Dr. Easley is the child of civil rights activists that protested in the children’s march in 1963 at the height of the Civil Right movement and integrated an all-white school in Toledo, Ohio. Their influence, along with his own lived experience, led Dr. Easley to devote his career to supporting minoritized groups in the conservation space and increasing diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility within that field. He was the inaugural Assistant Dean of Community and Inclusion at the School of the Environment at Yale University and the inaugural Dean of Community and Inclusion at North Carolina State University. Dr. Easley attended Alabama A&M University for his Bachelor’s degree, Iowa State University for his Master’s degree, and North Carolina State University for his Doctorate. He has backgrounds in forestry, genetics, and adult education.

Dr. Easley is a certified diversity, equity and inclusion consultant. Through his business, Mind Heart for Diversity Consulting, he works with academic institutions, corporate entities, and other organizations to help them actualize a strong diversity initiative that welcomes everyone and shifts work culture to be equitable. He also addresses these issues in his book, Mind Heart for Diversity.

In addition to his roles above, Dr. Easley is a musical artist, professor, Eagle Scout, and a former campus pastor. He intentionally merges conscious lyrics, ecumenical spirituality, land stewardship, education, diversity/equity/inclusion principles and entrepreneurial thinking in his lectures, workshops and presentations.