For immediate release | June 16, 2021

Kevin D. Strowder to lead ALA’s Office for Diversity, Literacy and Outreach Services

CHICAGO — The American Library Association (ALA) announced today that Kevin D. Strowder has been selected to lead the organization’s Office for Diversity, Literacy and Outreach Services. His first day will be Monday, June 21.

An experienced nonprofit professional with more than a decade of leading and designing programs to promote diversity metrics and uphold inclusive practices, Strowder will take leadership of an office with three focus areas – diversity, literacy and outreach services to underserved populations – that manages prominent programs, initiative, awards, and relationships that support equity and inclusion through a lens of social justice.

Strowder comes to ALA from Embarc Chicago, an organization that serves low-income high school students and prepares them for college and career success, where he served as senior program manager, climate and culture. His previous position includes work with Chicago Cares, the Center on Halsted, and Mercy Home for Boys and Girls.

He earned a B.A. in Industrial Psychology from Lakeland University and an M.A. in Organizational Development from Roosevelt University.

Special thanks to the selection committee: Martin Garnar, director of the library, Amherst College, Massachusetts; Valerie Bell, director, Athens Regional Library System, Georgia; Deborah Caldwell-Stone, director, ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom; Aimee Strittmatter, executive director, Association for Library Service to Children, a division of ALA; Lorelle Swader, Associate Executive Director (AED), ALA Offices & Member Relations and interim AED, Human Resources & Organizational Development; and Melissa Walling, director, ALA Member Relations & Services.

Contact:

Lorelle Swader

Associate Executive Director

American Library Association

Offices & Member Relations, ALA-Allied Professional Association

lswader@ala.org