Dr. Sommer Jabbar-Pearson | Women to Watch Honoree
- Year: 2025
- Location: WomanUp and Celebrate West Michigan
Director of Inclusion & Belonging for the Grand Rapids Chamber
Dr.Sommer Jabbar-Pearson is an accomplished leader, educator, and advocate, dedicated to fostering inclusion and belonging in both educational and organizational spaces. A proud Palestinian American and the daughter of immigrants, Sommer’s lived experiences deeply inform her commitment to equity and justice.
Sommer holds a doctoral degree in Organizational Change and Leadership, with her dissertation focusing on belonging for immigrant and refugee students in the American school system and its impact on their academic success. As a first-generation American and former English language learner, she brings a unique perspective to her work in education, diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB).
With extensive experience as a teacher and DEIB professional, Sommer now serves as the Director of Inclusion and Belonging for the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce.
A passionate advocate for marginalized communities, Sommer has developed and facilitated transformative training programs centered around inclusion. She specializes in creating pathways for newcomers and underrepresented community members to thrive academically and socially by addressing systemic inequities and fostering a sense of belonging.
Sommer’s career reflects a profound dedication to uplifting others, inspiring change, and building equitable communities. Her leadership and advocacy are a testament to her unwavering belief in the power of belonging to transform lives.
