Enlightenment Workshop Series

The Enlightenment Workshop Series presents courageous conversations designed to foster a culture of inclusive excellence at the 91社区. Organized by the Black Employee Steering Committee with support from the Institute on Black Life and Black Faculty & Staff Association, these sessions began in 2020, and since the launch, over 1200 members of the USF community have registered to attend.

Under the coordination of Dr. Ruthmae Sears and Geveryl Robinson (co-chairs), the workshops focus on intersectional perspectives related to bias, cultural competence and systemic racism, with an emphasis on current trends facing Black communities across the African Diaspora.

Each lecture is free and open to the public and hosted online through Microsoft Teams.

Upcoming Schedule of Topics and Facilitators

 2024-2025 Schedule of Events
Date Topic Facilitators

October 15, 2024

Silence(d): Implications for democracy and responsibility in amplifying voices

 Dr. Adrianna Novoa, Dr. Dana Thompson-Dorsey, and Dr. Joshua Scacco

November 12, 2024

An attitude of gratitude: The importance of acknowledging individuals for their contribution and service to higher education

 Dr. Victoria Stuart, Dr. Jonathan Canady, and Dr. Angela Hill

December 10, 2024

We are one, yet we are many: Embracing our differences to advance ONE USF!

 Mr. Walter Davis III, and Dr. Michelle Madden

January 21, 2025

A vision for growth: Developing the workforce via mentorship, leadership, and development opportunities

 Dr. Gary Oliver, Dr. Alexis Mootoo, and Dr. Ruthmae Sears

February 11, 2025

How far have we come? A reflection on Black codes and culture.

 Dr. Denise Davis-Cotton, Ms. Geveryl Robinson, and Ms. Nicole Luckett

March 11, 2025

Food sovereignty: Conceptualizing policies and systems that impact food production, distribution, and consumption within the community

 Dr. Maya Trotz, Dr. Joseph Dorsey, BlueGAP, and Dr. William Schanbacher

April 8, 2025

Be an agent of change: Act locally, think globally

 Dr. Karin Braunsberger,Dr. LaSonya Moore, Dr. Michelle Hughes Miller, and Dr. Antoinette Jackson

May 13, 2025 

Take a break and rejuvenate: The importance of allocating time for wellness and well-being

Dr. Asia Wright, and Dr. Monica Miranda

Under the auspices of the USF Institute on Black Life, USF Black Employee Steering Committee, and the USF Black Faculty and Staff Association.

Past Topics and Facilitators

September 4, 2024 - General Education Content, Policies, and Skills: What is it and why does it matter?

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April 9, 2024- It鈥檚 getting hot in here: Addressing Climate Change via Education, Research, and the Arts.

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It鈥檚 Getting Hot in Here: Addressing Climate Change via Education, Research, and the Arts

March 5, 2024- Mentorship: Providing Support, Development, and Advancement

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Mentorship: Providing Support, Development, and Advancement

February 13, 2024- Black History Month: Learning from the Past, Living in the Present, Looking towards the Future.

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Black History Month: Learning from the Past, Living in the Present, Looking Toward the Future

January 16, 2024- Systematic Approach to Support Strategic Growth and ONE USF: Reflecting on Theories of Change

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Systematic Approach to Support Strategic Growth and ONE USF: Reflecting on Theories of Change

December 12, 2023- Mental Health: Supporting Healing, Hope, and Social and Emotional Growth

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Mental Health: Supporting Healing, Hope, and Social and Emotional Growth Diane Williams, MSW, LCSW Brianna Barnes-Harrington, PsyD Counseling Center 91社区

November 14, 2023- Thank you for listening to me: Voices from students describing factors influencing Students鈥� Success and Resiliency

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November enlightenment series

October 10, 2023-Me and My Money: Budget Model, Pay Equity, and Financial Well-Being 

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October enlightenment series

September 12, 2023- Laws and Policies Impacting Education: Implications on a Just and Inclusive Learning Environment

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September enlightenment series

April 18, 2023- Being Your Authentic Self: The Space Between Discomfort and Belonging

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April 18, 2023- Being Your Authentic Self: The Space Between Discomfort and Belonging

March 21, 2023- Embracing Culture in a Virtual Environment

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March Enlightenment Series: Embracing Culture in a Virtual Environment

February 21, 2023- Conceptualization, Commercialization, and Commodification of Ethnicity and Race

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February Enlightenment Series: Conceptualization, Commercialization, and Commodification of Ethnicity and Race

January 17, 2023- Model Minority Myth

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December 6, 2022- Looking through the Mirror and Window to
Evaluate Effectiveness 

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Looking through the window and mirror to evaluate effectiveness

November 15, 2022- Power and Privilege in Higher Education 

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Power and Privilege in Higher Education 

October 18, 2022- Equitable Workload and Expectations 

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October Enlightenment Series

September 20, 2022- Freedom of Speech vs Academic Freedom: The Cost of Self-Expression. 

