RETHINKING RACE: A Look Back at 2023
February 27, 2023
You Must Learn: A Discussion with Krayzie Bone About the Evolution of Diversity in Hip-Hop Culture
Join Grammy Awards-winner, Anthony “Krayzie Bone” Henderson, of Cleveland’s internationally iconic rap group Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, and Spread the Love Foundation, for a conversation about rap and hip hop being the most diverse genre in popular music today.
February 27, 2023
Keynote: A Moderated Discussion with Michelle Alexander
Rethinking Race and the Criminal Justice System welcomes keynote: Michelle Alexander, internationally known teacher, lecturer, scholar, and author of the critically acclaimed book The New Jim Crow. Ms. Alexander will participate in a moderated discussion.
February 28, 2023
Rethinking Grand Juries: A Tale of Two Systems in Officer-Involved Shootings
A discussion led by Associate Dean Michael Gentithes of the grand jury process in America, with a highlight on how that process often differs in cases of officer-involved shootings.
February 28, 2023
Film screening: Punch 9 for Harold Washington and Q&A with Joe Winston
Harold Washington takes on a city rife with corruption and discrimination to be elected Chicago’s first African-American mayor in 1983. Chicago filmmaker Joe Winston will be on hand to introduce the film and answer questions.
February 28, 2023
Panel on Student Perspective on Diversity at the University of Akron in and out of the classroom
A panel of student diversity representatives will lead a discussion on their experiences in and around the topic of diversity with an audience of faculty and administrators.
March 1, 2023
Race and Wrongful Conviction: The Case of Zip Michael Sutton
This event features Michael Sutton, the newest freed client of the Ohio Innocence Project, who was acquitted in September 2022 after serving 15 years in prison for an attempted murder he did not commit. It is hosted by the UA student organization chapter of the Ohio Innocence Project, co-sponsored by Criminal Justice Association and Sociology Club.
March 1, 2023
Film Screening: Black Men in White Coats
The documentary Black Men in White Coats will be shown, followed by a discussion led by UA and Summa Health leaders. The focus will be disparities in medical professions leading to systemic health problems in minority populations. Sponsored by Summa Health and The College of Health and Human Sciences
March 2 & 3, 2023
Three Countries, One Mother
Using storytelling, poetry, movement, and song, Three Countries, One Mother examines the history and culture of the Bhutanese-Nepali-American people who were displaced from their homeland as part of the Bhutanese Refugee Crisis in the 1990s and early 2000s.
March 6, 2023
Beyond #StopAsianHate: A Multi-perspective Discussion on Understanding and Preventing Racism against Asians
Panelists will discuss anti-Asian racism and violence from psychological and legal perspectives, as well as Korean Americans’ reaction toward law enforcement from a sociological perspective. Asian Services in Action (ASIA) will provide a perspective from the community angle from their experience working directly with Asian immigrants. This event is sponsored by the Center of Conflict Management.
March 6, 2023
Building Community for QTPOC
This event would bring together a panel of leaders within the Akron LGBTQ+ community to speak to priorities for advocacy for QTPOC, strategies for community building, and opportunities for allyship. Panelists will include speakers from various community organizations serving LGBTQ+ residents of Northeast Ohio. Cosponsored by UA’s Office of Multicultural Development and LGBTQIA+ Student Organizations, PFLAG, and the Gay Community Endowment Fund.
March 6, 2023
Guided Conversation: Colorism
Join student leaders in a conversation on colorism and how it impacts communities and cultures. There will be light refreshments along with an open-forum style conversation about various topics concerning colorism.
March 6, 2023
Creating community and fostering dialogue through the Unify America Project: Lessons Learned
Panelists will discuss the implementation and impact of a community building exercise (Unify America’s “Unify Challenge”) conducted in an online environment with University of Akron students. The Unify America Challenge is an online video conversation between two people from different US regions who may vote differently or have significant differences across race or age. Together, the pair with differing backgrounds take a survey to discuss goals across a range of issues including criminal justice topics.
March 7, 2023
Lee McBride Presents “W.E.B. Du Bois on Democracy and (In)justice.”
This talk will engage the philosophical thought of W.E.B. Du Bois, discussing ideal notions of beauty and democracy as well as the oppression and injustices that developed in concert with Anglo-European colonialism and modern industrialism. The event is sponsored by the Department of Philosophy.
March 8, 2023
Film Screening & Workshop: OneLove’s MVP
This workshop looks at the challenges of navigating an unhealthy relationship. In the film, Miles tries to balance his basketball life with the possessive demands of his girlfriend, Jess. His friend, Dylan, repeatedly tries to help Miles talk about what’s going on.
March 8, 2023
7:17 Spoken Word Artist Ashlee Haze
Would you like to see Spoken Word Artist Ashlee Haze recite poetry during Rethinking Race Week? If the answer is yes, attend the RHPB, RHC, and Sigma Lambda sponsored event on March 8th at 7:17pm in the Student Union Starbucks. The first 100 students will get free coffee or tea the night of the show! Admission is also free for all UA students.
March 9, 2023
Creating Legacies: Black and Transmasc in Ohio
This student led conversation is integrated as class project of the Sociology of Sex, Gender and Sexuality class (Department of Sociology). It features award-winning educator, activist, community organizer and artist LuSter P. Singleton from Columbus, OH. LuSter P. Singleton is one of the 2022 National Trans Visibility March TORCH Award for Leadership in Community. He was also a featured speaker at the march itself. LuSter is the program manager for MOZAIC, Ohio’s first standalone transgender and gender non-conforming testing site and community center. Mozaic now, operates as an ‘inside out community center and is one of the cornerstones of Equitas Health’s Gender Affirming Care Department.
March 9, 2023
It’s a Community Thang!
Most of the time inspiration is acquired from outside sources. During this discussion, we’ll examine how to empower yourself through your talents and community resources, while influencing and inspiring others. Professor Theron Brown will perform piano, discuss his background in music, and how he uses his talents to help community.
March 9, 2023
Stations of Black Loss by Alexandra Barbier
“Choreographer Alexandra Barbier will share a solo titled I’ll Never Be Beyoncé. This is an excerpt of Stations of Black Loss, a 14-part, autobiographical, interdisciplinary body of work-in-progress that chronicles Alexandra’s journey of learning to love and embrace Black Identity."
Thank You to Our 2023 Sponsors
