Texas State Bobcat makes impact as an Inclusion Educator & Consultant

Texas State University student affairs in higher education graduate student Qy’Darrius McEachern has founded an education firm, McEachernSpeaks, to support offices, organizations, workplaces, and schools to create equitable spaces and innovate justice for individuals of color.

After having the opportunity to speak at the TXST Leadership Institute Annual Conference on the topic of microaggressions, McEachern had an interaction that became a defining moment in launching his education firm.

“After this session, I was approached by an audience member who had benefitted heavily from the presentation and wanted me to speak to her dance organization,” McEachern said. “This made me pivot, as I was realizing that I could use this gift to reach more people,” McEachern added.

McEachern shared that it had taken him a few months following the event to construct the identity of McEachernSpeaks, as he wanted to be educated and prepared for the work he would offer.

“McEachernSpeaks began as a speaking endeavor but has evolved into a true education firm that is equipped to provide strategy sessions, action-oriented training, and critical conversations to my clients,” McEachern said.  “I needed to create immerse experiences which provide support from multiple angles to create lasting change in the space.”

As McEachern helps organizations analyze unjust systems and create just spaces, discussions surrounding racism and lack of inclusion can be hard to tackle. He has shared how he remains motivated in tackling these topics.

“I feel the harm from the lack of equity and inclusion on campus as a Black man and have wrestled with how to make an impact and change that for students nationwide,” McEachern said. “I continue to stay motivated because I see the real implications that racist, exclusive policies, rules, and regulations have on individuals with marginalized identities.”

When it comes to gauging the success and impact of his work, McEachern shared that he does so in several ways.

“I do not believe there is a finite definition of success in this work,” McEachern said. “I have an assessment at the end of my experiences with clients that analyzes the content of the training, my effectiveness as a consultant & educator, and the impact had on the individuals,” he added.McEachern has also stated that he gauges success based on interactions with his clients. When clients tell him how they feel empowered or about the conversations they are now having, it shows McEachern that his work has an impact.