Barbara Earl Thomas: The Illuminated Body - Exhibition

February 17 – May 21, 2024  Barbara Earl Thomas’ most recent series of portraits weave an exquisite tapestry of light and color to depict individuals illuminated in moments of creativity. Invoking the history of portraiture, Thomas’ nine large-scale cut paper pieces celebrate great Black cultural icons such as August Wilson, Seth Parker Woods, and Charles Johnson, alongside Thomas’ friends, family, and acquaintances. Set in contexts ranging from public performance to the quiet of daydreaming, they honor the creative spark in all its manifestations. Thomas describes her subjects with nuance and care, encouraging extended viewing of these vibrant and layered portraits. The portraits are presented with The Transformation Room, a luminous installation created from light and intricately cut Tyvek, which offers a moment of respite for reflection and inspiration.

Lecture Series: Jews and the University: Antisemitism, Admissions, Academic Freedom

January 23 - March 14, 2024  The integration of Jews into the university is one of the great success stories of modern American culture and Jewish life. But recent events at Penn and at other campuses have led to accusations that the university has been too tolerant of antisemitism and become less welcoming to Jews. This free lecture series is an effort to share insights from history, sociology, education studies, and other fields that can help put the present moment into context.

The series kicks off with Dara Horn's in-person appearance at Penn Hillel on January 23, and continues with online talks through February and March.

Against the Grain Spring Speaker Series: Histories of Immigration Exclusion and Asian American Racializations by Debanuj DasGupta, Assistant Professor of Feminist Studies at University of California Santa Barbara

Online |

Against the Grain Spring Speaker Series presents "Histories of Immigration Exclusion and Asian American Racializations" by Debanuj DasGupta, Assistant Professor of Feminist Studies at UCSB.

Asian America Across the Disciplines Series in conversation with Lan Dinh and Duong Ly, members of VietLead.

Online |

Asian America Across the Disciplines Spring Series 2021 presents Second Generation Asian Americans; Vietnamese Americans in conversation with Lan Dinh and Duong Ly, members of VietLead.

VietLead is a grassroots community organization in Philadelphia and South Jersey that is creating a vision and strategy for community self-determination, social justice, and cultural resilience. We are staffed and led by community members with collectively over 25 years serving our community and are committed to working from love and solidarity. Our community programs include intergenerational farming, youth organizing, health navigation & healing, civic engagement and community defense. We do this through a Heal.Resist.Grow. framework that focuses a pathway to healing trauma in our communities, contesting for power to make systemic change, policy advocacy/campaign, and growing community-based solutions.

Hosted by ASAM and ASAM 104-401Asian American Communities.

12@12 Talk - Many Voices, Many Visions Exhibition

Online event |

Join Heather Moqtaderi, Assistant Director / Curator for a discussion on the Many Voices, Many Visions exhibition Many Voices, Many Visions in 12-minutes flat!

Racism and Anti-Racism in Contemporary America: The Education System

Online |

PRESCHOOL, ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, AND HIGH SCHOOL

Panelists: Vivian Gadsden, William T. Carter Professor of Child Development and Education, University of Pennsylvania, Janel George, Senior Policy Advisor, The Learning Policy Institute, Leah Gillion, Postdoctoral Fellow, School of Education, University of Pennsylvania, Jessie Harper, Assistant Dean, Faculty Affairs and Diversity, School of Education, University of Pennsylvania

2021 Global Genomics and Health Equity Virtual Symposium

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The 2021 Global Genomics and Health Equity Virtual Symposium provides a forum that brings into focus the importance and challenges of increasing ethnic diversity in human genomics research. Highlights of the symposium include bringing together key players in human genetics with expertise working in ethnically diverse populations. This year’s two-day event is sponsored by the Penn Center for Global Genomics & Health Equity and the Department of Genetics at Penn.

Day 1: February 24, 2021 (12:00 - 4:00PM US Eastern Time)
Theme: Importance and Value of Increasing Ethnic Diversity in Human Genomics Research

Day 2: February 25, 2021 (12:00 - 4:00PM US Eastern Time)
Theme: Challenges with Conducting Genomic Studies in Minority Populations

Workshop/Training: What is Mental Health? Redefining Asian Un/Wellness at Penn

Online |

What do we actually mean when we say "mental health"? What does mental wellness--and unwellness--look and feel like here at Penn? And how do we identify and address our mental health needs? Join Dr. Mimi Khúc (Georgetown University) for an interactive discussion on redefining mental health through the lens of our experiences here at Penn, especially right now during the COVID-19 pandemic. Together, we will identify forces that shape mental health for our various communities at Penn, and for Asian Americans in particular, and begin brainstorming how to collectively build towards the kinds of mental health we want and need.

Racism and Anti-Racism in Contemporary America: The Criminal Justice System

Online |

POLICING AND PUBLIC SAFETY

Panelists: Monica Bell, Associate Professor of Law and Sociology, Yale University, Rashawn Ray, Professor of Sociology and Executive Director of the Lab for Applied Social Science Research, University of Maryland, David Rudovsky, Senior Fellow, Law School, University of Pennsylvania, Vesla Weaver, Bloomberg Distinguished Associate Professor of Political Science and Sociology, Johns Hopkins

PENN VET MEDICINE CELEBRATING - BLACK HISTORY MONTH

Online |

Our Past, Our Present, Our Future

Guest speaker: Dr. Kathryn Waddell Takara, daughter of Dr. William Waddell (V’35), pioneer in African American veterinary medicine practice in the U.S.

Erica Hunt - Kelly Writers House Fellow Visits

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The 22nd year of Kelly Writers House Fellows will feature poet/activist Erica Hunt. During the visit a reading will take place on Monday at 6:30 PM. On Tuesday at 10 AM the Writers House will host a brunch followed by a one-hour interview/conversation; attendance for both programs is by rsvp only.

Asian America Across the Disciplines Series in conversation with Sarun Chan, Exec Director, Cambodian Association of Greater Philadelphia

Online |

Asian America Across the Disciplines Series Spring 2021 presents Traditions; Fieldwork; Tibetan Americans Community; Cambodian American Community in conversation with Sarun Chan, Exec Director, Cambodian Association of Greater Philadelphia.

Sarun Chan is the Executive Director at the Cambodian Association of Greater Philadelphia. Sarun was born in a refugee camp in Thailand during the aftermath of the Cambodian genocide led by the Pol Pot and the Khmer Rouge regime. Raised in low-income neighborhoods throughout South Philadelphia, Sarun has an innate reflective nature on the american, immigrant, and refugee experience. He has worked in various community based organizations where he coordinated direct social services, program development, and advocacy on various social issues and disparities including education, health, and community development. From witnessing, experiencing, and living his life in poverty stricken neighborhoods, it has inspired him to further his life’s work to help bring visibility to the under-represented and bridge resource gaps to improve the quality of life for the underserved. Serving diverse communities have enriched Sarun's spirit as an individual and he continues to grow and translate these experiences to better make an impact in our homes, community, and environment.

Hosted by Dr. Fariha Khan, ASAM Associate Director in ASAM 104-401Asian American Communities.