RETHINKING RACE: A Look Back at 2024
November 18, 2024
Healthcare Disparities Among Underrepresented Populations Panel
This panel will address Healthcare Disparities among underrepresented populations, featuring insights from students, faculty, health professionals, and community members. The discussion will examine the barriers that contribute to unequal access to healthcare, the impact of systemic inequities on health outcomes, and strategies to promote more inclusive and equitable care. The aim is to foster an open dialogue that encourages collaboration and concrete action to reduce disparities and improve health outcomes for marginalized groups.
November 18, 2024
Race, Sex, and Gender in Appalachia: Two Hillbillies and a Queered Conversation
Join Julia Applegate and LuSter P. Singleton in this student-led event for an audience-driven conversation about growing up in the ‘hills and hollows’ of southern and southeastern Ohio while trying to sort out questions about sexuality, sexual identity, and gender. These topics are further complicated by race, class, and higher education. Their candor and willingness to be vulnerable while sharing their truths is a unique opportunity to gain insight into Appalachian Ohio, a community rarely valued for its insight, commentary, or contributions.
November 18, 2024
Keynote: Montel Williams presents "From Disparity to Parity: Combating Racial Inequities in Healthcare.”
Media personality, healthcare advocate, and entrepreneur Montel Williams will open The University of Akron’s Rethinking Race: Black, Brown, and Beyond forum with a keynote address. In his address, Williams will delve into the complex challenge of healthcare disparities, focusing on racial inequities that pervade the medical system. Through a deeply informative presentation attendees will gain a comprehensive understanding of the systemic issues contributing to unequal treatment and outcomes. Williams will explore innovative solutions and proactive measures aimed at fostering change, such as implementing discrete reporting mechanisms, reevaluating institutional policies, and enriching educational curricula.
November 19, 2024
Rethinking Race Health Expo
Join us on Tuesday, Nov. 19th for the Rethinking Race Health Expo happening from 11AM - 2PM on the JHTSU 2nd Floor. Various health related community partners will be tabling with resources, services offered and giveaways. The local Akron area has many services that help with health care, dental care, mental health, emotional support, food insecurity, optometry, housing and so much more. First 150 people to attend get a free health care emergency kit stocked with 20 different items!
November 19, 2024
At Your Cervix - Documentary and panel discussion about consent, race, and obstetric practice in the U.S.
“At Your Cervix,” is a groundbreaking documentary that breaks the silence about how medical and nursing students learn to perform pelvic exams in the U.S. The film exposes how students are often taught on unconscious patients without their knowledge or consent. It sheds light on racial dynamics in the history of the field of obstetrics. At the same time, it offers an empowering solution as it chronicles the work of the women’s health activists who work to revolutionize how pelvic exams are performed in schools and clinics across the country.
After the documentary, interdisciplinary panelists will share perspectives from their fields and be ready to answer questions and reflect the film with the audience. Panelists include:
- Dr. Sarah Rubin (Department of Social Medicine at Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine, Ohio University)
- Dr. Debra Hornig (School of Nursing, The University of Akron)
- Tara Mosely Samples (former Councilwoman and mayoral candidate, community advocate)
November 19, 2024
Culturally Competent, Trauma Informed Care
This workshop will explore how Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) have been severely impacted by historic and systemic racism and racial trauma, and the pervasive mental health and substance abuse challenges that exist as a result of that trauma. Practitioners will be able to begin to view trauma through a cultural lens and understand the factors that they should consider in their service of those in the BIPOC community.
November 19, 2024
Building Wellness: Advancing Health Equity through Financial Education
Participants will be given the opportunity to participate in a sharing circle, termed a “Council”. The craft council allows individuals the freedom to listen, share, and discuss experiences, insights, and stories. The council is designed to help members express their individual feelings, emotions, and concerns on a certain topic that at times can be difficult to discuss (Halifax 2010). Some form of council is found in many cultures and traditions worldwide (i.e. Homer’s Iliad, Quakers, Cheyenne, etc.) and centers on the three tenets of Zen Peace Maker Order- not knowing, bearing witness, and healing.
November 20, 2024
Art and Wellbeing in Communities of Color: Discussion and Art Experience
How can art help to improve mental health and wellbeing, particularly in communities of color? Join visual artist J. Travis and art therapist Stacy Blecher for a free conversation on artistry and mental health.
