By Molly Mills
The Bob and Aleicia Woodrick Center for Equity and Inclusion continues its Diversity Lecture Series at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 13 at Fountain Street Church.
Bakari Sellers, a CNN Political Analyst, Lawyer and Activist, will be the night’s keynote speaker. Sellers is the the youngest member of the South Carolina Legislature and the youngest African-American elected official in the nation.
The purpose of the lecture series is to encourage people to think differently and more openly to new concepts regarding diversity in West Michigan.
“The Diversity Lecture Series is one of several programming initiatives that provide (Grand Rapids Community College) and the surrounding community with opportunities to experience ideas related to multicultural competence first-hand,” said Chief Equity and Inclusion Officer B. Afeni McNeely Cobham in an email to The Collegiate. “It has been a long-standing tradition to invite featured speakers that are willing to engage our community in conversations that are often difficult to have.”
She also explained why it is important for students to attend the Diversity Lecture Series and others like it.
“I encourage students to participate in these important conversations and use the opportunity to strengthen skills in areas that include, but are not limited to, intergenerational dialogue, critical analysis, and social justice literacy,” she said. “Acquiring the stamina to hone these skills will serve students well in academia, the workforce and in their personal lives.”
Feminist author and journalist Jessica Valenti will be the last to speak in this lecture series on March 20, also at Fountain Street Church, located at 24 Fountain St NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503.
