Creating Racial Equality in the 21st Century, Oct. 3-5
Located in the city known as the home of Frederick Douglass and Susan B. Anthony, Nazareth College and St. John Fisher College are co-hosting the regional conference of the National Association for African American Studies and Affiliates (NAAAS) at Nazareth from October 3 - 5. This innovative three-day conference is attracting scholars from across the globe who will attend and explore a wide-range of diversity-related topics with a theme of Creating Racial Equity in the 21st Century. The inter-institutional collaboration will address a wide array of diversity-related topics.
“This conference is so relevant given the challenges our county is facing as we try to create more diverse and inclusive communities,” said Lisa Durant-Jones, associate vice president in Academic Affairs at Nazareth. Some of the topics explored include restorative justice, implicit bias, gender identity, gentrification and immigration.
The opening day takes place at Nazareth College with a keynote session on Oct. 3 by Keith Jenkins, vice president and associate provost of Diversity and Inclusion at RIT, and runs from 9:00 -10:00 a.m in the Shults Center Forum.
St. John Fisher will host Friday’s events and workshops, which feature a special set of programming exploring the life and work of Frederick Douglass and Susan B. Anthony.
NAAAS is also honoring one of the Rochester community’s most beloved citizens and Nazareth lecturer, Dr. David Anderson. Since his arrival in our city many decades ago, Anderson has played a key role in teaching and preserving the legacy and history of our African-American ancestry. In addition to his outstanding work with Nazareth College, Anderson is involved in countless community activities. He is the founder of the Rochester Kwanzaa Coalition and has been a leader of that organization for the past 30 years. Some of his many other contributions include his work with Frederick Douglass Family Initiatives; AKWAABA Historical Re-enactments, which brings to life the stories of those running to freedom on the Underground Railroad; the Black Storytelling League, of which he is one of the founders; Rochester’s 150 Ancestors Project; and his annual commemoration of African American Civil War soldiers at Mt. Hope Cemetery.
The conference returns to Nazareth on Saturday for another series of workshops and panel discussions.
For More Information
Julie Long | Chief PR Officer | 585-389-2456 or jlong2@naz.edu
Nazareth University is an inclusive community of inspired learners, educators, and changemakers who for nearly 100 years have been driven by a bold commitment to action, empathy, equity, and leading innovation for the common good. Impact experiences are at the heart of a Nazareth education, preparing each student to discover within themselves the potential to cultivate positive change in their life's work, in any career field, and in a world that is constantly evolving and infinitely interconnected.
Our broad academic offerings present a range of study options typical of larger universities, yet achieved in our supportive campus culture. Nearly 2,100 undergrad and 600 graduate students enroll in degree and certificate programs and engage in collaborative, transformative learning experiences, preparing for the professions and society of today and tomorrow. In a learning community that purposefully integrates liberal arts and professional programs, Nazareth University graduates are able to launch a lifetime of impactful leadership in communities and workplaces near and far.
