Sept. 21, 2023 - On Tuesday, Sept. 14, the St. Louis Business Journal presented Dr. Michael Maclin with its Champions for Diversity and Inclusion Award. He was one of 14 individuals to receive the 2023 award at a luncheon held at the St. Louis Union Station Hotel. 

“I’m truly humbled to be honored by the St. Louis Business Journal with this recognition,” says Maclin, SSD’s executive director of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility. “I’m proud to represent all the individuals who have worked and have a passion for K-12 education. The award ceremony was great because it wasn’t just a diverse group of champions who were being recognized, but champions of diversity. These awards demonstrate that anyone can be a champion of diversity.”

Maclin and his award cohort were honored for showing exceptional commitment to advancing diversity, inclusion, and equity in the workplace and in the St. Louis community. The honorees represent some of the region’s largest public and private companies, universities, and nonprofit organizations, including Edward Jones, World Wide Technology, Clayco, and Washington University. Maclin is the only winner from the field of K-12 education, and the only SSD recipient since the awards started in 2005. All award winners are profiled in the SLBJ.

Since he began his SSD career in 2020, Maclin has shepherded the District toward developing and implementing a multi-year, systemic approach to addressing DEIA issues at the student and staff levels. Recognizing the importance of ensuring all students and staff have what they need to be successful, stakeholders selected equity as one of three District core values for the 2020-25 strategic plan. 

Maclin praised the SLBJ for its efforts to highlight some of the individuals who are leading systemic change in St. Louis organizations by advancing DEIA ideals. In SSD, he is passionate about what he calls “granitification,” or allowing individuals to retain their core identities in synchrony with their organization’s success. 

One of Maclin’s nominators, a parent of a former SSD student, says, “I know the importance of the system being rooted in equity, especially for those most in need. As I have watched Special School District over the last four years, I have been impressed by how changes in equity have impacted the system and resulted in a more just educational environment. Dr. Maclin has been a change agent for all.”

Maclin holds a doctorate in leadership in teaching and learning; a master’s degree in educational administration; a master’s degree in guidance and counseling; and a bachelor’s degree in communications from Missouri Baptist University. He also received a racial equity facilitator certificate from Harvard University.