Jeremy Divinity is a Senior Marketing Specialist at EdTec. In his role, he has developed impactful mission-driven marketing strategies to enhance brand awareness across a comprehensive range of services to support the vision of having the greatest positive impact on the quality of public education. Collaborating seamlessly with cross-functional teams, he has ensured communication strategies align with service offerings, with a special emphasis on equity and social justice. Additionally, he assisted in launching the company’s charter school brand marketing service in line with their commitment as a social enterprise. Furthermore, he streamlined operational efficiency by optimizing processes, particularly in monthly and annual reporting for informed decision-making.
As a graduate of a Jesuit secondary school, Jeremy enrolled in LMU's Ed.D. Program because he was driven by a commitment and responsibility to be a man for and with others. During the summer of 2020, he understood his responsibility to advocate for equitable education amidst the racial reckoning. LMU's Doctoral Program in Educational Leadership for Social Justice aligned with his mission. He believed it would equip him with the knowledge and skills to create equitable opportunities for all students. Inspired by LMU's dedication to justice, he was ready to lead in advancing social justice in education and took the leap.
Inspired by his own experiences as a graduate of a predominantly White Jesuit high school, Jeremy’s dissertation, “Reclaiming Black Spirit: Redefining Social Justice Leadership with and for Black Youth in Jesuit Schools,” chaired by Yvette Lapayese, Ph.D., focused on exploring the racialized and gendered lived experiences of African American males in Jesuit secondary schools, particularly their perceived support from school leadership in terms of social justice leadership. By centering on the voices of Black youth, he aimed to challenge deficit narratives and cultivate environments that celebrate the complexity of Black identity. Ultimately, this research serves as a call to action for Jesuit and all educational institutions to actively pursue racial justice in its support of Black male students.
Participation in the Ed.D. Program has deeply enriched Jeremy’s personal and professional impact in education. As an African American male doctoral student, his journey has been a profound exploration of identity, purpose, and social justice. His Blackness serves as a lens through which he navigates the world and as a testament to resilience against systemic inequities. He aims to challenge deficit discourse prevalent in educational research, especially for Black males, inspired by the legacy of his ancestors who endured slavery. He envisions himself as a scholar-practitioner advancing knowledge and advocating for marginalized communities, rooted in values of equity and justice.