This two-day event will bring together students, staff, faculty and leadership from academic institutions across the country to share their unique perspectives on the current barriers facing Black scholars in STEM fields with the goal of inspiring and challenging participants to take action to address racial inequity in STEM.

Participating institutions include the University of Washington, University of Chicago, Georgia Tech, the University of Texas at Austin, and Boston University.

PROGRAM

Tuesday, July 14

Day 1 will consist of three panel discussions through which staff, students, and faculty will share their experiences as Black scholars and professionals in STEM.

Subjects of Racial & Academic Hierarchies: Staff Perspectives on Diversity of STEM
9:00 – 10:30 AM PDT

Rovana Popoff, Senior Associate Dean & Acting Dean of Students, Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering, University of Chicago (Moderator)
Felicia Benton-Johnson, Assistant Dean and Director of Georgia Tech’s Center for Engineering Education and Diversity, Georgia Tech
Monica Hall-Porter, Development Coordinator, College of Natural Sciences, University of Texas at Austin
Emile Pitre, Senior Advisor to the Vice President, Office of Minority Affairs & Diversity, University of Washington 
Tobias Spears, Director of Diversity Initiatives, University of Chicago
Teri Ward, Director, Health Sciences Center Minority Students Program, University of Washington

Empowering Students
10:45 AM – 12:15 PM PDT

Simone Douglas, Graduate Student, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Tech (Moderator)
Alshakim Nelson, Assistant Professor of Chemistry, University of Washington (Moderator)
Fabrice Bernhard, Graduate Student, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Tech 
Nettie Brown, Graduate Student, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Tech
Brittney Cassaidy, Graduate Student, Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering, University of Chicago
Jordan Drew, Graduate Student, Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering, University of Washington
Tam’ra-Kay Francis, Research Associate, Department of Chemistry, University of Washington
Susan Okrah, Graduate Student, Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering, University of Chicago
Alexis Pulliam, Graduate Student, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Tech 
Clinton Smith, Undergraduate Student, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Tech

Faculty Raw & Live
12:30 – 2:00 PM PDT

Manu Platt, Associate Professor of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Tech (Moderator)
Raheem Beyah, Professor of Electrical & Computer Engineering, Georgia Tech
Ed Botchwey, Associate Professor of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Tech
Tequila Harris, Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Tech
Karmella Haynes, Assistant Professor of Biomedical Engineering, Emory University
Alshakim Nelson, Assistant Professor of Chemistry, University of Washington
Tyrone Porter, Professor of Biomedical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin

Wednesday, July 15

On Day 2, Deans from each institution’s College of Engineering will discuss ways in which colleges might take action to make real change. Following this final panel, all panelists will participate in a more open-ended Q&A discussion on ending racism in academia.

Let’s Get Real: A Discussion with the Deans
11:00 AM – 12:30 PM PDT

Ruha Benjamin, Associate Professor of African American Studies, Princeton University (Moderator)
Tyrone Porter, Professor of Biomedical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin (Moderator)
Nancy Allbritton, Dean, College of Engineering, University of Washington
Kenneth Lutchen, Dean, College of Engineering, Boston University
Steve McLaughlin, Dean, College of Engineering, Georgia Tech
Emile Pitre, Senior Advisor to the Vice President, Office of Minority Affairs & Diversity, University of Washington 
Matt Tirrell, Dean, Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering, University of Chicago
Sharon Wood, Dean, Cockrell School of Engineering, University of Texas at Austin

Where Do We Go From Here: Disruptive Actions to Abolish Anti-Black Racism in STEM
12:30 – 2:00 PM PDT

Jennifer Singh, Associate Professor in the School of History and Sociology, Georgia Tech (Moderator)
Ruha Benjamin, Associate Professor of African American Studies, Princeton University
Simone Douglas, Graduate Student, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Tech
Alshakim Nelson, Assistant Professor of Chemistry, University of Washington
Manu Platt, Associate Professor of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Tech
Rovana Popoff, Senior Associate Dean & Acting Dean of Students, Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering, University of Chicago
Tyrone Porter, Professor of Biomedical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin