Rebecca Latin 

Rebecca Latin is the Southern Poverty Law Center’s justice, equity, diversity and inclusion (JEDI) director. She provides strategic leadership and oversight of the SPLC’s internal and external commitment to the JEDI principles.

Before joining the SPLC, Latin served as the interim vice president for diversity and inclusion at Salem State University in Massachusetts. She also developed initiatives at the university to inspire young men and women of color to reach their true potential – initiatives that garnered regional and national attention. Earlier, she served as the assistant director of diversity education and inclusive community building at the University of Kentucky, where she developed the university’s first peer-to-peer education group focused on diversity.

Latin is also committed to community. She serves several local and regional public service organizations, including as a trustee of the Rutland Corner Foundation (RCF). RCF empowers self-identified girls and young women ages 11 to 20 through supporting community-based organizations within the Greater Boston area. She is also a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority and an active member of its alumnae chapter for Georgia’s Douglas, Carroll and Paulding counties. Latin serves on the board of directors of Girls Inc. of Kingsport in Tennessee.

Latin received her master’s degree in education with a specialization in higher education administration from Middle Tennessee State University. She received her bachelor’s degree in criminal justice administration from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.