The African American Faculty and Staff Association, in conjunction with the Women’s Faculty and Staff Network, the Office of Multicultural Affairs, the Center for African American Studies, and the College of Liberal Arts Ideas Committee, present UTA Black History Month – the Black Experience: Past, Present, and Future. During the month of February, faculty and staff reflects on the achievements, contributions, history, and current events of African Americans who struggled with adversity for racial justice. Hear the stories that have inspired change and created a way to continue the conversation about diversity, inclusion, and equality. This 4-part conversation, which will happen every Monday in February, will allow faculty and staff to get an in-depth understanding of the following topics:
“Bailey versus Dallas County: Justice for Corey”
by Mr. Cedric Bailey
During the first session called “Bailey versus Dallas County: Justice for Corey,” Mr Cedric Bailey will talk about the circumstances and the events surrounding the horrific death of a Dallas inmate and brother, Corey Bailey. Learn how an unfortunate incident has affect Mr. Cedric Bailey’s life and how he has used this situation to inform, inspire, and educate others about inequity and accountability.
“Black Lives Matter in Academia and What You can Do”
by Dr. Myrtle Bell
On Monday, February 8 at 12 P.M., get ready for a conversation with Myrtle Bell, the Associate Dean for Diversity, Racial Equity and Inclusion in the College of Business, as she talks about “Black Lives Matter in Academia and What You Can Do.” This informative session will explain how to navigate the world of academics wherein anti-blackness is likely to be manifested as disdain, disregard, and disgust for Black faculty and staff. With real life examples, participants will know what roles they should play to resist inequity, racism, and white supremacy in academics.
Other Resources: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/gwao.12555
“Weathering the Black Tax: After 400 years, It’s Time for a Tax Reduction”
by Dr. Jacqueline Barnett
Dr. Jacqueline Barnett is the first African American to serve as the program director of the Duke University Physician Assistant Program. During the conversation, Dr. Barnett will talk about the Black Tax which often refers to the pressure that black professionals feel when it comes to sharing their wealth with struggling family members; thereby, making it difficult to build generational wealth. Join the conversation on February 15 to learn more about this interesting topic.
“Black Oscars: From Mammy to Minny, What the Academy Awards tell us about African Americans”
by Dr. Frederick Gooding
Dr. Frederick Gooding is the professor of African American Studies at Texas Christian University (TCU) and author of Black Oscars: From Mammy to Minny, what the Academy Awards tell us about African Americans. According to Amazon, the book “reflects on how the Oscars have recognized blacks from the award’s inception to the present… Historical trends with prior winners will show consistent patterns when it comes to black characters in film and ultimately judge whether mainstream race relations has truly changed substantively or only superficially over time…. [Faculty and staff] will see how the Oscars are indispensable guide to understanding race in mainstream Hollywood.” Join the conversation with Dr. Frederick Gooding on Monday, February 22.
Other Resources: https://www.amazon.com/Black-Oscars-Academy-African-Americans/dp/153812372X