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Dr. Ayanna Cummings is passionate about eradicating the malignant diseases of racism, sexism, heterosexism, ageism, ableism, and other ills which plague our social and organizational environments. She has over 22 years of experience as a diversity consultant, researcher, sourcer, director, specialist, and trainer. She also served as an undergraduate Lecturer for twenty years at various institutions in the Northeastern and Southeastern United States, including an immediate prior role on the Faculty at Georgia Institute of Technology in the School of Psychology where she also completed Post-doctoral studies on racial bias in AI Systems for Performance Appraisal and Recruiting. Her scientific research seeks to examine the plight of, issues affecting, and identification of solutions relevant to African Americans and other diverse and marginalized groups. Her research findings give her unique expertise in diversity, equity, & inclusion training, consulting strategies, and cultural change methods. 

Prior to being offered the role of Director of Diversity + Inclusion for Compass Group National Accounts, Dr. Cummings worked with R. Thomas Consulting of Atlanta and Blackbird Leadership of New York City, as well as her own company Tapestry Consulting, LLC. She has served as Diversity Specialist with Terry University Systems (http://mytus.org). She wrote, produced, directed, and narrated her own Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion training video and accompanying workbook, “Lifting the Veil of Hatred,” available for purchase online at http://tapestrydiversity.com.

Dr. Cummings holds a PhD in Industrial/Organizational Psychology from the City University of New York Graduate Center in Manhattan as well as the MBA in Marketing from Clark Atlanta University. She also holds the SPHR Certification.  Dr. Cummings is a Presidential Scholar and alumnus of her beloved alma mater, Hampton University in Hampton, Virginia, where she was inducted into the Forty Under 40 Honor Society in 2018. She is a proud active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. She holds an appointment as a Research Psychologist with the American Institute for Behavioral Research and Technology in Vista, California. Her research was presented at the 2020 American Psychological Association Virtual Conference in August 2020. She is the author of the book, “Power, Culture and Race” published in 2018 & 2020 by Xlibris, and her latest book released in 2022, "Seated at the Table."

Dr. Cummings holds certifications in Diversity in the Workplace, Inclusive and Ethical Leadership, Yellow Belt Lean Six Sigma for DEI, and is currently pursuing her Certified Diversity Executive CDE credential along with a second Master of Science degree with a DEI Concentration at Touro University Worldwide.

Dr. Ayanna Cummings is an avid reader, a skilled and talented cellist and vocalist, and a mommy of two beloved Cocker Spaniels Zuri and Omari.  

Her favorite motto is, “The Secret to Growing Wings is Believing You Can Fly!”