CLA Presents: Recent Episodes
The College of Liberal Arts at the University of Minnesota
Podcasts from the College of Liberal Arts at the University of Minnesota. In CLA Presents you’ll encounter the thought leaders, change-makers, and visionaries shattering expectations and making our world a better place for everyone. Drawing from the award-winning and trendsetting College of Liberal Arts faculty, researchers, and creatives, these conversations will move you, inspire you, and keep you informed.
The “What’s Next?” Roundtable Series are CLA-hosted discussions with community leaders that seek to answer the question “What’s next for us to eliminate institutional and systemic racism in society in the wake of George Floyd’s death?”
This session, "Breaking Free: Creating transformative changes in policing for Minneapolis" was held online via Zoom on December 3, 2020.
How can we create transformative change in Minneapolis in the wake of the killing of George Floyd? This panel brought together community advocates, activists, and political leaders to discuss their visions for the future of policing.
PANELISTS:
Andrea Jenkins, Council Vice President, Minneapolis City Council
Jamael Lundy, Public Safety and Criminal Justice Reform Committee Administrator, Minnesota House of Representatives
Oluchi Omeoga, Co-founder, Black Visions Collective
Marquita Stephens, Director of Education Programs and Policy, Urban League Twin Cities
MODERATOR:
Michelle Phelps, Associate Professor, Department of Sociology, University of Minnesota
The “What’s Next?” Roundtable Series are CLA-hosted discussions with community leaders that seek to answer the question “What’s next for us to eliminate institutional and systemic racism in society in the wake of George Floyd’s death?”
This session, "You’ve Got to be Carefully Taught: Our classrooms are where our children get their social lenses" was held online via Zoom on November 19, 2020.
Let’s take a critical look at how curriculum and pedagogy within our public and private elementary and secondary classrooms can shift how our children view themselves and each other as equally important young citizens. Join us for a conversation about education in the context of student resistance and political upheaval.
PANELISTS:
Courtney Bell, former Minneapolis High School teacher; Founder and Principal Consultant, Courtney S. Bell Consultants, LLC
Kimberly Colbert, English Teacher, Central High School
Brian D. Lozenski, Associate Professor of Urban and Multicultural Education, Macalester College
Vernon Rowe, Principal, Northeast Middle School
MODERATOR:
Rose Brewer, Professor, Department of African American and African Studies, University of Minnesota
The “What’s Next?” Roundtable Series are CLA-hosted discussions with community leaders that seek to answer the question “What’s next for us to eliminate institutional and systemic racism in society in the wake of George Floyd’s death?”
This session, "Walking the Talk: Be inspired by CLA grads using their influence for social change" was held online via Zoom on October 22, 2020.
CLA is grounded in the principle that through the liberal arts we can examine, influence, and build a better society for everyone. Many of our graduates are doing just that, and especially in the arena of racial justice. A few of them will share their stories. All of us will be inspired.
PANELISTS:
Ernest Comer III, Presidential Co-Chair, UMN Black Alumni Network; Associate Director, African American Leadership Forum (BA '09, speech communication)
Suzie Hewitt, Senior Lead Marketing Manager, Lumen Technology (Bachelors of Individualized Studies '14)
Amber Jones, Community Outreach Coordinator, Council for Minnesotans of African Heritage (BA '15, African American & African studies)
Toussaint Morrison, Writer, Actor, Community Organizer, On Site Public Media (BA '06, theatre arts)
Jonathan Weinhagen, President & CEO, Minneapolis Regional Chamber
MODERATOR:
Keith Mayes, Associate Professor, Department of African American & African Studies
The “What’s Next?” Roundtable Series are CLA-hosted discussions with community leaders that seek to answer the question “What’s next for us to eliminate institutional and systemic racism in society in the wake of George Floyd’s death?”
This session, "Money Talks: Leveraging the power of business and philanthropy in pursuit of racial justice" was held online via Zoom on October 8, 2020.
The Twin Cities boasts a vibrant philanthropic community, with many organizations focused on addressing racial disparities and creating more equitable communities. Added to that are numerous thriving businesses including Fortune 500 companies.
What role do these important sectors play in answering calls for racial justice?
How will they respond to calls for change?
How do and should they intersect to create a web of support for eliminating institutional and systemic racism in society?
PANELISTS:
Kara Carlisle, Vice President of Programs, McKnight Foundation
Trista Harris, President, FutureGood
Chanda Smith Baker, Senior Vice President of Impact, Minneapolis Foundation
Jonathan Weinhagen, President & CEO, Minneapolis Regional Chamber
MODERATOR:
Amelious N. Whyte, Jr., PhD, Director of Public Engagement, College of Liberal Arts