Enlightenment Series 2022-2023

Join us for courageous conversations designed to foster a culture of inclusive excellence at The University of South Florida. The scheduled workshops will focus on intersectional perspectives related to bias, cultural competence, and systemic inequities with an emphasis on current trends facing Black communities across the African Diaspora. Our goal is to create a space to reflect on the concrete ways that USF faculty and staff can embrace diversity, advance racial equity, and facilitate an inclusive environment where faculty, students, and staff can flourish. This collaborative virtual space is designed for both USF faculty and staff who would like to share their experiences and learn strategies that will promote inclusive excellence.

Schedule of Topics and Facilitators

September 20, 2022 - Freedom of Speech vs Academic Freedom: The Cost of Self-Expression

Kyaien Conner, Gerrard Solis,

October 18, 2022 - Equitable Workload and Expectations

Ruth Bahr, Jean Kabongo

November 15, 2022 - Power and Privilege in Higher Education

Clara Buie, Nicole Luckett

December 6, 2022 - Looking through the Mirror and Window to Evaluate Effectiveness

Kevin Jones, Ruthmae Sears

January 17, 2023- Model Minority Myth

Walter Jennings, Kevin Lee, Carlos Moreira

February 21, 2023 - Conceptualization, Commercialization, and Commodification of Ethnicity and Race

Kelly Cowart, Elizabeth Hordge-Freeman

March 21, 2023 - Embracing Culture in a Virtual Environment

Denise Davis-Cotton, Marie Byrd, Ashley Reese, Fanni Green

April 18, 2023 - Being your Authentic Self: The Space between Discomfort and Belonging

DeWayne Anderson, Jacob Diaz, DeWayne Anderson, Antonia Robinson