Introduction
The Human Space Program represents a group of individuals who have always been champions of diversity, unity, and inclusion. It’s central to who we are.
To carry forward that commitment, we have developed systems for accountability and guidance to ensure the integrity of our internal culture and outside influence through our work.
The Inclusion Council
Working together to foster a culture that celebrates our uniqueness and prioritizes our unity and vitality.
Meet our Inclusion Council Members →
Purpose
The purpose of the council is to leverage their diverse perspectives, wisdom, and guidance to shape the culture and decision-making processes of this organization.
It’s a central component of our commitment to ensuring that our future beyond Earth celebrates our uniqueness and prioritizes our unity, where everyone feels that they belong.
We are committed to holding ourselves accountable in our own behavior and to promoting inclusivity through all of our efforts as an organization, not just for our future, but for today.
“Once I got into space, I was feeling very comfortable in the universe. I felt like I had a right to be anywhere in this universe, that I belonged here as much as any speck of stardust, any comet, any planet.”
Former NASA Astronaut, Mae Jemison
Who
The Inclusion Council consists of diverse, empathetic leaders with a deep understanding of culture, gender, race, human behavior, social systems, and the interconnectedness of all things.
Role
- To shape the culture and policies of this organization and ensure that we are an exceptional example of inclusivity and diversity.
- To guide the design, development, and implementation of the Blueprint for Conscious Space Migration.
- To serve as an example and beacon that will represent inclusivity and diversity efforts beyond the work of the Human Space Program.
Meet our Inclusion Council Members →
We invite you to help support the Human Space Program Mission.
“A bird cannot fly with one wing only. Human space flight cannot develop any further without the active participation of women. ”
~ Jul 5, 2013
Valentina Tereshkova First woman in space, former Cosmonaut, 1963 Vostok 6 solo mission
How it Works
Council members are interwoven into the fabric of this organization. Council decisions are made as a collective, and finalized by a quorum vote when necessary. The council advises both the Human Space Program Board of Directors and Leadership Team.
Council members are invited to present information, conduct workshops, and otherwise guide and inspire our organization to deepen our understanding of inclusivity and more effectively cultivate it in our behavior.
Program
The council serves primarily as a development and accountability committee within the Human Space Program. As we develop initiatives, we bring in partners and collaborators and expand our efforts beyond the internal operations of this organization.
- Slack and Discord channels for ongoing communication and collaboration between internal members and external partners.
- Quarterly Strategy Meetings (mandatory for members)
- Weekly Development Meetings (internal staff and members on special projects)
- Events and Gatherings (2 - 3 per year, optional attendance)
- Outreach programs and Representation
Areas of Consideration
Advisory Council Advice
Strategic Planning
Legal & Organizational Policies
Communications
Marketing Campaigns
Company Culture
Personnel
Indigenous Wisdom Inclusion
Carrying forward the wisdom tradition of our Indigenous ancestors.
Our future in the rest of the solar system must include the guidance of the most successful, experienced, and devoted stewards of Earth’s ecosystems.
Our ancestors carry much of the wisdom we need to heal our relationship with each other and the Earth. They have been stewarding this planet since the dawn of humanity.
We are committed to weaving the Indigenous perspective into the culture of the space community and promoting the representation of Indigenous peoples and integration of Indigenous wisdom.
In November 23, 2002 NASA sent the first American Indian to space on the STS-113 Endeavor mission to the ISS.
John Bennett Herrington is a Former NASA Astronaut from the Chickasaw Nation.
Frank White had the honor of interviewing Herrington in The Overview Effect: Space Exploration and Human Evolution.
“You are no better than anyone else, and no one is better than you.”
Katherine Johnson
Former NASA Mathematician
As a “computer”, she calculated the precise trajectories that would let Apollo 11 land on the moon in 1969 and, after Neil Armstrong’s history-making moonwalk, let it return to Earth.
Work Flow
Updates on the organization are posted for Inclusion Council members to analyze on an ongoing basis. Council members provide immediate feedback to the leadership team.
Members are only responsible for attending quarterly meetings. However, everyone is welcome to be more involved.
- Members contribute to the best practices of the development of all programs and campaigns.
- Major strategies and plans that involve human resources and outward communications are advised by the council or submitted to solicit their feedback and advice.
- Members present their guidance, ideas, suggestions, and feedback at each quarterly Inclusion Council meeting.
- Marketing and other communications strategies best practices are advised by the council.
