The Hospitality Diversity Action Council (HDAC) Awards of Excellence recognizes individuals or companies who are working to advance the industry through the promotion of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).
In terms of educating the next generation of leaders, there is no one more fitting than this year’s recipient (the awards’ third): Ashli Johnson, who brings nearly 20 years of hospitality leadership, consulting, and academic experience to the role of executive director at Howard University’s Marriott-Sorenson Center for Hospitality Leadership, where she is tasked with building a pipeline of Black executive-level talent and entrepreneurs to shape and lead the future of the industry.
Here, she discusses how she hopes to create change in her new position.
In April, you cut the ribbon on the Marriott-Sorenson Center for Hospitality Leadership, created as a result of a $20 million gift from the J. Willard and Alice S. Marriott Foundation. What have been the most immediate changes since then?
Ashli Johnson: The excitement surrounding the center’s ribbon cutting has been absolutely incredible; the most immediate changes have been the amount of visitors and engagement inquires we have welcomed during this special time in the center’s history.
What can you tell us about the curriculum? How do you expect it will evolve?
AJ: We are currently developing a first-of-its-kind curriculum designed to equip our scholars to excel in corporate hospitality spaces. The goal is to be innovative in approaching the future needs of the industry while serving the current generation of future hospitality leaders, thus it will look and feel different from traditional hospitality curriculum.
What does the center embody?
AJ: The Marriott-Sorenson Center for Hospitality Leadership will serve as the premier source of future Black hospitality industry leaders, influencers, and entrepreneurs; exceptional talent is here at Howard University!
How can hospitality professionals best support the school and its students?
AJ: By joining us in co-creating a better hospitality industry. Connect with and show up for our scholars, join us for a Work From Howard Day, invite our scholars to directly learn from you and your teams, create impactful internship and fulltime opportunities. The possibilities for support and engagement are endless.
How can hospitality professionals best put the principles and ethics at the heart of the center into practice?
AJ: By starting today, with who and what you have. The talent pipeline exists beyond entry level; underrepresented leaders across our industry need retention and promotion support.
What are the biggest changes you’d like to see in the hospitality industry?
AJ: The global pandemic truly forced our industry to rethink nearly every aspect of the business. I would love to see our industry become more agile in identifying and implementing transformative solutions that support our most important asset—people.
What gives you hope for the future?
AJ: The changemakers, trailblazers, dreamers, and doers that are committed to the equitable and inclusive transformation of hospitality give me the greatest hope. I truly believe that the unrepresented will not remain underestimated for much longer.
What’s next?
AJ: We recently celebrated our first program graduate, who is now working in a corporate hospitality role, so there is much more of this to come! Every day the work continues. What’s next for me is to remain diligent in creating access for advancement in hospitality.
This article originally appeared in HD’s May/June 2023 issue.
