All times are in Mountain Standard Time (MST), Phoenix
Granville Carroll (b. 1992) is an educator and Afrofuturist photographer currently based in Rochester, NY. Carroll received a BFA in photography from Arizona State University and a MFA in photography and related media from Rochester Institute of Technology. His work explores the relationship between the external material world and the imaginative, and vulnerable inner space of the mind. He explores this curiosity through the intersection of art, spirituality, science, and philosophy. The use of digital technology, such as Photoshop, allows him to act as an architect of time, space, energy and matter, becoming a co-creator in the physical realm.
Carroll’s work has been exhibited in the USA and featured on multiple online platforms and publications. (www.granvillecarroll.com/)
This is the story of a preacher's kid finding his own way through life in the public eye.
Greg Moore, Arizona Republic opinion journalist, is a Black thought leader who gets radically honest about topics other people won’t touch. He’s been writing about race, culture, sports and politics for 15 years, including a four-year, award-winning stretch for the Republic. Moore was recently appointed to the organization’s editorial board, making him one of a small number of African Americans in the nation to hold such a position. He’s been deemed one of the best writers in the nation by the oldest, largest and most influential organization in American sports journalism. He was an essential member of an Emmy-winning documentary team. And he set the record straight on the first person killed in the Korean War. He’s also an accomplished trash talker, a reformed class clown who reigned undefeated on the back of the bus and in cafeterias all over the Detroit area.
Dr. Johnson is a native of Belle Glade, Florida--a small town affectionately known by many as “the muck.” The muck refers to the dark soil that is so rich in minerals that a farmer could plant any crop to later spring up in weeks--and sugarcane is the main crop of plenty. More importantly, Belle Glade is a small town of approximately 20,000 with much of the population of African-American or LatinX descent, where the median income of an individual is $16,000 and household is $25,000. Johnson’s story is one of loss, abandonment, and healing. He recounts the death of his mother (the matriarch) as the pivotal moment in his life that awakened in him a sense of urgency to one day serve others; that reality is upended by a series of misfortunes. However, Johnson overcomes his struggles and disappointments by clinging to his faith, music, and therapy, which ultimately makes him whole.
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Dr. Johnson is a native of Belle Glade, Florida--a small town affectionately known by many as “the muck.” The muck refers to the dark soil that is so rich in minerals that a farmer could plant any crop to later spring up in weeks--and sugarcane is the main crop of plenty. More importantly, Belle Glade is a small town of approximately 20,000 with much of the population of African-American or LatinX descent, where the median income of an individual is $16,000 and household is $25,000. Johnson’s story is one of loss, abandonment, and healing. He recounts the death of his mother (the matriarch) as the pivotal moment in his life that awakened in him a sense of urgency to one day serve others; that reality is upended by a series of misfortunes. However, Johnson overcomes his struggles and disappointments by clinging to his faith, music, and therapy, which ultimately makes him whole.
To be determined
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Matthew C. Whitaker, Ph.D. is an award-winning educator, author, DEI and community engagement specialist, motivational speaker, and founder of the Arizona State University Center for the Study of Race and Democracy, winner of the 2014 Arizona Diversity Leadership Alliance (DLA) Inclusive Workplace Award, where he was a professor of history for 15 years. He co-founded the Healing Racism Dialogue Series, winner of the 2008 National League of Cities Inclusive Award, and was given DLA’s 2016 Diversity and Inclusion Leader Award. His books include Hurricane Katrina: America’s Unnatural Disaster, and Race Work: The Rise of Civil Rights in the Urban West. His forthcoming memoir is The Undisputed Truth: A Revolutionary Journey to Black Manhood.
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America often views racism as an individual act. Colorblind people often envision racism as people/groups who spew hyper-aggression speech coupled with some physical insignia showing what hate group they belong to as they are physical and verbally abusive towards people-of-color. I submit, through an autoethnographic narrative, that racism in America is omnipresent in different environments throughout minoritized people's lifespan that often influence their behaviors to varying degrees. Racism permeates the microsystem, the mesosystem, the exosystem, the macrosystem, and the chronosystem (Urie Bronfenbrenner, 1979).
Anthony Glover, simply known in his community as “Brotha Anthony,” is a Phoenix, AZ native. He has made his presence felt in his community over the last several years through spoken word poetry, event hosting, various community empowerment projects and his mentorship of young men with the Phoenix organization “Fight For Life, No Excuses.” Brotha Anthony is also the founder of Useful Hands PHX, which provides life skills training for teenage boys in multiple subjects such as: auto care, charcoal grilling, fishing and wood working.
He recently released a children’s book title “I Can’t Wait To Be A Man” designed to encourage boys to practice certain behaviors and lessons they can carry on their journey towards Manhood.
As a clinical psychologist, entrepreneur, author, transformational speaker, actor and visionary, Dr. Angela Kenzslowe has been empowering others to live their best life for more than 20 years. She is an Army veteran and currently focuses on treating active duty military members. Throughout her professional career she has helped others heal from psychological trauma, taught business courses at the collegiate level, been featured in TV and Film, and launched several entrepreneurial ventures.
Ahmad Daniels joined the Marine Corps at the age of 17. He loved boot camp and the challenging training. It was after training when he was in the South that he experienced racism/white supremacy when, on a Sunday morning, he walked into what he did not know was an all-white church and was told to leave. I should add that I was in uniform. That encounter placed me on a trajectory that months later would find me sentenced by the Marine Corps to 10 years in jail. The rest is history.
All times are in Mountain Standard Time (MST), Phoenix
Smiles are one of the few joys we have and can share that are free! However, a smile does not mean that life is perfect. We each navigate a set of circumstances and persons in our lives. Sometimes we are given joy and happiness and other times, heartache, despair, isolation, and other non-elative feelings. It is up to us whether those persons and/or experiences are allowed the power to define our happiness and joy. Each person and/or circumstance we navigate provides a lesson, if you are open to finding and integrating it into your life. We are not our pasts, but they help to create the awesomeness we display today. So, they should not be erased, but embraced. For those that have hurt you, forgiveness is for you, but no apologies are necessary!
Rufus Glasper is President and CEO of the League for Innovation in the Community College, an international nonprofit organization with a mission to cultivate innovation in the community college environment and to make a positive difference for students and communities. Dr. Glasper, Chancellor Emeritus of the Maricopa Community Colleges, served as Chancellor from 2003 through February 2016, and held district leadership positions for three decades.
Dr. Glasper earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Luther College, a master’s and advanced degrees in school business administration from Northern Illinois University and received his doctorate of philosophy degree in higher education finance from the University of Arizona.
THIS IS NOT A BOOK SESSION
Meeting Link: https://maricopa.webex.com/maricopa/j.php?MTID=m86f61b0827949c73de88e58246b9c08d
Join by phone: +1-602-666-0783 United States Toll (Phoenix)
Access code: 187 020 0578
Keith Johnson - Teaching Artist Extraordinaire, Craftsman of Tradition, Master Drummer, Dancer, Storyteller, Visual Artist and Educator. I began my dream in the Washington D.C. Metropolitan area seeing cultures from around the world. When they had Folklife Festivals at the Smithsonian Institution, the worlds largest museum. I witnessed first hand how we are more alike than we are different.
My journey has taken me to many areas of the world.
Indigenous cultures use what is around them to create beautiful artifacts. The same cocoons found in South Africa are also found among the Yaqui tribe in Guadalupe Arizona for their Deer Dance. Many of their rituals utilizing the calabash floating are also used in Africa by the people of Accra, Ghana. Through my research I found one in Trinidad the Pan.
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It’s not where you’re from, It’s where you’re at! Be open to where God leads you.
Tina was born and raised in Compton, California. Despite stereotypes, assumptions, and judgements, Tina was raised by a strong single parent who with a supportive family/village assisted her to become the resilient woman she is today. Tina received a BA in Psychology and her MSW. She has worked with children and families for over 25 years. She enjoys Yoga and Mindfulness and incorporates the principles in her practice.
As she transitions to a new phase in life, she continues to be committed to being a present parent and a dedicated social worker providing services in schools, social services agencies, and hospice.
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Jeri Williams has served as Police Chief of the Phoenix Police Department since October 2016. She leads the largest police agency in the State of Arizona and oversees a staff of nearly 4,000 employees while managing an annual operating budget that exceeds $700 million.
She is a 32-years law enforcement veteran who has also served as Police Chief in the City of Oxnard, California.
Chief Williams is a native Phoenician, wife, and mom to Alan and Cody. She grew up on the west side of Phoenix where she attended Maryvale High School and is a proud alum of Arizona State University.
It’s not where you’re from, It’s where you’re at! Be open to where God leads you.
Tina was born and raised in Compton, California. Despite stereotypes, assumptions, and judgements, Tina was raised by a strong single parent who with a supportive family/village assisted her to become the resilient woman she is today. Tina received a BA in Psychology and her MSW. She has worked with children and families for over 25 years. She enjoys Yoga and Mindfulness and incorporates the principles in her practice.
As she transitions to a new phase in life, she continues to be committed to being a present parent and a dedicated social worker providing services in schools, social services agencies, and hospice.
Duplicate sessions, pick one:
Grammy-nominated, multi-platinum, producer, artist, DJ Green Lantern will take you on a musical journey in celebration of CGCC BSU's Black History Month Living Library.
DJ Green Lantern is widely known for making groundbreaking mixed tapes featuring artists such as Tupac and The Beastie Boys. He has produced multi-platinum singles for various recording artists like Busta Rhymes and Ludacris. DJ Green Lantern has also been the official concert touring DJ for M&M, Jay-Z, Nas, and Snoop Dogg.
Take a break, sit back and enjoy the musical artistry of DJ Green Lantern live from his Twitch Channel.
THIS IS NOT A BOOK SESSION - you may join the session using the WebEx meeting link, or the Twitch link provided in the link below
Corey Woods was elected mayor of the City of Tempe in March 2020. In his professional career, he is the chief of staff at ASU Preparatory Academy. Woods served as a Councilmember for the City of Tempe from July 2008 – July 2016. He was elected to the Tempe City Council in May 2008 and reelected in March 2012. Woods was instrumental in guiding city policy that led to Tempe's perfect score in the Human Rights Campaign’s “Municipal Equality Index.” He championed initiatives in the areas of affordable housing and human services while working tirelessly to improve community development standards to attract business investment and protect neighborhoods.
I graduated from UCSD with a degree in Bioinformatics in 2018 and now currently work at the La Jolla Institute for Immunology as a researcher. We focus on infectious diseases and the body's response to infection including COVID-19, Dengue, Tuberculosis, and more. I am a big advocate of raising awareness about the safety and efficacy of vaccines and how they can help eradicate diseases and save lives.
It’s so aggravating being one of a few. I worked so hard to be here and I still don’t feel like I belong here. I graduated from one of the best schools in the world. Yet I still don’t feel like I deserve a seat at the table. Imposter Syndrome is truly challenging to overcome.
THIS IS NOT A BOOK SESSION - If possible, please watch the Tyler Perry video: (https://youtu.be/M56q6TIJ890) before attending. Thank you.
Meeting Link: https://maricopa.webex.com/maricopa/j.php?MTID=m86f61b0827949c73de88e58246b9c08d
Join by phone: +1-602-666-0783 United States Toll (Phoenix)
Access code: 187 020 0578
All times are in Mountain Standard Time (MST), Phoenix
Dr. Michelle Traveler completed five college degrees as a single-parent and believes that passion, purpose, and perseverance are the keys to success! Dr.Traveler is the first Black woman to serve as a full-time Computer Information Systems (CIS) faculty member at Mesa Community College. She has worked for the Maricopa Community Colleges for 27 years. Dr. Traveler is an advocate for STEM programs and has been recognized in 2021 by Apple, Inc. for her work with diverse populations on mobile apps: https://www.apple.com/education/higher-education/app-development/.
