Resetting the Table for Common Purpose Conversations

This is a three part course: August 7, 14, and 21.

**One ticket gains you access to all three lectures.

We’ve never truly reckoned with our nation’s racial history.

Socially, we remain segregated and siloed, and efforts towards truth-telling and progress are met with a forceful backlash to preserve an oppressive social order and status quo.

Yet throughout history, diverse coalitions have risen to challenge injustice and push for a more inclusive democracy. These collectives have had to navigate internal tensions while also being called to build longer bridges externally, reaching outward, across deep political and ideological divides to foster unlikely allies.

Lecture 1: Multiracial Coalitions

We will explore the history of diverse coalitions that have resisted the backlash to social progress.

Lecture 2: Dissecting Different Understandings of Truth

We will look at the different historical narratives that have been perpetuated and how we will work to bridge our disparate realities.

Lecture 3: Building Bridges of Conversation

We will practice methods of communication that help build trust, deepen understanding, and support collective action.

Dr. Devon Geary, a senior project manager in the Institute for Common Power, earned her doctorate in interpersonal and political communication from the University of Washington, where she was awarded the Excellence in Teaching Award. Throughout her career, she has been part of several initiatives focused on race and democracy, including at the Emmett Till Interpretive Center in Mississippi, the Highlander Research and Education Center in Tennessee, and Project Pilgrimage in Washington state.

Dr. Geary is committed to building diverse connections in pursuit of political equality, what Dr. Danielle Allen calls “bridging ties” that unite people across differences and lead to more egalitarian civic, health, education, and economic outcomes. In the Institute, Dr. Geary creates and expands programming like learning tours through the American South, educator initiatives, and virtual and in-person lectures and workshops. One of her sheroes is Ella Baker who inspired people to fight for a “freedom of the human spirit” that “encompasses all” of our rich humanity.

Ivory L. Kennedy Jr. is a dedicated educator, practicing historian, and advocate for comprehensive American history education. With a family history deeply rooted in the foundation of America and struggles of African Americans, Ivory brings a uniquely American perspective, with passion, to his teaching and training endeavors with discipline and pride.

Born and raised in Dayton, Ohio, Ivory's lineage carries a powerful legacy of resilience and perseverance. His 3x great-grandfather's service in the Union Army with the 100th Colored Infantry during the Civil War in Kentucky serves as a testament to the commitment to freedom and justice that runs through his family's veins. Additionally, his grandmother's upbringing in Lowndes County, Alabama, amidst the enduring legacies of slavery and sharecropping, instilled in Ivory a profound appreciation for the importance of education in overcoming systemic barriers.

Ivory's journey in education began as a middle school American history teacher, where he sparked the curiosity and investigative skills of countless 8th grade students. His commitment to providing a full and comprehensive understanding of American history, including its often-overlooked narratives and marginalized voices, set him apart as a transformative educator; allowing students to hold the nation’s past accountable while celebrating the progress that we benefit from today.

Driven by a desire to empower future generations of educators, Ivory transitioned to teaching and training preservice educators at The Ohio State University. Drawing upon his experiences as both a student and teacher, Ivory equips aspiring educators with the knowledge, skills, and empathy necessary to foster inclusive and equitable learning environments while emphasizing historical literacy.

Ivory has his associates from Sinclair Community College and earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from The Ohio State University. His academic journey has equipped him with a robust understanding of pedagogy, curriculum development, and the importance of historical literacy, which he continually integrates into his teaching and mentorship.

Currently serving as the Program Manager of Middle Childhood Education, Ivory continues to inspire and empower educators and students alike connecting history with current events. His dedication to honoring the nations complex past, teaching truth of the marginalized narratives, and shaping a more just and equitable future remains unwavering. Through his teaching, scholarship, and advocacy, Ivory L. Kennedy Jr. embodies the transformative potential of education in hopes to simply “do his part” in contributing to a more perfect union.