NYU Steinhardt Anti-Racism Task Force Hosts Event on “Reimagining Belonging in Occupational Therapy”

On February 4, the NYU Steinhardt Occupational Therapy (OT) Anti-Racism Task Force hosted a virtual event called “Reimagining Belonging in OT: Transforming Learning, Mentorship, and Practice.” This interactive workshop examined how the historical foundations of OT continue to shape classroom norms, expectations, and barriers to belonging within the field.

The event’s speaker was Tyra M. Banks, EdD, MS, OTR/L, assistant professor of rehabilitation and regenerative medicine and director of student engagement and belonging for Columbia University's OT programs. With over two decades of experience as an occupational therapist in pediatric settings, she blends extensive clinical expertise with a scholarship agenda centered on anti-racism, as well as diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) in health professional education.

“Dr. Banks is wonderful and has been doing this work for a long time,” says Tripta Velamoor, clinical assistant professor of occupational therapy at Steinhardt and chair of the Anti-Racism Task Force. “She’s very passionate about and well versed in anti-racism in both pedagogy and practice. She got us to think deeply about our individual practices, whether they are academic or clinical in nature, in both theoretical and practical ways.”

The event was attended by classroom and clinical educators and students from NYU Steinhardt’s Department of Occupational Therapy, as well as practitioners from the program’s fieldwork sites. During her presentation, Banks discussed the history of OT and how many of the field’s frameworks were developed from white, Western perspectives—a reality that needs to be questioned and explored to provide equitable care for all clients.

This work is not about fixing individuals to fit OT models. It’s about transforming the system to support all students, practitioners, colleagues, and clients.

Tyra M. Banks, EdD, MS, OTR/L

"We must ask ourselves honestly: Are individuals from minoritized backgrounds truly allowed to engage in the occupation of 'student or practitioner' as their full, authentic selves and be seen as capable, competent, and belonging in this profession?” said Banks. “This question challenges us not only to reflect on who gets access, but how they are expected to behave once they’re here. This work is not about fixing individuals to fit OT models. It’s about transforming the system to support all students, practitioners, colleagues, and clients."

The NYU Steinhardt OT Anti-Racism Task Force was created in 2020 to address oppressive practices and increase equity of underrepresented voices in our academic programs.

“In many healthcare professions, including occupational therapy, the practitioners are predominantly female and white, while the clients they serve often come from different racial, ethnic, and cultural groups,” says Velamoor. “This is an existing power differential, so we are focused on doing the work that needs to be done to balance those interactions and develop a rapport so that clients feel safe and supported by current and future OT practitioners.”