Making true progress in the journey toward a more diverse and inclusive profession can seem daunting, but that doesn't mean it's impossible. And doing nothing isn't an option if we want to achieve our true potential.

Emmanuel John, PT, DPT, PhD, MBA, MPH, the speaker for this year's Lynda D. Woodruff Lecture on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Physical Therapy, wants the profession to understand the costs of underrepresentation and lack of belonging, the real possibilities for change, and the ways change will benefit everyone. He will present his lecture, titled "Without Us, We Are Not Complete: Proffering Pragmatic Solutions to Combating the Costs to Society of the Lack of Diversity and Representation in the Profession of Physical Therapy" online June 15 at 7 p.m. ET. The event is free and will be followed by a live panel discussion.

As a run-up to the lecture, we asked John a few questions.