The National Center for Institutional Diversity is proud to co-sponsor a series of sessions on Critical Race Theory as part of the 2022 Juneteenth Symposium, featuring prominent members of the Diversity Scholars Network. 

The symposium is a partnership between the University of Michigan (U-M) and the Ann Arbor Branch of the NAACP. A list of events can be found here.

Register for sessions

Forbidden Knowledge Fights Back: How We Fight State Bans against Critical Race Theory

Thursday, June 16 | 11:00–12:30 p.m. ET
Black institutions, organizations, and scientists have been key to the promotion of equality, justice, and progress of the Black community in the United States. This day will celebrate these communities by celebrating their history, traditions, and contributions.
Panelists: Dr. Sumi Cho, Director of Strategic Initiatives, The African American Policy Forum; Heather Malveaux, Campaign Manager, The African American Policy Forum; Kristin Penner, Research Fellow, The African American Policy Forum; Leah Cohen, Communications Strategist, The African American Policy Forum; Samuel Hoadley-Brill, Research & Writing Fellow, The African American Policy Forum; Sol A. Kersey, Legal Fellow, The African American Policy Forum; Dr. Taifha Natalee Alexander, Critical Race Studies Project Director, University of California, Los Angeles

The Application of Critical Race Theory in Our Everyday Lives

Friday, June 17 | 10:30–11:50 a.m. ET

Race is a social construct created to categorize groups, allocate resources, and manage power. The construct establishes and sustains racism, the abuse of power, and the inequitable distribution of resources. Critical Race Theory (CRT) calls out the institutional racism that naturally stems from the social construct of race, which is quite apparent in American society. This session will discuss the application of CRT in our everyday lives including the workplace, education, and even our cultural interactions.

Moderator: Dr. David J. Luke, Chief Diversity Officer, University of Michigan-Flint
Panelists: Ryan Butler, Vice President of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Recording Academy; George Rice II, Interim Director of Programming Office of Equity & Inclusion in the Office of The President, Montgomery College

Critical Race Theory and the Fight for Civil Rights

Friday, June 17 | 12:00–1:30 p.m. ET

Critical Race Theory (CRT) includes 4 major tenets. This session will focus on two of those tenets to explore how CRT can inform approaches to the fight for civil rights.

TENET 1: Rejection of popular understandings about racism, such as arguments that confine racism to a few “bad apples.” CRT recognizes that racism is codified in law, embedded in structures, and woven into public policy. CRT rejects claims of meritocracy or “colorblindness.” CRT recognizes that it is the systemic nature of racism that bears primary responsibility for reproducing racial inequality.

TENET 2: Recognition of the relevance of people’s everyday lives to scholarship. This includes embracing the lived experiences of people of color, including those preserved through storytelling, and rejecting deficit-informed research that excludes the epistemologies of people of color.

Talking to two Civil Rights Movement icons, we will explore how civil rights activism must continue to evolve to truly address the structural foundations of racism, examine their lived experiences to inform ongoing civil rights efforts, and provide evidence in support of CRT.

Speakers: Roland S. Martin, CEO of Black Star Network; Minnijean Brown Trickey, Activist and Member of the Little Rock Nine