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September Enlightenment Series

April 19, 2022- A Blueprint to Inclusive Excellence; A Systemic Approach to Catalyze Change

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Enlightenment Series April 2022

March 8, 2022- The Intersectionality of Gender, Race, and 鈥淕lass Ceilings" in Higher Education

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March Powerpoint slide with title of discussion topic.

February 8, 2022 - From Protest to Progress: Combating Discrimination, Bias, and Oppressive Practices

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February 8, 2022- Enlightenment Series Workshop: From Protest to Progress: Combating Discrimination, Bias, and Oppressive Practices

January 18, 2022 - From Bystander to Ally and Advocacy: Addressing Inequities in Higher Education

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January 18, 2022- From Bystander to Ally and Advocacy: Addressing Inequities in Higher Education

December 14, 2021 - Waiting to Exhale: Maintaining a Work-Life Balance

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December 14, 2021- Waiting to Exhale: Maintaining a Work-Life Balance

November 14, 2021 - The Gap That Divides: Becoming Bridge Builders to Promote Student Success

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November 14, 2021- The Gap That Divides: Becoming Bridge Builders to Promote Student Success

October 12, 2021 - People Matter: The Economics of Equity

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Enlightenment Workshop Series: People Matter: The Economics of Equity

September 14, 2021 - Leadership towards Equity and Inclusion: The Power of Action

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Leadership toward equity and inclusion: the power of action.

June 18, 2021 - Endarkened Conversations on racism, power and politics.

Endarkened Conversation: Racism, Power, and Politics. Presented by Dr. Dana Thompson Dorsey and Dr. Vonzell Agosto. 鈥淯nder the auspices of the USF Institute on Black Life, USF Black Employee Steering Committee, and the USF Black Faculty & Staff Association鈥�

May 4, 2021 - The D.N.A of Microaggression

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Dismantling the D.N.A of Microaggression in the Workplace, presented by Mr. Ackeem Salmon, Dr. Denise Davis-Cotton, and Dr. Ruthmae Sears on May 4, 2021.

April 20, 2021 - Painting the Picture of Autism: Supporting Exceptionalities through the arts.

Painting the picture of autism: Supporting exceptionalities through the arts.

April 13, 2021 - Leveraging the Network

Leveraging the Network to Support Systemic Changes.

March 9, 2021 -  Facilitating Courageous Conversations with Antonia Robinson and Kristofer Newsome

Facilitating Courageous Conversations first PowerPoint presentation slide.

February 23, 2021 - Anti-Blackness and Racism with Dr. Elizabeth Hordge-Freeman and Yulander Wells

Enlightenment Workshop Series: Theme: Anti-Blackness and Racism. Tuesday, February 23, 2021. 12-1 pm. Microsoft Teams. Joinusforcourageousconversationsdesignedtofosteracultureof inclusiveexcellenceatTheUniversityofSouth91社区.Thefacilitators willprovideinsightsonanti-Blacknessinoursociety,discusshow anti-Blacknessrelatestosystemicracism,andusecollaborative activitiestodeveloppracticalstrategiesforidentifyinganddismantling anti-Blacknessandsystemicracismonourcampusandsociety.

February 9, 2021 -  Investing in Human Capital: Policies and Practices that Support the Recruitment, Retention and Sustainability of Diverse Employees with Angela Sklenka, Dr. Frank Pyrtle III and Darren Gambrell 

Facilitated by Dr. Frank Pyrtle III, Angela Sklenka, and Darren Gambrell. Headshots of all three with titles beneath.

January 19, 2021 -  Bias and Its Implications with Dr. Tangela Serls and Dr. Cheryl Rodriguez

Word cloud with 'bias' very large, header saying "A multi-layered concept."

November 10, 2020 - Diversity and Inclusion in Higher Education with Dr. Deirdre Cobb-Roberts and Michelle McNulty

Diversity & Inclusion in Higher Education

October 20, 2020 - Cultural Competence with Dr. Michelle Madden and Dr. Denise Davis-Cotton

Cultural Competence. Under the auspices of the USF Institute on Black Life USF Black Employee Steering Committee & USF Black Faculty & Staff Association. iBL and BFSA logos.

October 13, 2020 - Inclusive Excellence with Dr. Ruthmae Sears and Geveryl Robinson

Inclusive Excellence OCTOBER 13, 2020 FACILITATED BY DR. RUTHMAE SEARS & MS. GEVERYL ROBINSON FOR THE ENLIGHTENMENT WORKSHOP SERIES UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA OCTOBER 6, 2020

Meet the Black Employee Steering Committee Professional Development Team

White text on green background with USF palm in Apple on left. White USF logo on top of palm. Black Employee Steering Committee Professional Development Team. 9 members with headshot of each.