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Albright College Offers Empowering Voices Virtual Symposium

Explore contributions of Black feminist activists, artists and scholars modeling equity and inclusivity

Reading, PA (03/25/2021) — "Wholly Earth: Black Feminist Ecologies and Sustainable Futures" is a free, all day virtual symposium hosted by professors Kami Fletcher, Ph.D., and Mark Lomanno, Ph.D., at Albright College on April 7.

Inspired by an album of the same name by the late vocalist Abbey Lincoln, this symposium will feature workshops, roundtables and research presentations from the arts, humanities, natural and social sciences. Participants will focus on the innovative contributions of Black feminist activist, artistic and scholarly practices that can provide models for more equitable and inclusive life.

Wholly Earth Events speakers include:

  • Omi Osun Joni L. Jones, Ph.D., professor emerita of African and African diaspora studies, University of Texas at Austin;
  • Kameelah Martin, Ph.D., director of African American studies, College of Charleston;
  • Yvette Modestin, executive director, Encuentro Diaspora Afro.

Symposium virtual events include:

  • 11 a.m. - "Archeological investigations of the African American experience at Hopewell Furnace National Historical Park." How can archeology help us better understand and interpret the experiences of both enslaved and free African Americans who worked at Hopewell Furnace? Presented by Amy Fedchenko, Ph.D., and Jared Muehlbauer.
  • 12 p.m. - "Allyship and appropriation of Black artists." Q&A session with concert pianist and composer Brittney Boykin
  • 2 p.m. - "Sustaining faith in African American traditions." This panel discussion with Brenda Ingram Wallace, Ph.D., Ibrahim Bangura, M.Div., and Quentin Wallace, D. Min., will explore ways in which aspects of faith have sustained people of African descent from slavery to the current day.
  • Ongoing performances by Xion Step Team, Albright Rap Collective and Lion Records artists
  • "Imagining sustainable futures at Albright" - video presentation
  • Student presentations on artifacts from Albright's Central Pennsylvania African American Museum art collection

In-person events for campus community members will also include an accessibility barrier race highlighting mobility, dietary and sensory issues.

Visit albright.edu/EmpoweringAlbrightVoices to learn more.

Founded in 1856, Albright College is a diverse community of learners cultivating integrity, curiosity, connection and resilience. The college's flexible curriculum encourages students to combine and cross majors to create individualized academic programs. Close faculty mentorship and numerous experiential learning options create opportunities for Albright graduates to exceed their own expectations. Located in Reading, Pa., Albright enrolls more than 1,800 full-time undergraduates and 700 adult learners and graduate students.

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