A sequel to our spring graduate symposium, Working Theories seeks to continue our inquiry into the “where” of Black futurity with the questions: What theories might we put to work toward future places of Black existence? What restorative ecological practices might we excavate from the past or elevate from the present that will better support Black life and living in times and places yet to come? Where, we ask, will Black futures take place? Our speakers– to include both emergent and established thought and community leaders– will explore visionary theories for Black placemaking and share their work as practitioners on the ground. The symposium will take place on the campus of Georgetown University. See below for the schedule of events and featured speakers. The event will be wheelchair accessible. Questions? Contact us at sawyerseminar@georgetown.edu.
Thursday Oct.10
Check-In: 4-4:20 PM
Opening Remarks: 4:30 PM
Dr. Amani Morrison
Opening Plenary with the Department of Black Studies: 4:45-6:00 PM
Drs. Soyica Diggs Colbert, Rosemary Ndubuizu,
LaMonda Horton-Stallings
Panel 1:
Futures for Then, Futures for Now: 6-7 PM
Dr. Celeste Winston,
On Fugitivity and Marronage: Grounding Metaphors for Black Abolitionist Futures
Dr. Olúfẹ́mi Táíwò, Distributive Justice and Reconsidering Reparations
Opening Reception: 7-8 PM
Friday Oct.11
Coffee, Pastries & Check-In: 9:15-9:45 AM
Panel 2:
From Claiming to Reclamation: Power and Place: 10:00—11:40 AM
Moderator: Dr. Crystal S. Rudds
Empower DC:
Corey Shaw, Jr. &
Dr. Sabiyha Prince,
Barry Farm: From 74 Years of Landownership to Public Housing Project
Dr. Kwame Edwin Otu, Civilization as Extraction: Salvage Anthropology, the Berlin Conference, the Reterritorialization of Africa’s Ecological Futures
Dr. LaToya Eaves,
Black Women’s Reclamation Power at the End of the World
Lunch: 11:45—12:30 PM
Slow Pour with Adjourn Teahouse: 12:30—1:30 PM
Panel 3:
Black Ecologies, Black Futures: 1:30—3:00 PM
Moderator: Dr. Kelsey Alejandra Moore
Dr. Danielle Purifoy,
The Black [After]life of the Forest
Dr. J.T. Roane,
Transforming Mississippi America: June Jordan and the Question of Landed Futures
Dr. Joy Priest
The Black Outside: How Black Ecology Leads Us Out of Western Enclosure
Closing Remarks: 3:00 PM