The deadline to register for the Fall 2020 Culturally Responsive Campus Community (CRCC) Conference is October 22. Register at the CRCC website.
Under the theme Equity with a Mirror, CRCC 2020 aims to speak to the goal of facing personal, institutional, and societal barriers to overcoming anti-Blackness. CRCC 2020 will be from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. October 29-30 via Zoom. Registration is free and open to the public. Find more information on the CRCC website.
Tamika Mallory, a nationally recognized activist and staunch advocate of justice for Breonna Taylor, will be the keynote speaker for the event. The first day of the conference, October 29, will feature Mallory, along with other nationally recognized speakers who will lead concurrent, reflective sessions on recognizing and addressing anti-Blackness; anti-Blackness in academia; Afro Latinx identity, culture, and politics; and healing mindfulness and anti-Blackness. The second day of the conference, October 30, will be an institute—a deeper dive into topics covered the first day.
Day 1 attendance is required to register for day 2. CRCC organizers understand prior, firm commitments—such as class and appointments—and will allow flexibility for those who can attend most, but not all, sessions.
Find the schedule and other conference information at the CRCC website at crcc.illinoisstate.edu/. Those with questions can contact the CRCC at CRCC@ilstu.edu.
Keynote Speaker – Tamika Mallory
Mallory is an esteemed social justice leader, political activist, and a next-generation advocate for human rights, equal rights for women, health care, gun restrictions, and ethical police conduct. In 2017, as co-chair of the national Women’s March, she helped organize the largest single-day protest in U.S. history. Find out more about Mallory.
Healing, Mindfulness and Anti-Blackness – Dr. Angel Acosta
For the last decade, Dr. Angel Acosta has worked to bridge the fields of leadership, social justice, and mindfulness. He completed his doctorate in curriculum and teaching at Teachers College, Columbia University. Dr. Acosta has supported educational leaders and their students by facilitating leadership trainings, creating pathways to higher education, and designing dynamic learning experiences. Learn more about Dr. Acosta.
Recognizing and Addressing Anti-Blackness – Melissa Denizard
Melissa Denizard, a native of Haiti, is a 21-year old activist, organizer, and documentarian. Since high school, Denizard has been committed to social justice, particularly pro-Black liberation. She uses several mediums, including public speaking, film, digital media, graphic design, and the written word, to help innovate Gen Z’s approach to political theory and discourse, specifically how they address issues relating to race, gender, and social class within the United States’ political framework. Learn more about Denizard.
Session Focus: Afro Latinx identity, Culture & Politics – Rosa Clemente
Rosa Alicia Clemente is a Black-Puerto Rican woman born and raised in the Bronx, New York. She is an organizer, producer, independent journalist, and scholar-activist. From Cornell to prisons, Clemente is one of her generation’s leading scholars on the issues of Afro/Black-Latina/Latino/Latinx identity. Her groundbreaking article, “Who is Black?” published in 2001, was the catalyst for many discussions regarding Blackness in Latinx culture. Learn more about Clemente.
Anti-Blackness in the Academy – Dr. Kisha Porcher
Dr. Kisha Porcher is a scholar-practitioner, and agent of change for all students in urban areas. She is passionate and deliberate about ensuring that all students have an equitable opportunity to learn regardless of race, class, gender, socioeconomic status, sexuality, and/or religion. An assistant professor of English education at the University of Delaware, Dr. Porcher is the co-founder and co-creator of the Black Gaze Podcast. Learn more about Dr. Porcher.