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Racial Justice, Freedom and Activism in Nashville and Beyond: Then and Now Symposium

The Office for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, in partnership with the Chancellor’s Lecture Series and the Vanderbilt Project on Unity and American Democracy, will host a daylong virtual racial justice symposium on March 26. Read more >>

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Racial Justice, Freedom and Activism in Nashville and Beyond: Then and Now Symposium

SCHEDULE

9–9:05 a.m.

Opening Video + Chancellor Daniel Diermeier’s opening remarks

9:05–9:30 a.m.

Session 1: Introduction to “This Moment of Reckoning” and Its Historical Context

Panelists:

  • Dr. André L. Churchwell, vice chancellor for equity, diversity and inclusion and chief diversity officer, Vanderbilt University
  • Dennis Dickerson, Reverend James M. Lawson Professor and professor of history, College of Arts and Science, Vanderbilt University

9:30–10:30 a.m.

Session 2: Fresh Scholarship and a Historian’s View

Moderator: Jon Meacham, Carolyn T. and Robert M. Rogers Professor of American Presidency, Vanderbilt University

Panelists:

  • Alice Randall, writer-in-residence, Department of African American and Diaspora Studies, College of Arts and Science, Vanderbilt University
  • Bobby Lovett, Ph.D. historian, consultant, author, retired history professor, Tennessee State University
  • Dennis Dickerson, Reverend James M. Lawson Professor and professor of history, College of Arts and Science, Vanderbilt University

10:45–11:45 a.m.

Session 3: News and Media’s Role in Nashville’s Civil Rights Movement

Moderator: Vanessa Beasley, vice provost for academic affairs and dean of residential faculty, Vanderbilt University

Panelists:

  • Dwight Lewis, author and retired reporter, columnist and editorial page editor for The Tennessean
  • Pat Embry, director of media and community relations, The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee, and former executive editor of the Nashville Banner
  • Yamiche Alcindor, white house correspondent, PBS NewsHour; NBC and MSNBC political contributor

11:45 a.m.–12:30 p.m.

Lunch Break

12:30–2 p.m.

Session 4: Past Voices in Conversation with Current Activists

Moderator: Caroline Randall Williams, writer-in-residence in medicine, health and society, Vanderbilt University

Panelists:

  • Angeline Butler, performing artist, educator and civil rights icon, adjunct professor at John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York City
  • Charlane Oliver, co-executive director and co-founder, The Equity Alliance
  • Jamil Smith, senior writer, Rolling Stone
  • Justin Jones, activist and organizer
  • Rev. James Lawson, Distinguished University Professor, Emeritus, at Vanderbilt University, Vanderbilt Divinity School Distinguished Alumni/ae Award winner and Vanderbilt University Distinguished Alumnus

2–2:30 p.m.

Session 5: Summation: What We Have Learned and Thoughts About the Future

  • Dr. André L. Churchwell, vice chancellor for equity, diversity and inclusion and chief diversity officer, Vanderbilt University
  • Rev. Kelly Miller Smith Jr., pastor, First Baptist Church, Capitol Hill, Nashville
  • Rhonda Y. Williams, John L. Seigenthaler Professor of American History, professor of history, professor of African American and diaspora studies
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Registration required. Register below to attend: