Ashley Smalls

Background

Ashley Smalls is a distinguished library professional and a lifelong resident of Charlotte, with a robust background in education and a fervent dedication to bridging the gap between academic research and real-world business practices. She currently serves as a librarian for Charlotte Mecklenburg Library, where she leverages her extensive knowledge to enhance access to information and resources for diverse communities.

She has spearheaded numerous initiatives to promote diversity and inclusion within the library profession and the broader business landscape. Her work highlights the disparities in senior management and provides practical solutions to address these challenges, which significantly impact academic discourse and industry practices.

She obtained her M.L.I.S. from North Carolina Central University and her B.S. from Winston-Salem State University. Ashley is active within her community and is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., Black Caucus of the American Library Association, Business Librarianship of North Carolina and the North Carolina Library Association.

Ashley Smalls is a wife and a mother. She enjoys reading, traveling and spending time with family in her spare time.

Ashley Smalls advocates for a more inclusive and equitable future, striving to make a tangible difference in the academic and business worlds. Ashley aspires to ascend to a senior-level leadership role where she can directly influence organizational policies and practices to foster a more inclusive and equitable workplace. She is passionate about teaching and aims to impart her knowledge and experience to the next generation of leaders as an adjunct professor. She is committed to mentoring and creating opportunities for future minority leaders and establishing leadership development initiatives as she promotes representation and minority corporate leadership.

Research Interest

In pursuing the DBA at UNC Charlotte, Ashley’s research will focus on minorities in senior management and corporate executive roles in various industries. Ashley’s findings will highlight and quantify the racial disparities and persistent inequities and provide evidence-based strategies for organizations to dismantle systemic barriers, promote diversity and create pathways for minority advancement in corporate leadership.