February 14, 2022
Conversation of Understanding to focus on rethinking African American history at SIU
A Conversation of Understanding virtual discussion this week will look at the African American history of Southern Illinois University “to provide a more accurate and complete narrative.” Faculty, staff, students, alumni and community members are invited to join the live virtual discussion at noon Tuesday, Feb. 15.
The discussion, “Rethinking the African American History of Southern Illinois University,” will encourage participants to re-evaluate traditional paradigms and examine new ways of interpreting history.
The meeting will be available on the SIU System’s YouTube channel.
The event will feature an SIU community panel sharing its members’ experiences and stories, followed by a Q&A session through the YouTube comment section. Questions may be submitted before the event by email to pkeith@siu.edu.
The participants include:
- Dan Mahony, SIU System president.
- Father Joseph Brown, SIU Carbondale, professor, Africana and Multicultural Studies, will serve as moderator.
- Sheila Caldwell, SIU System vice president for antiracism, diversity, equity and inclusion and chief diversity officer.
- Anthony Cheeseboro, SIU Edwardsville, associate professor, Northeastern African History and African American History.
- Carl Flowers, SIU Carbondale, emeritus director, Rehabilitation Institute.
- Timothy Staples, SIU Edwardsville, director, East St. Louis Center.
- Earleen Patterson, SIU Edwardsville, associate vice president for student opportunities, diversity, equity and inclusion.
This is the 12th session in a series of virtual exchanges since June 2020 where students, alumni, faculty, staff and community members can share their experiences and thoughts on a variety of themes related to diversity, inclusion and equity.
The SIU System President’s Office and the SIU System Diversity Advisory Council are discussion sponsors.