Sept. 21: Spelman Joins a Regional Global Research and Education Collaborative

Spelman Joins a Regional Global Research and Education Collaborative

Spelman College is part of a new research and education collaboration designed to support global learning initiatives in the region.

The Atlanta Global Research and Education Collaborative will help connect the region's international assets through an emphasis on supporting "global at home" projects that serve students, faculty and community partners, and define the metropolitan area as a hub for global education and research.

"Spelman College is pleased to be a part of AGREC," said 'Dimeji R. Togunde, Ph.D., vice provost for global education and professor of international studies. "This collaborative provides additional resources for Spelman faculty to study global issues at the local level through programmatic, curricular, and research activities, while tapping into the richness of multiple organizations, a myriad of cultural activities, and the growing ethnic diversity of the Atlanta metropolitan area."

A key goal of the collaboration is to build and strengthen collaborative networks of multi-institutional scholars and practitioners to support global research and education initiatives in the region.

The collaboration will initially include Spelman’s Gordon Zeto Center for Global Education, the Atlanta Global Studies Center of Georgia Tech and Georgia State University; the Office of Global Strategy and Initiatives, Emory University; and the SUMMIT Center for Global Learning and Leadership Development, Agnes Scott College.

Jonathan Logan Family Foundation Gift to Support Documentary Filmmaking and Photography Students

A new grant from the Jonathan Logan Family Foundation, which supports advancing social justice, will allow Spelman to purchase and send equipment to documentary filmmaking and photography majors, who are currently completing their studies virtually.

"The generous support by the Jonathan Logan Family Foundation will allow students to produce the work that fills their imaginations and advances conversations about art, culture and social justice," said Ayoka Chenzira, Ph.D., division chair for the arts and chair of the Department of Art and Visual Culture. "The foundation has a long history of supporting this kind of work, and it is an honor to be the first HBCU to receive a grant. We could not have asked for a better partner."

Students who major or minor in documentary filmmaking and photography currently share equipment. Funding will assist learners during the upcoming academic year and beyond by equipping them with camera packages for assignments and thesis completion.

AUCC Student Leaders to Discuss the Importance of Voting During a Virtual Panel Discussion

Nia Dumas, C’2022, is making the presidential election and voting awareness areas of focus of her platform as director of leadership and civic engagement of Spelman’s Student Government Association.

"Voting has always been at the forefront of all democracies," she said. "Now is no different. Now is the time for us to rally around our community and encourage everyone to remember why we vote and why it is so important to uphold democratic values."

On Thursday, Sept. 24, at 5 p.m., Dumas will join other Atlanta University Center Consortium leaders for "Voting Matters: The Significance & Process of Casting Your Vote."

Co-sponsored by the AUCC and WABE, the event will feature student leaders from each consortium campus, who will share their personal opinions and experiences with voting and provide important information about registering to vote in their state.

"Along with voting comes voting challenges, like voter suppression; however, we can't let those who wish to suppress our vote discourage us from voting," Dumas said. "We all need to make a voting plan to ensure our votes will be recorded in November. Go vote!"

The event will be broadcast on Facebook Live. To register, visit here.

In addition, SGA President Fana HaileSelassie, C'2021, appeared on News One’s "HBCUs Fit Into The Black Vote," and NPR’s podcast On Point to discuss topics related to the upcoming election and experience as a college student in these uncertain times.

To familiarize yourself with important upcoming election dates, including deadlines to register to vote and more, visit USA Vote Foundation, and the Emerson Collective’s 10 Simple Steps to Vote.

Rutgers University Professor to Discuss Art in the Age of Mass Incarceration

The Atlanta University Center Art History + Curatorial Studies program will host "Marking Time: Art In the Age of Mass Incarceration," its first Distinguished Lecture of the new academic year.

Nicole Fleetwood, Ph.D., a writer, curator, and professor of American Studies and Art History at Rutgers University, New Brunswick, will discuss how her new book responds to some of the pressing topics of our times: art making, humanity and social activism.

The event will take place Wednesday, Sept. 23, at 6:30 p.m. EST via Zoom.

Dr. Fleetwood’s presentation will be followed by a conversation with Kate Fowle, director, MoMA PS1, moderated by Cheryl Finley, Ph.D., director, Atlanta University Center Art History + Curatorial Studies Collective.

Alumna Chosen to Oversee Social Justice Initiatives at National Urban League

Jerika Richardson, C’2004, was chosen to lead the National Urban League’s work in the area of police reform, criminal justice reform and related areas.

Richardson assumed the role of senior vice president, equitable justice and strategic initiatives on Sept. 15.

In her new role, Robinson will be responsible for developing the organization’s strategies, advocacy and public education in the social justice.

Prior to the NUL, Richardson was senior advisor and secretary to the New York City Civilian Complaint Review Board, the nation’s largest, independent police oversight agency, where she oversaw their policy and advocacy, outreach and intergovernmental affairs, communications and case management units.