Online inclusive excellence forum planned for Oct. 12

Wright State University will hold an online forum on inclusive excellence and racial inequality on campus, in the region and nationally.

The forum will take place on Zoom on Monday, Oct. 12, at 6 p.m. The forum is limited to 50 participants, and registration is required. Register for the forum.

The forum is open to Wright State students, faculty and staff.

Wright State’s inclusive excellence forums are part of an ongoing effort to create a sustained dialogue about diversity and racial inequality at the university. Two inclusive excellence forums were held in July and quickly filled up with registrants.

“We are excited to offer another opportunity to engage with members of the Wright State community on issues regarding inclusive excellence,” said Chris Taylor, dean of students.

The forum will begin with remarks from President Sue Edwards on the meaning of inclusive excellence at Wright State as well as plans to ensure inclusive excellence is embedded throughout the university.

The diversity-focused forum is intended to provide safe spaces where participants can examine their beliefs, explore different perspectives and engage in meaningful dialogue. The purpose is to have conversations that promote understanding, compassion and mutual awareness. Through reflective discussion, forum participants can become more knowledgeable about recent racial injustices and the impact they have on everyone. While people may experience these social problems differently, forum participants will discuss ways in which they can contribute to the solution.

The Oct. 12 forum will include four facilitated breakout discussions:

  • Discussion on White Fragility and Committed Action: A space to better understand and discuss White fragility and its impact on racial inequality in our society as well as to create committed steps on how to take action moving forward. Facilitated by Julie Williams, professor in the School of Professional Psychology, and Chris Taylor, dean of students.
  • Discussion for Black Identifying Space: A safe space for Black identifying participants to share experiences and thoughts on racial inequality in our society both locally and nationally. Facilitated by Ebony Speakes-Hall, assistant professor of social work at Central State University, and Nicole Carter, director of the Women’s Center.
  • Discussion on Indigenous/Indigenous Ally Space: A safe space for Indigenous people and their allies to share experiences and thoughts on racial inequality in our society both locally and nationally. Facilitated by Guy Jones, a member of the Standing Rock Sioux Nation.
  • Discussion on Allyship and Activism: A space to learn and discuss skills for supporting underrepresented populations. Facilitated by Emily Yantis-Houser, associate director of LGBTQA affairs.
  • Asian Allyship and Advocacy: A space that will focus on discussion and awareness building of anti-Asian racism during the pandemic and beyond in an effort to provide participants an opportunity to learn and discuss skills for supporting Asian populations. Donald Hayashi, President of the Japanese American Citizens League Dayton Chapter and Carol Mejia-LaPerle professor of English.

All university community members are welcome to attend the forum and any breakout session they wish.

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