HSU students, faculty, staff, and community members are invited to engage in this year’s summit by participating in speaker Q&A sessions via Zoom. Topics covered include racial equality, transgender voices, impacts of COVID-19, emotional wellbeing, and health-wealth disparities.
Historically, the summit has been a weekend of learning of growth with the goal of furthering participants’ understanding of social justice. This year, the first ever virtual event, will continue that tradition while exploring social justice in context of the COVID-19 pandemic and its illumination of systemic inequities.
Social Justice Summit Events
Wednesday, March 3 at noon & Thursday, March 18 at 4 p.m.
Comic writer Juliana “Jewels” Smith presents “Humor Writing in Dark Times.” Smith is the creator of afrocentric, a comic that challenges presumptions around race, class, gender, and sexuality. The workshop will focus on the craft of joke writing and hands-on activities designed to make the not-so-funny funny and amplify the voice of marginalized people. A second workshop is scheduled. Register for Smith’s March 3 and March 18 workshops.
Thursday, March 4 at 1 p.m.
Comedian and disability rights activist “Nina G” will share stories and laughs. She is the author of “Stutterer Interrupted: The Comedian Who Almost Didn’t Happen” and “Once Upon An Accommodation: A Book About Learning Disabilities.” Challenging the status quo of how people who stutter are perceived, Nina substitutes the negative emotions of shame, denial, and isolation with positive ones of pride, acceptance, and community. She has been featured on NPR, BBC, “Psychology Today,” TEDx, and Howard Stern. Register for Nina G’s presentation here.
Friday, March 5 at 3 p.m.
Sonya Renee Taylor will talk about radical self-love, mental health, disabilities, sexuality, and more. She is the author of “The Body is Not An Apology,” and known as an artist, educator, social justice activist, and founder of The Body is Not An Apology movement. A former national and international poetry slam champion, Taylor is a transformational leader who continues to mesmerize audiences across the globe. Register for Taylor’s presentation here.
For more information email SJEIC@humboldt.edu. Register for the Summit at sjei.humboldt.edu/social-justice-summit.