September 23, 2026 in Shults Forum
Naz alum, artist, professor, cultural thinker...Ya'qub Shabazz '24 explores Black American identity, memory, migration, and cultural expression. Through painting, printmaking, and sculpture, he examines how culture and lived experience shape identity and community. Shabazz has taught in community programs, correctional facilities, and university settings, using art as a tool for reflection and transformation. He is currently a visiting lecturer at RIT and Director of ArtEx.
4:00PM: Creativity and the Search for Meaning
An interdisciplinary lecture exploring creativity as a force for resilience, healing, leadership, and social change.
7:00PM: Exploring Culture Through Art, Music, and Society
This lecture explores how music shaped American identity and the Civil Rights Movement through the legacies of Stax Records and Motown.
October 1, 2026 in Shults Forum
Dr. Rolanda Ward is a Professor of Social Work, Chair, and BSW Program Director at Niagara University. She also serves as the inaugural Endowed Faculty Director of the Rose Bente Lee Ostapenko Center. Dr. Ward holds a doctorate in Social Work and Sociology, and a Masters in Divinity from Boston University, and is a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) whose research focuses on underserved and marginalized communities.
4:00PM: Sacred Differences: Weaving Race, Story, and Connection Across Traditions
Join Dr. Rolanda as she explores how race, culture, and personal experiences shape identity and influence relationships across diverse faith traditions.
7:00PM: Lament, Liberation, and Imagination: Beyond Forgiveness in the Aftermath of Racial Violence
Examines the impact of racial violence and explores themes of grief, justice, healing, and liberation.
Learn more about Nazareth's DE&I interdisciplinary interfaith studies minor, which examines globalization, pluralism, inclusiveness, and spiritual values.