2022 Summer Race, Reflection and Discussion Series begins

The Center for Race, Ethnicity and Diversity Education (CREDE) presents the 2022 edition of its annual Race, Reflection and Discussion Series for faculty and staff to continue authentic conversation about racial inequities every Wednesday this month.

This year’s theme is Reconciling With Our Present by Exploring Our Past. The four-session series occurs on June 8, 15, 22 and 29 at 11:30 a.m. CREDE offers this personal and professional development opportunity in partnership with the Division of Inclusive Excellence, Education and Development, Committee on Elon History and Memory and the Office of Leadership and Professional Development.

The series follows many instances of gun violence in the national news, including the mass shooting in Buffalo, NY where 10 people were killed in a supermarket located in a predominantly Black community by a white gunman. The series creates space for colleagues to “thoroughly engage with the Fall 2020 History and Memory Report to understand our institutional history and continue honest dialogue about the contemporary issues dealing with racial inequity at local, regional, and national levels.”

Since the June 2015 fatal shootings of nine black people by a white man at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina, the CREDE staff has facilitated faculty and staff discussions on race and racism in our communities.

Exploring Black Achievement and Anti-Black Racism in Elon’s History

Wednesday, June 8
11:30 – 1:00pm
Hybrid: McKinnon Hall/Zoom
Click here to register to attend in person

Click here to register to attend via Zoom

The Committee on Elon History and Memory submitted a report in October 2020 outlining themes of Black achievement and anti-Black racism in Elon’s history.  At Elon, as elsewhere, part of the challenge has been disseminating that material and encouraging members of the campus community to act on it in ways that build a more equitable present.  In this session, we will reintroduce the concept of history and memory work, highlight the report, and—most importantly—engage new web-based resources based on the report for teaching about anti-Black racism from Elon’s history. Facilitated by Damion Blake, associate professor of political science and policy studies and CREDE faculty fellow and Charles Irons, William J. Story Sr. Professor and professor of history.

Exploring Elon’s Complicated History in our Current Campus Landscape (A Walking Tour)

Wednesday, June 15

10:30am – Noon – UPDATED TIME

El Centro in the Carlton Building – 114

Click here to register

Institutions inscribe their history in the built environment through the way they design and name buildings, create commemorative spaces and plaques, and commission and display artwork.  Campus spaces thus “speak” to faculty, staff, students, and visitors, though we do not always take time to listen to their words.  Join us for a walking tour of Elon’s central campus from a diversity, equity, and inclusion framework, followed by the opportunity to debrief and cool down with water and lemonade. Facilitated by Evan Gatti, associate professor of art history and 2021-2022 chair of the Committee on Elon history and memory, Chrystal Carpenter, coordinator of university archives and special collections and associate librarian, and Charles Irons.

Reflecting on our Past to Dialogue about Present Racial Inequities

Wednesday, June 22
11:30 – 1:00pm
McKinnon Hall
Click here to register

Some of the goals of the History and Memory Report are to engage our community in important conversations about our shared past while also creating opportunities to capture the unheard stories and experiences of racially marginalized communities on campus. In this session, we will engage in reflective dialogues about how Elon’s complex and dynamic history affects current interactions and experiences related to race and racial inequity. Facilitated by Carla Fullwood, director of inclusive excellence, education and development, and Sylvia Muñoz, assistant dean of students and director of the CREDE.

Racial Reconciliation and Healing: a Dialogue about Action and Next Steps

Wednesday, June 29
11:30 – 1:00pm
McKinnon Hall
Click here to register

Learning about the history of racism, raising personal race-consciousness, and understanding racism in relationships are just a few components of racial healing. In this session, we will engage in dialogue about needs and action steps to engage in collective racial healing and learning to fully embrace Elon’s vision for Inclusive Excellence. Facilitated by Carla Fullwood and Sylvia Muñoz.

Lunch will be provided for each session. Register to indicate any dietary needs or restrictions. If you have questions or issues with registering, email Kelli Russell at krussell11@elon.edu.

If you have any questions about the Summer 2022 Race, Reflection, and Discussion Series, email Carla Fullwood at cfullwood@elon.edu, or Sylvia Muñoz at munozs@elon.edu)