ODI Updates

Belonging: What Can We Learn about Inclusion from Historically Black Colleges and Universities?

Posted by Natasha Martin, JD, Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion on Monday, February 24, 2020 at 5:06 PM PST

[We] come from a whole range of backgrounds. If our visions of peace don’t include these differences, then our peace will be partial. ~Kimberlee Crenshaw

Dear Colleagues,

As we close Black History Month and enter Women’s History Month, thank you for the numerous efforts across campus to advance understanding. I invite your continued engagement to learn and grow together, and to reflect on the contributions of so many whose resilience in the pursuit of justice remains a beckon of hope. A couple upcoming opportunities to note as we begin the month of March:

Educating for Justice Dialogue Session
Belonging: What Can We Learn about Inclusion from Historically Black Colleges and Universities?
Tuesday, March 3, 12:30–2 p.m.
LeRoux Conference Center (STCN 160)
Light lunch provided

The Office of Diversity and Inclusion invites faculty and staff to explore belonging through the unique contributions of historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs). This session aims to educate about and celebrate the role of HBCUs in propelling excellence, deepen understanding of barriers to belonging on our campus, and offer insight on advancing inclusivity in learning and engagement for the good of all students.

Colleagues will share the impact of their experiences of and exposure to HBCUs as we consider what we can learn from the HBCU student experience. This session is an opportunity to learn in relation to our collective work as a predominantly white institution to create a university that is inclusively excellent for all.

This session is a collaboration with faculty and staff colleagues who have partnered to share their experiences. RSVP to Adrena Collins at acollins@seattleu.edu to assist in planning. Please include any dietary restrictions.

What is Educating for Justice? 

For those new to our community, Educating for Justice in Complex Times – Prioritizing Humanity and Inclusion on Campus, is a monthly dialogue series for faculty and staff in which we come together over lunch, foster authentic relationships across difference, and engage on topics that impact our campus climate and advance our goals around diversity, equity and inclusion. Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion Natasha Martin, J.D. partners with colleagues on campus to co-create space for professional and personal growth.

If you have ideas or wish to co-sponsor a session, please get in touch at inclusion@seattleu.edu.

Red Talks Series: Inclusive Excellence Speaker Series (Winter Quarter installment)
El Ratón Vaquero | The Cowboy Rat: Pachucos to the School of the Americas and Back
With Francisco Guerrero, MFA, Associate Professor of Fine Arts
Tuesday, March 10 | 12:30–1:30 p.m.| Pigott Auditorium

In solidarity,

Natasha Martin, J.D.
Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion and Chief Diversity Officer
Associate Professor of Law