This year’s Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Symposium at U-M features a livestreamed memorial keynote lecture by Gloria House, poet, essayist, educator, and human rights activist, and Malik Yakini, co-founder and executive director of the Detroit Black Community Food Security Network. The lecture, on Jan. 18 at 10 a.m. ET, is just one of a number of events that will occur throughout the month. In addition, the Alumni Education Gateway is providing the following free content throughout 2021 that highlights the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
VOICES OF THE ARTS
Last October, the Stamps School of Art & Design hosted “Stamps @ Home: Virtual Forum on Race, Justice, and Equity.” Alumni and students discussed the many ways race, justice, and equity play a role within their creative fields, both nationally and in education. Topics included their experiences as people of color on U-M’s campus and how they are now tackling systemic issues and building a new vision for the future.
TALKING TO KIDS ABOUT RACE
The social and political events of 2020 have refocused the lens on longstanding issues of injustice. Michigan Medicine pediatrician Alanna Nzoma explains why it’s critical for families to talk about race and racism, and weighs in on how parents can work toward being actively anti-racist starting at home.
POLLING TEEN ACTIVISM
Michigan Medicine’s C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital National Poll on Children’s Health found that one in 12 parents said their teenager had attended a protest against racial injustice. While many parents support their teen’s participation, differences exist between Black and white parents regarding their child’s involvement.
THE LIGHTBULB EFFECT
Ford School of Public Policy professor Betsey Stevenson discusses how the injustices and inequalities that have plagued the Black community, and the financial crises associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, have changed how major brands approach Black culture.
THREE A’S
In August, the U-M Center for Positive Organizations hosted representatives from a variety of institutions for the panel discussion “Antiracism, Allyship, and Authenticity: Building Internal Capacity for Institutional Change.” Panelists addressed the skills and actions that are required to dismantle systemic racism and, in turn, build equitable structures.
LEADING DIVERSE TEAMS
In this month-long online course, Ross School of Business associate professor Lindred Greer imparts evidence-based knowledge and practical tools for designing and leading diverse, equitable, and inclusive teams and organizations. Attendees better understand themselves and their personal identity in the workplace; gain new skills to identify privilege, implicit bias, and microaggressions; and learn how to take action as an active ally.
