Karson Institute for Race, Peace & Social Justice partners with The Baltimore Sun to host Black History Month COMloquia
Karsonya “Kaye” Wise Whitehead, Ph.D., founding executive director of the Karson Institute for Race, Peace & Social Justice and professor of communication and African and African American studies, will lead the discussions in collaboration with Kamau High, The Baltimore Sun editor in education and diversity, equity & inclusion.
The series will cover each of the Karson Institute’s three centers, the Center for Teaching and Learning, the Center for Research and Culture, and the Center for Public Engagement.
“As we celebrate Black History Month and the theme ‘Black Health and Wellness,’ this series will provide us with multiple opportunities to discuss that state of the Black community with scholars from history, the arts, and the faith community,” said Whitehead. “We are at a critical moment within the Black community and in this country as we wrestle with the importance of teaching critical race consciousness. Now more than ever, we need to create spaces to have these critical—and courageous—conversations.”
The “Black History Month Conversations” COMloquium schedule includes:
Wednesday, Feb. 2, noon–1 p.m.
“Peace is the Presence of Justice” with Erricka Bridgeford, co-founder, Baltimore Ceasefire, and executive director, Baltimore Community Mediation Center
Wednesday, Feb. 9, noon–1 p.m.
“The Black Renaissance: Arts, Artists, and Artistry” with Jacqueline “Jackie” Copeland, chair, Maryland State Arts Council
Wednesday, Feb. 16, noon–1 p.m.
“Toward an Intellectual History of Black Women” with Martha S. Jones, Ph.D., professor, The Johns Hopkins University
Wednesday, Feb. 23, noon–1 p.m.
“Providing Hope for the Black Community through Food and Faith” with Rev. Heber Brown III, D.Min., senior pastor, Pleasant Hope Baptist Church, and founder, Black Church Food Security Network
The “Toward an Intellectual History of Black Women” event is a collaboration between the Karson Institute for Race, Peace & Social Justice, The Baltimore Sun, the Southern Regional Education Board (SREB), and City Neighbors High School. “This is a unique opportunity to connect Baltimore City high school students with Loyola University Maryland and Morgan State University college students as well as the greater Baltimore City community in an in-depth discussion about the contributions that Black women have made to America,” said Whitehead, who will facilitate the Feb. 16 virtual discussion at City Neighbors. This has been made possible through the 2022 SREB Bob Belle Service Grant the Karson Institute recently received.
“Black History Month Conversations” marks the second year the Karson Institute has partnered with The Baltimore Sun for a COMloquium series.
The events are free and open to the public.