Lander University will wrap up its Race and Identity Dialogue in the month of April, with two virtual sessions for students, faculty, staff and members of the public.
The first session, titled "Race, Politics and Civic Action," will take place on Thursday, April 8, at 5:30 p.m. This session is an interview with Todd Shaw, a scholar of race and politics, social movements, and civic action. Dr. Shaw will be asked to overview how race has been and is tied to American politics, and how political and social change have been affected by individuals and groups through civic action. As a person of color who has held leadership roles in a university and in professional organizations, Dr. Shaw will also be asked to provide advice to students to enhance professionalization and be aware of institutional and systemic racism. The interview will be moderated by Dr. Lucas McMillan, dean of Lander's College of Behavioral and Social Sciences.
The final session, titled "Civic Engagement and Your Own Story," will take place on Thursday, April 22, at 5:30 p.m. The session will cover how citizens can engage in activities to promote justice, highlighting the work of neighborhood councils, non-profit organizations and faith communities. Speakers will include Dr. Shaunette Parker, visiting lecturer of psychology; The Rev. Alexis Carter Thomas, adjunct professor of religion; Dr. Demario Watts, director of Student Activities; and Linda Carson, assistant professor of criminology.
These events are part of a semester-long series of virtual discussions bringing together scholars, civic and campus leaders, and students for the purpose of encouraging dialogue about race and identity. The series is supported by funds from the National Endowment for the Humanities through a grant from South Carolina Humanities.
All sessions will be virtual and hosted via Crowdcast. These events are free and open to the community. To register, please visit www.lander.edu/ridialogue. Once registered, the Crowdcast platform will allow participants to add the event to their personal electronic calendars.
South Carolina Humanities
The mission of South Carolina Humanities is to enrich the cultural and intellectual lives of all South Carolinians. This not-for-profit organization presents and/or supports literary initiatives, lectures, exhibits, festivals, publications, oral history projects, videos and other humanities-based experiences that reach more than 250,000 citizens annually. South Carolina Humanities receives funding from the National Endowment for the Humanities as well as corporate, foundation and individual donors. It is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors comprised of community leaders from throughout the state.