Marywood Among Those Collaborating with MLK Commission for Series on Racism

Marywood University is among the collaborating partners with the Greater Scranton Martin Luther King (MLK) Commission for a series titled, “Talking About Racism: A Community Conversation,” on Thursday evenings from 5:30 – 6:30 p.m., throughout the month of October. Other collaborating partners include: Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine, Johnson College, Lackawanna College, Penn State Scranton, and The University of Scranton.

Nationwide, protests in the wake of the killings of George Floyd and other Black people have brought renewed attention to longstanding issues of racism and social justice. Talking about race can be difficult, but with curiosity, knowledge, and empathy, it’s possible to come together as a community to listen, learn, and work for change.

Presentations along with Q&A sessions to be held include:

• October 1, 2020 – Cathy Ann Hardaway, president of the Greater Scranton MLK Commission, will moderate as Arthur Breese, director of Diversity at Geisinger; and Teresa Grettano, Ph.D., association professor of English/Theatre at The University of Scranton present, “Defining and Identifying Racism.”
• October 8, 2020 – Ida Castor, J.D., MLK Commission, GCSOM, will moderate as Leon John, Ph.D., director of alumni engagement at East Stroudsburg University; and Jessica Nolan, Ph.D., professor of psychology at the University of Scranton present, “Understanding White Privilege and Allyship.”
• October 15, 2020 – Lia Richards Palmiter, Ph.D., MLK Commission, Marywood University, will moderate as Glynis Johns, founder and chief executive officer for the Black Scranton Project; and Yerodin Lucas, Ph.D. interim director of the Office of Equity and Inclusion and Title IX coordinator at Marywood University present, “Discussing Black Lives Matter.”

Those interested in attending must RSVP by contacting community@scranton.edu or by visiting scranton.edu/talkingaboutracism to receive the ZOOM information for the presentations.