Morning Keynote – Dr. Gail Christopher
Dr. Christopher is an award-winning social change agent with expertise in the social determinants of health and well-being and in related public policies. She is known for her pioneering work to infuse holistic health and diversity concepts into public sector programs and policy discourse. She is the author of Rx Racial Healing: A guide to embracing our humanity, a book that provides tools and resources for teaching racial healing in colleges, institution, and communities.
Afternoon Keynote – Dr. Kim Park Nelson
Dr. Nelson is an educator and researcher whose work uses adoption as a lens to understand race and culture. She is director and associate professor of Ethnic Studies at Winona State University. Issues related to international adoption are part of the long history and larger discussion of “taking children” from their original families and cultures. Dr. Kim brings her personal experience combined with a researcher’s objectivity to this much needed discussion. She is the author of Invisible Asians: Korean American Adoptees, Asian American Experiences, and Racial Exceptionalism, which dismantles the stereotype that Asian Americans are untouched by racial marginalization.
Evening Program – LET THE LITTLE LIGHT SHINE – film screening and discussion with Kevin Shaw
As a director, producer and cinematographer, Kevin Shaw has created award-winning content for national television networks. Let the Little Light Shine is the story of a thriving elementary school in Chicago’s fastest growing neighborhood that is a beacon for Black children, until gentrification threatens its closure. When a proposal is initiated to close the National Teachers Academy and transform it into a high school benefiting the community’s wealthier residents, parents, students and educators fight for the elementary school’s survival.
Some of the Concurrent Session topics:
There will also be a Teach-In Prayer and Reflection Service 12:00-12:30 pm.