Diversity has always been at the core of JDew’s mission, be it on stage, on screen, or in community leadership. That commitment deepened when he became a Riley Fellow through Furman University’s Diversity Leaders Initiative (DLI), a nationally recognized program that convenes leaders across South Carolina to tackle real-world challenges through the lens of equity and inclusion.
JDew was part of the Upstate Class XXX in Fall 2021, participating entirely virtually during the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the limitations of distance, the experience was deeply immersive. JDew collaborated with fellow cohort members on a capstone group project called “IAAM Upstate Awareness,” designed to bring attention to the International African American Museum in Charleston and its relevance to Upstate communities. It was a project that matched his lifelong passion for using storytelling to connect, educate, and unify.
The Diversity Leaders Initiative brings together leaders from all sectors, business, education, government, and nonprofit, to engage in courageous conversations about race, difference, and systemic barriers. Becoming a Riley Fellow means joining a network of more than 2,500 individuals statewide who are committed to leading inclusively and with empathy. For JDew, it affirmed the mission behind One Voice Show, to amplify voices from history that still speak powerfully to today’s cultural and social realities.
One Voice Show is not just entertainment; it’s an act of representation, education, and healing. As a Riley Fellow, JDew continues to apply the principles of the Fellowship, dialogue, authenticity, and shared purpose, to every performance and community initiative. His time with the Riley Institute is a testament to the idea that diversity is not just a value, but a practice.
Through platforms like One Voice Show, JDew is helping ensure that the stories of courageous figures, many of whom fought for equality and justice, remain visible, vibrant, and relevant for all audiences.