2021 40 Under Forty Awards
Joi-DanIelle Whitehead | 39 | Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Access, Brown University, Division of Pre-College and Summer Undergraduate Programs
What advice would you give your 22-year-old self? Spend more time with the elders in the family. To cherish them, interview them, write about them, seek their advice and wisdom, laugh with them and take lots of pictures.
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What moment changed your life more than any other? Becoming a parent. My children are these beautiful little humans with so much joy, curiosity, intelligence and love, and the responsibility of helping them navigate life as they grow is a colossal and very important responsibility that I think about and try to be intentional about each day.
What is your favorite Rhode Island food or drink? Pizza and Italian grinders from Steve’s Pizza, which was located near the corner of Park Avenue and Broad Street in Cranston. My favorite drink is lemonade from Mr. Lemon in Providence!
What was your last Netflix or Amazon Prime binge watch? “In Our Mother’s Gardens.”
What are you looking forward to doing again the most post-pandemic? I am most looking forward to family reunions and traveling down to Richmond, Va., to spend time with extended family and engage in genealogical research at the historical societies and museums in that area.
What is your favorite song? “Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood” by Nina Simone.
THE PROP: In the spirit of Ubuntu, which is often translated as “I am, because you are,” Joi-Danielle Whitehead holds a wedding photo of her parents. “My parents, who are retired educators, drove home the importance of servant leadership and serving our communities through acts of kindness, community organizing, education and advocacy,” she says.
