News Brief
For immediate use
UNC-Chapel Hill Institute of African American Research talk to discuss representation and influence of women and racial and ethnic minorities in public discourse
Co-directors of the University of Texas at Austin’s OpEd Project will share insights into their work
(Chapel Hill, N.C. – Feb. 5, 2016) – The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s Institute of African American Research will host a discussion by Professors Daina Ramey Berry and Cherise Smith, co-directors of the University of Texas at Austin’s OpEd Project, which will discuss their program to increase the representation and influence of voices and expert knowledge from women and racial and ethnic minorities in public discourse.
Their presentation, which will focus on the development, organization and outcomes of the UT-Austin OpEd Project, will be held from 2 to 5 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 12, in the Hitchcock Multipurpose room at the Sonja Haynes Stone Center for Black Culture and History.
Founded in 2008, The OpEd Project is a national program designed to increase the range of voices and quality of ideas we hear in the world today. The project’s aim is to shift the dynamic of public discourse, increase gender equity and create greater diversity in thought leadership and public debate by mentoring women and minority men at universities, community organizations, non-profits and corporations that will participate in these discussions. Many top universities across the country have used this program to increase the public visibility of their faculty. Berry and Smith launched The OpEd Project, Public Voices Thought Leadership Fellowship Program, at UT-Austin in the fall of 2014.
“We are delighted to have the opportunity to learn from Professors Berry and Smith who lead a successful campus program ensuring the inclusion of ideas from professional academics traditionally underrepresented in public discourse,” said Karla Slocum, director of the Institute of African American Research. “Through their program accomplishments, we can learn how to increase the representation and influence of Carolina women and racial and ethnic minorities in important discussions about the major public topics of our time. Better decisions and outcomes are produced when a more inclusive and diverse group of bright, research-informed leaders and thinkers are involved in the process and recommendations.”
Berry is an associate professor of history in UT-Austin’s Department of African and African Diaspora studies and Department of History. A specialist in the history of gender and slavery in the U.S., her research interests include 19th century American history, comparative slavery and southern history, with a particular emphasis on the role of gender, labor, family and economy among the enslaved. She has appeared on the season finale of the NBC show “Who Do You Think You Are?” when she assisted film director, producer, writer, and actor Spike Lee in tracing his family ancestry.
Smith is an associate professor in the Department of Art and Art History at UT-Austin. She teaches courses in and has published articles on African American and African Diaspora art, the history of photography and contemporary art. She has worked in the curatorial departments of several museums and curated a number of exhibitions.
The program is free and open to the public. Reservations can be made by emailing iaar@unc.edu.
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About the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the nation’s first public university, is a global higher education leader known for innovative teaching, research and public service. A member of the prestigious Association of American Universities, Carolina regularly ranks as the best value for academic quality in U.S. public higher education. Now in its third century, the University offers 77 bachelor’s, 113 master’s, 68 doctorate and seven professional degree programs through 14 schools and the College of Arts and Sciences. Every day, faculty – including two Nobel laureates – staff and students shape their teaching, research and public service to meet North Carolina’s most pressing needs in every region and all 100 counties. Carolina’s more than 308,000 alumni live in all 50 states and 150 countries. More than 167,000 live in North Carolina.
Communications and Public Affairs contact: Michael John, (919) 445-8360, michael.john@unc.edu