S. Census Bureau. (2024). QuickFacts: Tallahassee city, Florida. Retrieved April 26, 2025, from https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/tallahasseecityflorida