Travis will discuss her experiences developing Assuage HER, a local program that provides free tailored art classes to support women experiencing anxiety and stress, with a focus on Black women and women of color. Blecher will then discuss the formal profession of art therapy and how art can be utilized in a structured therapeutic environment. Following this discussion, J. Travis will lead attendees through a guided, hands-on art experience.
November 20, 2024
Race and Parents’ Mental Health Outcomes
Join us for an interactive presentation exploring how parenting, race, and mental health intersect. Designed with student parents in mind, this session will illuminate the impact of systemic racism and socioeconomic disparities on mental health. Discover practical strategies and solutions to navigate these challenges, connect with peers, and explore ways to address parenting challenges and systemic inequalities through legislation. Be part of this important conversation and help drive meaningful change!
November 20, 2024
“Say It Loud”
“Say It Loud” is a powerful social justice play that amplifies the voices and stories of Akron’s diverse communities. Through raw, honest monologues, the production explores themes of identity, struggle, and resilience, offering a compelling reflection of the city’s heart and soul.
In June 2020, the tragic death of George Floyd and others, sparked protests in Akron and all over the country. In response to all they were seeing and hearing around them, local theater artists Francine Parr and Maya Nicholson decided to create a work reflective of the community in which they lived. Produced by the Akron Civic Theatre’s Millennial Theatre Project, Say It Loud Akron is a multi-disciplinary, multi-platform vehicle that shares community voices around the issue of systemic racism. Say It Loud performances consist of a series of monologues scripted directly from interviews and surveys, offering authentic representations of the feelings, frustrations, and fears of community members. The script is “fluid” with new stories written for each performance based on town halls hosted for the venues. Funding for Say It Loud is provided by Akron Community Foundations, Akron Civic Commons and the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.
November 21, 2024
Feeding Futures: Bridging the Gap in Food Access
Hungry for change? Join us for a delicious and educational discussion that’s packed with flavor, fun, and tips on eating healthy on a budget. Learn to whip up tasty, nutritious meals that won’t break the bank, as well as how to access local and state resources!” Sponsored by Undergraduate Student Government
November 21, 2024
The Institutional Discriminatory Policies That Affect The African Americans and Their Hair From A Cultural and Mental Health Perspective
This event will include a PowerPoint presentation with a discussion about the discrimination of African American hair. We will take a short look at institutional discrimination against African Americans’ hair.
November 21, 2024
Black Men in White Coats Documentary & Panel Discussion
Only 2% of doctors in the U.S. are black men, and black men have the lowest life expectancy in the country. Underrepresentation is an issue in all areas of health care, so this documentary will dissect the systemic barriers preventing black men from becoming medical doctors and the consequences for all of us, while underrepresented UA students/alum in allied health fields will share their experiences in the panel presentation that follows.
What if healthcare providers represented the population? What effect would this have on health disparities? The College of Health & Human Sciences (CHHS) and its Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee will present the powerful documentary, Black Men in White Coats, followed by a panel discussion of underrepresented CHHS students and alumni. Time for audience Q & A will also be included.
November 22, 2024
Everyday Life: Through the Lens of Color
Join us for a collection of works from artists who offer a unique perspective into their art practice. The intentional and captivating use of vibrant colors, expressive movements, and abstract forms capture moments of time and space, engaging the viewer and inviting you into their world. Life, often perceived as mundane, is beautifully and powerfully transformed in this collection. A comprehensive vision that will not just intrigue, but inspire you to live life in color. Participating Artists: Keith Wisdom, DeAnn Smith, Jeff Willis, and Jessica Skinner. Curator: Akron Black Artist Guild (ABAG)
November 22, 2024
Cartoons: A Reflection of Society During the Golden Age (1928-1968)
As animated cartoons became more popular, they also reflected the racial prejudice that was present in the US during the Golden Age. In this face-to-face event, we’ll look at some of the more blatant racially motivated stereotypes that were presented in cartoons of the era.
As the quality of cartoons improved with the addition of color and sound synchronization, the media gained popularity and soon became a staple of a trip to the movies for most Americans. As such, cartoons reflected social stereotypes of the time to generate laughs, including exploiting racial stereotypes, and in the process, reinforcing those stereotypes and prejudices. In this face-to-face event, we’ll take a look at several cartoons that mirrored the social norms of the time and what they may have been doing to perpetuate the racial prejudices.
November 22, 2024
Darwin and Freud: On Monogenism
Dr. Eduardo Mendieta (Penn State University) will deliver a philosophical talk with Q&A afterwards.