In 2013 RPI presented an interdisciplinary series of events that featured educators, scholars, artists, and activists whose work stimulates critical intellectual engagement about issues of racial justice and educational reform, pushing the boundaries of civic and political consciousness with non-traditional voices and representation.

Who

This series was hosted by RPI and moderated by Dr. Dexter Gordon, in conversation with Dr. Thelma Jackson, Paul Rucket, Dr. Chiyuki Shannon and Walidah Imarisha. 

Mission

The series featured and connected the work of four visiting scholars through public presentations, class visits, workshops, and conversation sessions focused on the sub topics with presentations titled:

  • Education and Criminal Justice; Intersections
  • Multicultural and Intergenerational Perspectives on Education, Justice, and Communities of Invisibility
  • New Faces, New Voices: The Role of Youth in Educational Justice.

Each presentation provided a unique and different artistic expression aimed at raising awareness and community engagement around issues of diversity, representation, and social justice.

Goal

The structure for the RPI Chism Series was built on successful models which engage artists in work that responds to both the content of social justice issues and the community voices that reflect the diverse understanding and responses to these issues.
 

Series Panelists

African American Studies | Dexter Gordon, PhD
Former Professor of African American Studies and Communications
Former Director of the Race & Pedagogy Institute

Chism Scholar-in-Residence | Thelma Jackson, EdD
President, Foresight Consultants

Chism Artist-in-Residence | Paul Rucker

Chism Artist-in-Residence | Chiyuki Shannon, PhD
Owner, Access Change Technologies
Director, The Multicentric Institute

Chism Artist-in-Residence | Walidah Imarisha, MFA
Portland State University
Director of the Center for Black Studies
Assistant Professor in the Black Studies Department

To inquire about this series please contact the Race & Pedagogy Institute to get in touch with the creators.

Sessions of the American Voices: Invisibility, Art, and Educational Justice Series
  • February 25 | Education and Criminal Justice
  • March 26 | Intersections:  Multicultural and Intergenerational Perspectives on Education, Justice, and Communities of Invisibility
  • April 25 | New Faces, New Voices: The Role of Youth in Educational Justice