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Yvette Upton, Ed.D.
Yvette Upton, Ed.D.
Creating an equitable world is deeply personal to me.
When I was in 8th grade, my state chose not to honor the new federal Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday. That day at my school, every teacher in every subject – English, math, science, and so on – taught us about Dr. King. We learned about his life and his work, and we listened to the visionary words of his “I Have a Dream” speech. It was a powerful and moving day for me and has served as a cornerstone in my education about civil rights.
Growing up in a low-income household, raised by my grandmother, I quickly saw the parallels between the struggles we faced and those of other marginalized groups. I also realized how much harder our lives could have been if we were not white. Throughout my life, I have continued to observe, read, listen, and learn from the world around me. I see the systems in place that challenge our abilities to see each other as fully human, and I hope, even in some small way, to contribute to creating a more accepting and loving world.
With my grandmother’s encouragement and dedication, I was able to focus on school and earn a full scholarship to college. This scholarship gave me the chance to move toward financial stability. I went on to earn a B.A. in Journalism and an M.A. in Women’s Studies from Georgia State University, and later an Ed.D. in Higher Education Management from the University of Georgia (UGA). I am humbled by the support, mentoring, and opportunities to achieve I have received in my life. This awareness – that I am an exception for receiving opportunities – fuels my passion for addressing systemic barriers in our society.
I have spent most of my life, personally and professionally, centering work toward equity, whether on college campuses or in the community. My favorite role, by far, was serving as the inaugural director of the Women's Resource Center at Georgia Tech for a decade on a campus that was then 72% male students.
A native Georgian, I currently live in Savannah, Georgia, where I can be seen biking and scootering with my family around town and making “good trouble” whenever the need arises.
Want to learn more about my professional background?
Connect with me on LinkedIn.
Beyond the Workshops
Beyond the Workshops
Racial and gender equity are at the core of all my work, including outreach in the community. Here are a few highlights of recent media of my personal and professional work: the Georgia Tech Women’s Resource Center’s 25th Anniversary, a collaborative community art exhibit focused on racial healing, and a cast recap with the Performers for Social Justice, a theater group that offers staged readings of plays centered around social justice awareness. Woven through these distinct activities is an intentional focus on inclusive community-building.
Do you have an idea that goes beyond the usual workshop format? I’m happy to discuss creative options for engaging your organization!
Women at Tech: Celebrating the Past, Present, and Future”
GT Alumni Magazine, 2023
I was honored to be interviewed about my time as the inaugural director of the Women’s Resource Center at Georgia Tech for the GT Alumni Magazine.
Women’s Resource Center’s 25th Anniversary, March 2023
I was invited to lead the planning of the 25th Anniversary of the Women’s Resource Center at Georgia Tech in Spring 2023. We collaborated on this 5-minute video that highlights the WRC's impact at Georgia Tech.
“Love, Loss and What I Wore” Cast Recap
Rosé All Day with Just Juleigh, August 2023
As cast members of “Love, Loss and What I Wore,” produced by Performers for Social Justice Awareness, we discuss the show and the personal meaning behind our characters in this video podcast.
“The Universe Within” Womb Maker
Sister Song: The Requiem · Aug 5, 2022
I was invited to co-create a womb for Sister Song: The Requiem, a community-based project, led by artist LaShawnda Crowe Storm. The exhibit examines how art and community co-creation processes can be used to heal the intergenerational trauma associated with enslavements and its aftermaths. The exhibit was held at the Tube Factory, Indianapolis, IN, from August 5 - October 16, 2022.
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