Tag: equity

QUOTES

“Inclusion is a feeling. If you ask someone, ‘Do you feel included?’ there usually isn’t a set of metrics, it comes from a feeling that can be nurtured and fostered.” (Marvell)

“Diversity really is a choice. Unless those decisions are made courageously, diversity may not show up.” (Marvell)

“You can Google a lot of things. You can ChatGPT a lot of things. But this is purposely a space for people to be posed with questions that allow them to look inwardly.” (Marvell)

“If staff can’t feel safe coming into the organization in a whole host of ways, then we really have lost the battle already for retaining the best talent.” (Marvell)

“You can’t pour anything from an empty cup. If there’s nothing to pour out, there’s nothing to give.” (Marvell)

“Each time a caregiver engages with a loved one, they’re giving of themselves. We also recognize you can’t give from an empty cup.” (Marvell)

“Longevity is inextricably tied to inclusion. The longer we live, the more influence there will be on our paths—and that is tied to the diversity of experience.” (Marvell)

“Inclusion is about planning the welcome party. You’ve got to know who’s coming and make sure they feel like they belong once they arrive.” (Marvell)

“If 90% of your age- and income-qualified prospects are staying home and you aren’t considering some sort of at-home offshoot of your community, you’re missing an opportunity.” (Marvell)

“Leadership succession is not just about finding the next CEO, it’s about preparing your organization for the day you’re not there.” (Marvell)

“If the board asks, ‘What’s the succession plan?’ and all you have is a name on a paper for FMLA, then you don’t have a real plan.” (Marvell)

“Recognizing your strengths are throughout your organization and tapping into them—that’s how you grow your team and your impact.” (Marvell)

 

NOTES

Marvell Adams, Jr. is a nationally respected leader in aging services with over 20 years of experience ranging from nursing home administrator to CEO. He’s known for advancing equity and inclusion across senior living and long-term care sectors through visionary leadership and collaborative action.

Marvell is the founder of W. Lawson, a consulting firm focused on creating inclusive, equitable environments in aging services. He also serves as CEO of Caregiver Action Network, a national nonprofit providing free resources to family caregivers across the U.S.

At W. Lawson, Marvell co-leads the Longevity and Inclusion Alliance Fellows Program, a virtual leadership initiative designed to help aging services professionals embed diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) into their communities. The program is intentionally immersive, centering self-reflection, safe dialogue, and peer-to-peer learning. Under Marvell’s leadership, 

Caregiver Action Network supports more than 105 million unpaid family caregivers through resources, advocacy, and partnerships—especially as caregiving needs accelerate across generations and cultures.

Inclusion is more than a metric, it’s a feeling. Creating inclusive communities starts by fostering spaces where people can bring their whole selves.

Diversity is a conscious decision. Leaders must make bold, intentional choices to hire, serve, and represent diverse voices.

Many older adults are rejecting traditional senior living; providers must adapt by integrating at-home and intergenerational models of engagement.

Leadership succession should begin before retirement is near. “Preparing the organization for when you’re not there” is key to long-term resilience.

Most caregivers don’t plan to become caregivers—they’re thrust into it. Support must be immediate, empathetic, and culturally competent.

“You can’t pour anything from an empty cup.” Caregivers must prioritize their own well-being to sustainably care for others.

Caregiver Action Network is innovating through partnerships like its new Innovation Council, connecting startups and tech solutions to real caregiver needs.

Inclusion in action means planning a true welcome—tailored support, cultural sensitivity, and community integration—not just marketing promises.

Recently on Varsity’s Roundtable we recently welcomed Marvell Adams, Jr. of the Longevity and Inclusion Alliance Fellows Program for an insightful discussion about equity in aging. 

Marvell, a leader with over 20 years of experience in aging services, has held roles ranging from CEO to nursing home administrator. His mission? To address systemic disparities and create equitable housing, support, and services for older adults. 

Here are some fresh perspectives from that conversation. 

INTERGENERATIONAL DYNAMICS ARE EVOLVING

The conversation explored the growing complexities at the intersection of inclusion and longevity. As people live longer, intergenerational dynamics are evolving, with older adults and their families supporting one another in unique ways—whether through caregiving, helping with grandchildren, or fostering community connections. However, much of this sense of community has been lost.

DEMOGRAPHICS ARE ALSO EVOLVING

In the next 15 years, the population of older adults will grow from 56 million to over 80 million—a nearly 50% increase, according to census data. More than half of this growth will come from Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC), whose numbers will double by 2040. Similarly, the number of older adults identifying as LGBTQ+ is projected to grow significantly, though these figures are likely underreported due to historical gaps in data collection.

SENIOR LIVING SYSTEMS NEED TO EVOLVE TOO

This shift reveals a critical challenge: the systems serving older adults weren’t designed with such diverse populations in mind. While not a critique of their foundations, it highlights the need to adapt and evolve these systems to ensure they are inclusive and capable of meeting the needs of a changing, more diverse aging population.

MEET POPULATIONS WHERE THEY ARE

Marvell highlighted Keswick, a skilled nursing community in Baltimore, as an example of mission-driven outreach. They’ve invested heavily in a PACE program in West Baltimore, serving a population different from their typical clientele. Marvell emphasized that if people don’t come to you, part of the mission may involve going to them—through services like at-home care or community-based programs—demonstrating that outreach has no limits when rooted in purpose.

Varsity’s Roundtable is a weekly virtual gathering of senior living marketers and leaders from across the nation. For updates about future weekly Roundtable gatherings, submit your name and email address here.