Partnership Marks Milestone in Advancing Black Scholarship
Three years ago, on the heels of a Black Lives Matter Movement energized after the horror of George Floyd’s murder, the global academic publisher Sage partnered with the Black-owned Universal Write Publications (UWP).
This partnership, demonstrating a unified mission for social justice and reinventing the narrative from helping the marginalized to instead allowing the qualified to implement their self-determination without obstructions, testifies to the partners’ joint dedication towards fostering equity in the academic landscape. As we celebrate this pivotal collaboration, it is essential to understand why supporting UWP is not just a matter of academic responsibility but also a strategic business decision.
As a scholar, founder, and publisher of UWP, I am deeply involved in this sphere and can attest to this collaboration’s transformative impact. Despite the wealth of knowledge that Black scholars contribute, they often meet prejudice, censorship, and rejection. UWP’s partnership with SAGE empowered us to provide a platform where their voices are not just valued but included in the space of mutual knowledge platforms, information sharing across demographics, and opening up the conversation of who we are side by side, in the most crucial act of scholarship.
By championing this cause, SAGE and UWP are challenging outdated practices and helping reshape the future of publishing.
Why Support UWP?
Supporting UWP is more than allyship; it is a strategic investment in the diversity and inclusivity of academic and business research. Here’s why engaging with UWP’s publications is crucial for all seeking deeper and richer understandings about the world around us and who we are together:
- Enhancing Research Diversity: UWP’s catalog includes groundbreaking works on topics such as Education, Psychology, and Black Studies while adding ethnographic research using poetry as science in A2 (Poetical Science) and Hip Hop. These essential titles help researchers understand and address issues of racial and cultural dynamics, while incorporating these perspectives into how we interrogate research and teach how to learn and study enriches the quality and scope of academic inquiry.
- Driving Business Innovation: Including diverse viewpoints is not just a matter of academic rigor but also a driver of business innovation. Companies and institutions prioritizing diversity in research and business practices often gain a competitive edge. UWP’s publications offer valuable insights that can inform more inclusive and effective business strategies.
- Building a Robust Ecosystem: UWP’s commitment to expanding its reach and impact—evidenced by its new eCommerce site, increased accessibility through eBooks, and partnerships with EBSCO—demonstrates a proactive approach to creating a more inclusive academic environment.
A Call to Action
As we move into the fourth year of this partnership, it is our hope that researchers, faculty, and business leaders actively support and engage with UWP’s publications. Here’s how you can contribute:
- Incorporate UWP Titles in Your Research: By selecting UWP’s publications, you contribute to a more diverse and comprehensive academic discourse.
- Promote UWP’s Work: Use your platforms and networks to advocate for UWP’s publications, helping to increase their visibility and impact.
- Collaborate with UWP: Explore opportunities for collaboration with UWP, whether through joint research projects, sponsorships, or speaking engagements.
Supporting Universal Write Publications is about promoting diversity and investing in a richer, more inclusive academic and business landscape. The progress achieved through the UWP-SAGE partnership should be a model for future publishing, and your support is crucial for sustaining and expanding these efforts. Together, we can drive meaningful change and ensure diverse voices continue shaping the academic and business worlds.
Your commitment to this vital cause will make your history a champion of the innovation and collaborative partnerships necessary for the new vision and growth that are already visible.