Meet our Inclusion Council Members →
Takei as Hikaru Sulu, helmsman of the starship USS Enterprise in Star Trek
“Our differences in beliefs do not truly separate us, or elevate us over others. Rather, they highlight the rich tapestry that is humanity.”
~ American actor and activist, George Takei
Additional Council Initiatives
These are initiatives that extend beyond our core, internal operations and the focus of our work. They are designed to help amplify the importance of inclusivity throughout the broader space community.
Part of the role of the Inclusion Council is to be a beacon for inclusivity, inspiring and equipping other organizations to adopt similar priorities and agreements.
- Accessibility to space and related programs.
- Inclusivity and diversity of genders, race, and socio-economics.
- Representation and integration of Indigenous wisdom.
- Developing programs, policies, and processes for ensuring systemic inclusivity and diversity.
- Events and gatherings to promote diversity and inclusion.
- Outreach work to inspire other organizations to develop their own Inclusion Council.
- Partnering and collaborating with aligned organizations and supporting their work.
- Cultivating alliances for the promotion of diversity, inclusion and equity.
Junior Inclusion Council
This program originated from Janet Ivey, president of Explore Mars and founder of Janet’s Planet. She now serves as the Director of the HSP Junior Inclusion Council.
To truly ensure an inclusive future for all of humanity, we must turn our attention toward today’s children, who will soon live in that future. It is imperative that we incorporate their perspectives and voices.
Together, we collect “stories from the field” that convey the voice of the world’s youth as it pertains to inclusivity and diversity. These stories are used to help guide and influence the decisions of the council and the entity it serves.
We provide internships and volunteer opportunities for interested members of the junior council and their networks in an effort to better prepare our leaders of tomorrow.
In addition to providing their voice to the primary council, the Junior Inclusion Council facilitates its own initiatives to promote inclusivity in their various communities through orchestrating their own events and initiatives
Benjamin Banneker
1731 – 1806
A free Black American mathematician, author, surveyor, landowner, slavery abolitionist, and farmer heralded as the first Black astronomer in the United States.
Equity, Inclusion, and Diversity (EID) Statement
Creation & Implementation
Our first act as a council is to craft our Equity, Inclusion, and Diversity (EID) Statement, to clearly articulate our commitment to facilitating an inclusive future and a culture where everyone belongs.
The statement will be reviewed and adopted by our Board of Directors and implemented throughout the leadership, culture, and policies. Once the EID Statement is implemented, the council will begin to integrate it into the fabric of the Human Space Program culture and infrastructure.
We invite you to help support the Human Space Program Mission.
Meet our Inclusion Council Members →
Some background on the Inclusion Council.
Open Model
Since its inception, we set out to create a model for a council that could be replicated in any organization, and certainly throughout our space community.
Just imagine what could become possible if it were expected that all organizations have their own Inclusion Council? We expect to see Boards of Directors and Boards of Advisors. Why not an Inclusion Council as well?
We’ve conducted scores of conversations and invited experts in to guide the development of this council. At this point, we have a system and model that could be adopted by anyone with a desire to ensure inclusivity within their community or organization.
If you’re interested in adopting the Inclusion Council model, we’re happy to share details and help guide you through the process.
Inclusion Terminology
We have chosen to use the term inclusion because it speaks to the idea of belonging. We view our world through the lens of the Overview Perspective.
From space, there are no borders. There is no division. We are all Earthlings. All made from star stuff. And everyone belongs.
We envision a future that celebrates and values every race, gender, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, level of education, and every other wonderfully unique aspect of being a human.
We’re all included on Spaceship Earth, and beyond. Everyone is invited.
Council Origin
In February of 2020, Jared Angaza was helping develop the identity and strategy of Space for Humanity, a member of the Human Space Program ecosystem. It was a tumultuous moment with the outbreak of COVID-19 and rising racial tensions in the US.
It was time to make a statement. Though statements are meaningful, they are not enough. We needed strong commitments and systems to ensure that those statements are upheld with integrity.
The Space for Humanity Inclusion Council is still running today. When Jared joined the Human Space Program, he brought the council model with him.
This council will surely grow and evolve. But right now, we are taking the first steps in honoring our commitment to ensuring an inclusive future in space, for all of humanity
Meet our Inclusion Council Members →
If you are interested in supporting our Inclusion council or adopting our model in your own organization, let us know. We are always eager to support others as they contribute to a more inclusive future here on Earth, and beyond.
Programs
The Human Space Program is a registered US-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
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