Loyola to host anti-racism webinar series

This summer Loyola University Maryland will host “Voices on Equity: A Lunchtime Series with Loyola,” a series of webinars discussing topics around race, anti-racism, and living out a deeper commitment to Baltimore.

“Our Catholic, Jesuit tradition calls us to be contemplatives in action,” said Cheryl Moore-Thomas, Ph.D., chief equity and inclusion officer. “The Voices on Equity: A Lunchtime Series with Loyola offers an opportunity for us to hear from experts across our campus as we reflect and commit to the work we must do in the aim of anti-racism. This summer series is an important step in Loyola’s continuing commitment to action, offering practical approaches that help us lean into our mission more fully. This series is a part of a cohesive and inclusive plan to condemn racism at Loyola and beyond.”

The scheduled webinars are:

• “Walking Through the Moment: Lessons Learned and Ways to Recognize and Practice Antiracist Behavior”
  Presented by Karsonya Wise Whitehead, Ph.D., associate professor of communication and African and African American studies at Loyola, and Helina Haile, M.A., Peace Studies, University of Notre Dame
  Wednesday, June 24, 2020
  Noon-12:30 p.m.

• “The Social Construction of Systemic Racism: Why Doing Nothing Makes You Complicit”
  Presented by H. Lovell Smith, Ph.D., assistant professor of sociology
  Wednesday, July 8, 2020
  Noon-12:30 p.m. 

• “Activism, Engagement, and Baltimore”
  Presented by Erin O’Keefe, ’03, director of Center for Community Service and Justice and York Road Initiative
  Tuesday, July 14, 2020
  Noon-12:30 p.m.

• “Reflection on Anti-racism”
  Presented by Rev. Timothy Brown, S.J., associate professor of law and social responsibility
  Wednesday, July 22, 2020
  Noon-12:30 p.m. This presentation will not include a Q&A session.

Additional webinars may be scheduled later this summer.

Questions for the presenters can be submitted in advance of the webinars, which are being organized by Loyola’s office of equity and inclusion. Registration is required, but all are welcome. 

To register and for more information, visit www.loyola.edu/voices.

About Loyola’s Office of Equity and Inclusion

Moore-Thomas is Loyola’s first chief equity and inclusion officer at Loyola University Maryland. In planning for concrete action steps, the office of equity and inclusion approaches these issues with an integrative model of leadership, which draws its strength from partnerships and collaborations extending to every division of our university. The President’s Council on Equity and Inclusion is leading the development of the diversity, equity, and inclusion strategic plan. This plan will have measurable outcomes in the following areas: education and assessment; inclusion and accessibility; and defining what it means to be an Ignatian citizen in the context of diversity, equity, and inclusion. These measures are being developed as we speak and will be rolled out in fall 2020 with a three-year plan that will challenge and engage our whole institution. For more information visit the Office of Equity and Inclusion website.