Join us for a series of panel conversations and open forums as we explore critical issues facing our university community.

Participating Scholars, Students and Leadership
Shyam Akula
Amee Azad
Online registration is now closed but you may still register at the event. Please note that seating is limited and on a first come, first serve basis.
February 5-6: Live Stream Broadcast
If you cannot attend in person, please join us for the live stream.
A Welcome from the Chancellor
Thursday, February 5, 2015
Medical School Campus—Eric P. Newman Education Center
*Please note location change. Some parking is available.
5 p.m. |
Introduction Mark Wrighton, PhD Larry Shapiro, MD |
5:10 p.m. |
Tales to Astonish: Why Race Matters and Why It Shouldn’t SPECIAL GUEST: Gerald Early, PhD |
Panel Discussion and Q & A SESSION LEADER: Victoria J. Fraser, MD Panelists Gerald Early, PhD Richard Wilson, PhD Cynthia Rogers, MD Adrienne Davis, JD Bob Hansman, BFA | |
6:30 p.m. | Reception |
Friday, February 6, 2015
Danforth Campus—Emerson Auditorium and Frick Auditorium, Knight Hall
8 a.m. | Continental Breakfast |
8:30 a.m. |
Introduction Mark Wrighton, PhD Holden Thorp |
9 to 10:30 a.m. |
The Social Construction of Race and Ethnicity SESSION LEADER: Adrienne Davis, JD Panelists Maryam Kashani, PhD Sonia Song-Ha Lee, PhD Robert Sussman, PhD Rebecca Wanzo, PhD Denise Ward-Brown, Associate Professor of Art, Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts Open Forum |
10:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. |
Race and Ethnicity in Everyday Life SESSION LEADER: Vetta Sanders Thompson, PhD Panelists Linling Gao-Miles, PhD Christian Gordon Sean Joe, PhD Juliette McClendon-Iacovino Adina Sterling, PhD Open Forum |
Brief Closing Mahendra Gupta, PhD | |
12:30-1:30 p.m. | Lunch |
2 to 3:30 p.m. |
Moving Beyond Stereotypes SESSION LEADER: Kim Norwood, JD Panelists Shyam Akula LaTanya Buck, PhD Alan Lambert, PhD Molly Metzger, PhD Carrie Pettus-Davis, PhD Open Forum |
3:45 to 5:15 p.m. |
The Future and Our University Community SESSION LEADER: Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor Holden Thorp, Rita Levi-Montalcini Distinguished University Professor Panelists Amee Azad, Undergraduate Student, Biochemistry and Anthropology; Arts & Sciences Professor Dedric Carter, Associate Provost, Associate Vice Chancellor for Innovation and Entrepreneurship and Professor of Practice; School of Engineering & Applied Science Dean Edward Lawlor, William E. Gordon Distinguished Professor; Brown School Ashley Macarander, Doctoral Student, Lynne Cooper Harvey Fellow in American Culture Studies; Arts & Sciences Professor Will Ross, Associate Dean of Diversity and Professor of Medicine; School of Medicine Rose Windmiller, Associate Vice Chancellor for Government and Community Relations Open Forum |
Closing Remarks Mark Wrighton | |
Reception and Viewing of Scribes’ Artwork | |
6:30 p.m. |
Continuing the Dialogue A Pre-Show Discussion with Black Anthology Exploring the Link Between Their Performance and Today’s Themes |
7 p.m. |
“The Six.” A Performance by Black Anthology at the Edison Theatre Tickets are available from Black Anthology. |
The Conversation Guide is available to download.