Join Chatham’s Week of Action for Racial Justice
Racism and police brutality against Black and Indigenous People of Color is at the forefront of many minds navigating race in our nation. In a time with a rising need for justice, healing, and conversation, Chatham University is committed to creating an informed and engaged community. As a response to our ongoing mission and advocacy for change, join the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, the Diversity and Inclusion Council, and Black Student Union for a Week of Action for Racial Justice. Learn more about the events below—
Diversity Dialogues
Dear Chatham: Black Student, Faculty, and Staff Experiences with Anti-Black Racism
Tuesday, September 8, 11:30 am - 12:30 pm
Zoom
Chatham community members participating in a previous diversity dialogue
Dean’s Hour: Black Lives Matter
Wednesday, September 9, 4:00 - 5:00 pm
Chatham Quad
Join Dean Heather Black and the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in support of Black Lives Matter (BLM). A limited number of BLM t-shirts and BLM lawn signs are available for distribution. Due to COVID-19 precautions, this event is only open to members of the Chatham community. Please wear a mask.
Dress for Your Day! BLM Edition
Wednesday, September 9
Wear your BLM shirt—wear one you already own or come pick one up from Dean’s Hour.
The Fight for Racial Justice Continues: A Conversation with Damon Young
Thursday, September 10, 11:30 am - 1:00 pm
Zoom Webinar
Join the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, the Diversity and Inclusion Council, and the Black Student Union in a conversation around the fight for racial justice with author, Damon Young.
A Pittsburgh native, Damon Young is a writer, critic, humorist, and satirist. His debut memoir—What Doesn’t Kill You Makes You Blacker: A Memoir in Essays (Ecco/HarperCollins)—is a tragicomic exploration of the angsts, anxieties, and absurdities of existing while Black in America, and won Barnes & Noble’s 2019 Discover Award. It was also long-listed for the PEN America Diamonstein-Spielvogel Award, nominated for both an NAACP Image Award and a Hurston/Wright Legacy Award, and is a Krause Essay Prize nominee. NPR, which named it one of 2019’s best books, called it an “outstanding collection of nonfiction.”
Creating Restoration After Grief: Yoga with Skukura Woods
Friday, September 11, 5:30 - 7:00 pm
Zoom
As we view the exploitation of Black death in the media, it can raise a variety of emotions, including anger, grief, sadness, hopelessness, confusion, a loss of a sense of safety, and so much more. It is imperative that we collectively find ways to constructively express and release difficult feelings and restore our spirits to ones of clarity, hope, and determination, and allow our bodies and minds to rest. Join us for some spiritual activism—a beginner-level yoga and meditation session to facilitate healing and create more flow within our lives.
Contacting Government Officials for Racial Justice
Monday, September 14, 3:00 - 4:00 pm
Zoom
Join the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and the Pennsylvania Center for Women and Politics (PCWP) to learn best practices in communicating to elected officials on racial justice issues. Dr. Dana Brown, executive director of PCWP, will cover the ‘how-to’ when writing a letter to an elected official, making effective phone calls, and meeting with elected officials.
White Aspiring Allies for Racial Justice Q&A
Tuesday, September 15, 4:00 - 5:00 pm
Zoom
Join Chatham’s K-12 Education Coordinator, Kelly Henderson and Assistant Professor of Immersive Media, Dr. Doug North-Cook for a conversation around what it means to be a White aspiring ally for racial justice. Bring your questions, your thoughts, and an open mind.
Black, Brown, and Indigenous Wellness Space
Dates and times forthcoming
BIPOC in America navigate racial trauma on an ongoing basis. While calling for change it is critical that self-care and wellness are prioritized: finding moments of rest is an act of resistance. The Counseling Center and ODEI will offer wellness spaces for BIPOC students with BIPOC counselors as an opportunity for collective rest and mindfulness.
i am committed to anti-racism campaign
September 7-18
During the Week of Action for Racial Justice, Chatham community members will have an opportunity to take a stand and have that stand be known and recognized.
BIPOC Door/Wall Signs
This poster is for BIPOC community members to share their experiences with racism. Please visit the link below to sign up for a poster. When completed, it will be available for pick up or mailed through campus mail.
ALLY DOOR/WALL SIGNS
This poster is for Aspiring Allies to share their commitment and personal action towards racial justice. Please visit the link below to sign up for a poster. When completed, it will be available for pick up or mailed through campus mail.
ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR ENGAGEMENT WITH RACIAL JUSTICE
Black Girl Equity Alliance & Gwen's Girls 5th Annual Equity Summit and Awards Ceremony: "She Matters" - Protecting & Uplifting the Well-Being of Black Girls Keynote Speaker: Cyntoia Brown Long
September 24 and 25, 9:00 am - 4:30 pm
Just Films Presents Say Her Name: The Life and Death of Sandra Bland
September 29, 11:30 am
The Women's Institute invites you to stream the film this month, then join local experts and activists for a discussion and Q&A. Register for the discussion to receive the Zoom link.
In 2015, Sandra Bland, a politically active 28-year-old black woman from Chicago was arrested for a traffic violation in a small Texas town. Three days later, Sandra was found hanging from a noose in her jail cell. Though ruled a suicide, her death sparked allegations of racially-motivated police murder and Sandra became a poster child for activists nationwide, leaving millions to question, “What really happened to Sandra Bland?” Ten days after Sandra’s death, filmmakers, Kate Davis and David Heilbroner began working closely with the family’s legal team, tracking the two-year battle between Sandra’s aggrieved family and Texas authorities. With disturbing, never-before-told details about the case, the film is punctuated by Sandra’s own passionate and moving commentary. Say Her Name takes viewers deep inside a story that galvanized activists across the country.
Purdue University: Pursuing Racial Justice Together - Year of Speakers Event
All events are virtual, free, and open to the public.
Click here for events
ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR RACIAL JUSTICE IN PITTSBURGH
For more information on how you can participate in the Week of Action for Racial Justice, please contact the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at odei@chatham.edu.
