In the low light of his first-floor office, Michael Dickerson, C’14, made a decision. Dickerson, the law school’s IT systems administrator, spoke with a stranger who would share his story in this magazine. His story illustrates well the dedication Richmond Law has to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.

Dickerson decided to be vulnerable, a virtue that also supported his journey to becoming the first certified Inclusive Partner on campus.

The Inclusive Partner Certificate Program is a series of workshops for UR students, staff, and faculty that builds a toolkit of inclusive practices to support identity-based communities. Race, religion, and socio-economic status are among the topics discussed. One workshop, Affirming Space, teaches how to foster inclusive environments for LGBTQ+ people and was previously known as Safe Zone.

“I’m telling you this because I feel safe with you,” Dickerson began.

He then pointed to his office door and its line of badges representing the stages of his Inclusive Partner training and similar campus participation. “See all those? There’s an Easter egg in there of sobriety,” Dickerson said, referencing the Peer Recovery Specialist and Recovery Ally stickers. “It’s an easy way for me to tell my truth without standing on the corner with a bullhorn.”

The more support Dickerson experienced on campus, the more he wanted to carry that compassion to the law school community. “All these opportunities where I could share myself helped me break down my own walls. In turn, maybe they can help build someone else up. [This certification] is a starting point of letting people know they’re not alone. [My office] is a safe place to have a simple conversation, and sometimes that’s all people need to get them thinking differently.”

Dickerson’s windowless workspace is intentionally decorated with warm lighting and Spider-Man memorabilia on display. In a word, it feels safe. “It’s an extension of my personality and lets people’s guards down when they walk in. Especially because I’m not in the hierarchy. I’m not faculty. I’m not part of the dean’s office. I’m an IT professional. And for some, that’s more approachable.

“Not all [the Inclusive Partner workshops] are directly part of my life, but they’re part of somebody’s life. And if I’m more informed, it makes me a better-rounded employee and a better-rounded advocate.”