Diversity Summer Series Launches Friday with Angela Davis interview

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Tulane Law has announced its Diversity Dialogue Summer Series, one of the initiatives to continue the discussions on race and racism as part of the Distancing Together programming.  

The series is an online forum, occasionally using books and films as discussion references, to provide robust opportunities for engagement on topics on race and social justice for students, faculty, staff and practitioners.

The series program starts Friday, June 19 (Juneteenth). At 7-8 p.m. join alumna and Drexel Law Prof. Wendy Greene (L ’02) (#FreetheHair) who will interview the legendary Angela Davis as she receives the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute's Fred Shuttlesworth Human Rights Award. Register for this free event here. 

Earlier in the day, at noon, a full discussion on the meaning of Juneteeth will be held. Titled Juneteenth: Freedom Work Still to Do it commemorates the day that enslaved persons in Galveston, Texas, were notified about the Emancipation Proclamation -- almost two and a half years after it was issued. They walked away from bondage in what is known as the "Second Independence Day." This day has been celebrated for years since, and is recognized as a holiday in 47 of the 50 states. This webinar will feature speakers who will discuss the historical significance and the day's connection to racial inequities that we are witnessing in society today. They will discuss the potential of law and public policy to help Black people realize true freedom in this society. Register for this free event here.

Other series events are (links are forthcoming):

  • Tuesday, June 23, 6:30 pm:  A discussion of "Just Mercy" by Bryan Stevenson with Innocence Project New Orleans Attorney Kirschelle McGowan, Sr. Administrative Program Coordinator for Student Life & Diversity Initiatives Morgan Jackson, and Assistant Dean for Career Development and Diversity Initiatives Lezlie Griffin.  The discussion will be based on the movie which you can currently rent for free on any steaming platform, including YouTube.
  • Wednesday, July 1, noon: A discussion of “White Fragility” by Robin DiAngelo with Equity Trainer Amy Burtaine and Assistant Dean of Students Abby Gaunt.
  • Wednesday, July 8, noon:  “How to Be an Ally,” an informative presentation by Ogletree Deakins Chief Diversity Officer and TLS Alumna Michelle Wimes (L ’94) and Ogletree’s Senior Diversity Manager Rebecca Baumgartner.
  • Wednesday, July 15, noon:  A discussion of Becoming by Michelle Obama with Alanah Odoms Hebert, Executive Director of ACLU Louisiana, and Tulan Law Professors Kristin Johnson and Tonya Jupiter, and Dean Griffin.
  • Wednesday, July 22, noon:  “Lawyering for Social Change.”  Join a panel of Tulane Law School alumni to learn how you can work to bring about social change.
  • Wednesday, July 29, noon:  A discussion of The Color of Law by Richard Rothstein with TLS Alumna Cashauna Hill (L ’05), Executive Director of the Louisiana Fair Housing Action Center, Tulane Law Professor Robert Westley, and Dean Lezlie Griffin.

The summer series will conclude in August (dates and times TBD) with mandatory trainings on Implicit Bias for all students, in addition to the mandatory bias training that all incoming 1Ls already receive as part of the law school’s orientation program.  In the fall, the law school will continue to expand the diversity discussions.