For 10 years, the Power of Diversity Lecture Series, sponsored by the Office for Inclusion, Diversity and Equal Opportunity, has inspired campus dialogue, community engagement and collective reflection on the narrative of national diversity and inclusion issues. One of the office’s signature programs, the series is publicly recognized on and off campus each year as more than 400 campus constituents, business and community leaders and local residents attend the lectures.
The lecture series seeks to educate and enlighten individuals on the topics of inclusion, equity and diversity and provides a platform for diverse perspectives and viewpoints. Power of Diversity hosts eight lectures annually—two by distinguished national thought leaders, four by CWRU faculty and two by members of the CWRU staff or administration. Four years ago, the series was expanded to include staff and administrators as speakers, recognizing that there are individuals on campus involved in diversity and inclusion as part of their daily jobs who have knowledge that can help educate and increase awareness about various dimensions of diversity.
This fall’s national speaker will be scholar and author Bernard Fraga, who will present “Power of the Latinx Vote” Wednesday, Oct. 21 at 4:30 p.m.
Some past national speakers include:
- Sonia Manzano, writer and actress who played “Maria” on Sesame Street;
- Beverly Daniel Tatum, a nationally recognized educator, race scholar and author of the book Why are all the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Café;
- Marc Lamont Hill, political analyst, author, professor and social justice activist; and
- Lee Mun Wah, award-winning filmmaker and diversity trainer.
“The Power of Diversity lecture series educates and provides opportunity for engagement about timely and critical diversity and inclusion issues,” said Robert Solomon, Esq., vice president for the Office for Inclusion, Diversity and Equal Opportunity. “This fall, speakers will highlight and lead discussions on voting issues, strategies to improve community relations, education partnerships and inclusive work environments.”
All lectures will be virtual and are free and open to the public.
“Power of the Latinx Vote” with scholar and author Bernard Fraga, PhD
Wednesday, Oct. 21, at 4:30 p.m.
In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, the Power of Diversity Lecture Series will host national speaker Bernard L. Fraga, political scientist and author of the awarding-winning 2018 book, The Turnout Gap: Race, Ethnicity and Political Inequality in a Diversifying America. Fraga will discuss the power of Latinx and other BIPOC (black, indigenous and people of color) voters to shape elections this November and beyond.
He is an associate professor of political science at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. Fraga studies American elections, focusing on racial/ethnic politics, voter turnout and the impact of election laws on voters and politicians. He has served as an expert consultant on multiple legal cases dealing with elections and voting rights, and regularly advises organizations dedicated to enhancing the civic and electoral engagement of Americans.
Vice President for Inclusion, Diversity and Equal Opportunity Robert L. Solomon, Esq. will moderate the discussion.
Register for Bernard. L. Fraga’s lecture.
“Burst the Bubble–Build Community: Steps for Working Together as Community with the Surrounding Neighborhoods”
Wednesday, September 30 at 3 p.m.
This event will feature Mark Chupp, co-director of the Social Justice Institute, assistant professor and chair of the Concentration Community Practice for Social Change at the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences, and Gwendolyn Garth, multimedia artist and founder and owner of Kings & Queens of Art, a local grassroots collaboration of artists.
Register for “Burst the Bubble–Build Community.”
“Cleveland, Humanities, Collaboration”
Tuesday, October 6 at 3 p.m.
This event will feature Kurt Koenigsberger, associate dean of the College of Arts & Sciences and director of the Cleveland Humanities Collaborative (CHC), Denise McCory, interim campus president of Cuyahoga Community College’s Metropolitan Campus, and alumni and current students of the CHC program.
Register for “Cleveland, Humanities, Collaboration.”
“Creating Inclusive Work Spaces–A Latinx Staff Perspective”
Tuesday, October 29 at noon
In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, the lecture series is hosting a discussion by Marel Corredor-Hyland, diversity, campus partners and HR development team leader at Kelvin Smith Library, and Mark Clemente, scholarly communication and copyright librarian at the Freedmen Center for Digital Scholarship at Kelvin Smith Library.
Register for “Creating Inclusive Work Spaces–A Latinx Staff Perspective.”