She holds a BS in Justice Studies from Arizona State University, an M.B.A. with an emphasis in Information Systems Management from Keller Graduate School of Management, and a PhD in Information Technology from Capella University.
Single. Black. Female. These words describe my marital status, race and gender, and though innocent, are often associated with narrow and discriminatory stereotypes that do not define me. As a mother and divorcee, living in Arizona presented a unique set of challenges that might have stolen my peace of mind or derailed my career if I didn’t adjust. Ultimately, being unapologetically single, black and female emboldened and empowered me to pursue my dream job.
Today, I serve all local students and families - regardless of the words that might be used to describe you - fulfilling my purpose and passion as the first Associate Superintendent of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion at the Arizona Department of Education.
Dr. William H. Crawford III is employed as an adjunct professor with Northern Arizona University, where he teaches Justice Studies. Dr. Crawford retired from the Maricopa County Community College District (MCCCD) in 2017 after a 24 year distinguished career – most recently as a Vice President at Chandler-Gilbert Community College.
Prior to MCCCD, Dr. Crawford was employed by the Phoenix Police Department where he held numerous leadership positions and served with distinction for over 23 years as a career officer and 10 years in a volunteer reserve capacity.
William Crawford holds both Doctorate and Master of Education degrees from Northern Arizona University and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Justice Studies from Arizona State University.
Matthew C. Whitaker, Ph.D. is an award-winning educator, author, DEI and community engagement specialist, motivational speaker, and founder of the Arizona State University Center for the Study of Race and Democracy, winner of the 2014 Arizona Diversity Leadership Alliance (DLA) Inclusive Workplace Award, where he was a professor of history for 15 years. He co-founded the Healing Racism Dialogue Series, winner of the 2008 National League of Cities Inclusive Award, and was given DLA’s 2016 Diversity and Inclusion Leader Award. His books include Hurricane Katrina: America’s Unnatural Disaster, and Race Work: The Rise of Civil Rights in the Urban West. His forthcoming memoir is The Undisputed Truth: A Revolutionary Journey to Black Manhood.
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Jeary Payne is an artist and educator. He received a bachelor’s focusing on music and business from ASU. A native of Arizona, prior to moving to New York to peruse a career in music spent 3 years as a Program Advisor at Mesa Community College where he helped to manage various aspects of Student Life and Leadership related programming. Upon relocating to New York in the spring of 2015 he become active in the city’s art scene. First as a performing artist and eventually as a Teaching Artist, Teen Mentor and Program Manager for Urban Art Beat, a non-profit organization that increases youth literacy and leadership skills through creative collaboration in the arts. Infusing elements of Hip-Hop and social justice into his classroom curriculum, a capacity he served in until 2018.
Keith Johnson - Teaching Artist Extraordinaire, Craftsman of Tradition, Master Drummer, Dancer, Storyteller, Visual Artist and Educator. I began my dream in the Washington D.C. Metropolitan area seeing cultures from around the world. When they had Folklife Festivals at the Smithsonian Institution, the worlds largest museum. I witnessed first hand how we are more alike than we are different.
My journey has taken me to many areas of the world.
Indigenous cultures use what is around them to create beautiful artifacts. The same cocoons found in South Africa are also found among the Yaqui tribe in Guadalupe Arizona for their Deer Dance. Many of their rituals utilizing the calabash floating are also used in Africa by the people of Accra, Ghana. Through my research I found one in Trinidad the Pan.
Duplicate sessions, attend one:
The Hardins are proud to be educators who believe: "...to whom much is given, much is required"; they work every day to personify the quote by Marian Wright Edleman: “Service is the rent we pay for being. It is the very purpose of life, and not something you do in your spare time.”