Connect

This is the latest installment in our Connect article series “Hope at Work” — showcasing inspiring stories about how our team members contribute to UVA Health’s 10-year strategic plan: “One Future Together Health and Hope for All.” No matter where you work, you have an opportunity to inspire hope in others. These stories show how.

Growing up in Port of Spain, capital of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago in the Caribbean — Kyle Bowman, Sr., didn't know his life eventually would lead him thousands of miles away, to several careers of service.

‘Invaluable Asset’

He served in the U.S. Army for more than six years, then worked for the Virginia Department of Corrections, before joining UVA in 2000. Bowman held roles in the University’s Office of African American Affairs, Residence Life, Business Services, Undergraduate Operations, and Contemplative Sciences Center — then joined UVA Health Claude Moore Health Sciences Library in 2018 — rising to Unit Administrator in 2023. It all adds up to a quarter century of service to UVA and UVA Health!

How did Bowman land at the library? A colleague on the academic side encouraged him to apply. “Honestly, I was apprehensive, as I had little knowledge of working in a library or health system, but I knew my skills and experience would correlate. It was during the interviews and meeting team members that made it all gel to where I knew the library was the right place for me!”

“Kyle’s extensive experience and deep commitment to service make him an invaluable asset to the Claude Moore Health Sciences Library and UVA Health,” hails Bart Ragon EdD, MLIS, Director, Claude Moore Health Sciences Library. “His willingness to collaborate and foster meaningful partnerships — such as those with UVA Health Office of Diversity and Community Engagement (ODCE) — reflects his dedication to our shared ASPIRE values of accountability, stewardship, professionalism, integrity, respect, and equity.”

Embracing Equity

According to its IDEA (Inclusivity, Diversity, Equity, Accessibility) Statement, UVA Health Claude Moore Health Sciences Library declares its commitment “to fostering an environment that supports scholarship at the highest level and lifelong learning. In this pursuit, we aspire to create a culture of engagement, belonging, and trust through our ASPIRE values. We embrace equity in the broadest sense — as a means to promote fairness, opportunity, and inclusion to ensure that every person who needs our resources, services, and spaces — finds them universally accessible.”

As a veteran and a member of the Executive Committee of the UVA Military Veterans Employee Group, Bowman actively supports that community through events such as breakfasts around Grounds and exploring initiatives such as a mentoring program. “Kyle has a passion for helping others,” praises Ragon. 

As Unit Administrator, Bowman serves as one of the liaisons between the library and ODCE. “From its inception, the library has served as a resource for ODCE and Dr. Tracy M. Downs and his team,” explains Bowman. “We collaborate on events and activities. ODCE has an office space in the library that offers high visibility within the footprint of the health system, which additionally allows for easy and consistent communication between our offices.”

Deep Rooted

Bowman shares that the people of Trinidad and Tobago are known as Trinidadians or Trinbagonians and are a multiracial people. “Having been born in the West Indian heritage, I have a mixed culture that is unique and deep rooted.”

He shares that Christopher Columbus landed on Trinidad in 1498 and encountered indigenous Taíno people; then, Trinidad was occupied by Spain and Great Britain. “Like the Americas, Trinidad was heavily influenced by the influx of enslaved Africans through 1834 — when Great Britan abolished slavery only to replace it with indentured servants and other Europeans seeking new opportunities to the West.”

In 1888, Trinidad and Tobago became one — and gained independence in 1962 to form a republic in 1968. “This is to help explain the history and cultural diversity that evolved and is Trinidad and Tobago today. I am what most Trinidadians would call a “Dougla” (of mixed African and Indian ethnicity); however, my racial identity also has Spanish and Asian ties, so I would more accurately be multiracial.”

He adds, “Here in the United States of America — I am considered Black and being an American by naturalization, I guess that identifies me as Black American or African American, however inaccurate that may be. I am multiracial, multicultural — but above all I am simply me: Kyle L. Bowman, Sr.”

‘Sharing One Planet’

Bowman shares that this Black History Month, the library’s Historical Collections Department is displaying in the lobby, content on African American physicians and other prominent persons. On the library’s website, its marketing team is highlighting books and reference materials with a focus on African American history.

“Black History Month represents an opportunity to reflect on the past but also to think and hope about the future,” says Bowman. “If nothing else, Black History Month — along with all other recognized and unrecognized ethnic, religious or racial months or holidays — should be used as a time not only for self-reflection — but also for general awareness and acceptance of our inherent differences as human beings sharing one planet.”