Enlightenment Workshop Series

The Enlightenment Workshop Series presents courageous conversations designed to foster a culture of inclusive excellence at the University of South Florida. Organized by the Black Employee Steering Committee with support from the Institute on Black Life and Black Faculty & Staff Association, these sessions began in 2020, and since the launch, over 1200 members of the USF community have registered to attend.

Under the coordination of Dr. Ruthmae Sears and Geveryl Robinson (co-chairs), the workshops focus on intersectional perspectives related to bias, cultural competence and systemic racism, with an emphasis on current trends facing Black communities across the African Diaspora.

Each lecture is free and open to the public and hosted online through Microsoft Teams. View the suggested reading list, organized by topic.


Upcoming Schedule of Topics and Facilitators

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 2022-2023 Schedule of Events
Date Topic Facilitators
September 20, 2022

Freedom of Speech vs Academic Freedom: The Cost of Self-Expression. 

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Kyaien Conner and Gerrard Solis

October 18, 2022

Equitable Workload and Expectations.

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Ruth Bahr and Jean Kabongo
November 15, 2022

Power and Privilege in Higher Education

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Clara Buie and Nicole Luckett
December 6, 2022

Looking through the Mirror and Window to Evaluate Effectiveness

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Kevin Jones and Ruthmae Sears
January 17, 2023

Model Minority Myth

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Walter Jennings, Kevin Lee, and Carlos Moreira
January 24, 2023 (Special Workshop)

Partnering in Solidarity against Anti-Semitism

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Michael Berson, Edward Kissi, Rabbi Pinny Backman , Deborah Bowen, and Ilene Berson
February 7, 2023

A Courageous Conversation about Justice, Education, and Solidarity for and within the Black Community

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Geveryl Robinson and Elizabeth Hordge-Freeman
February 21, 2023

Conceptualization, Commercialization, and Commodification of Ethnicity and Race

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Kelly Cowart and Elizabeth Hordge-Freeman
March 21, 2023

Embracing Culture in a Virtual Environment

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Denise Davis-Cotton, Marie Byrd, Ashley Reese, and Fanni Green
April 18, 2023

Being your Authentic Self: The Space between Discomfort and Belonging

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Jacob Di​az and Antonia Robinson
April 25, 2023 (Special Workshop)

Neurodiversity:  Designing Inclusive Learning Environments 

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Denise Barnes, Adriana Rojas, and Michael Furnari
May 9, 2023 (Special Workshop)

You Belong Here: Fostering a Sense of Belonging in Higher Education 

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Kristin Kosyluk, Kyonna Henry, Deborah McCarthy

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Under the auspices of the USF Institute on Black Life, USF Black Employee Steering Committee, and the USF Black Faculty and Staff Association.


Past Topics and Facilitators

April 18, 2023- Being Your Authentic Self: The Space Between Discomfort and Belonging

  • View the powerpoint here.
  • View the flyer here.
April 18, 2023- Being Your Authentic Self: The Space Between Discomfort and Belonging

March 21, 2023- Embracing Culture in a Virtual Environment

  • View the powerpoint here.
  • View the flyer here.
March Enlightenment Series: Embracing Culture in a Virtual Environment

February 21, 2023- Conceptualization, Commercialization, and Commodification of Ethnicity and Race

  • View the powerpoint here.
  • View the flyer here.
February Enlightenment Series: Conceptualization, Commercialization, and Commodification of Ethnicity and Race

January 17, 2023- Model Minority Myth

  • View the powerpoint here.
  • View the flyer here.
Alt Text

December 6, 2022- Looking through the Mirror and Window to
Evaluate Effectiveness 

Looking through the window and  mirror to evaluate effectiveness

November 15, 2022- Power and Privilege in Higher Education 

  • View the powerpoint here.
  • View the flyer here.
Power and Privilege in Higher Education 

October 18, 2022- Equitable Workload and Expectations 

October Enlightenment Series

September 20, 2022- Freedom of Speech vs Academic Freedom: The Cost of Self-Expression. 

September Enlightenment Series

April 19, 2022- A Blueprint to Inclusive Excellence; A Systemic Approach to Catalyze Change

  • View the powerpoint here.
  • View the flyer here.
Enlightenment Series April 2022

March 8, 2022- The Intersectionality of Gender, Race, and “Glass Ceilings" in Higher Education

March Powerpoint slide with title of discussion topic.

February 8, 2022 - From Protest to Progress: Combating Discrimination, Bias, and Oppressive Practices

  • View the powerpoint here.
  • View the flyer here.
February 8, 2022- Enlightenment Series Workshop: From Protest to Progress: Combating Discrimination, Bias, and Oppressive Practices

January 18, 2022 - From Bystander to Ally and Advocacy: Addressing Inequities in Higher Education

January 18, 2022- From Bystander to Ally and Advocacy: Addressing Inequities in Higher Education

December 14, 2021 - Waiting to Exhale: Maintaining a Work-Life Balance

December 14, 2021- Waiting to Exhale: Maintaining a Work-Life Balance

November 14, 2021 - The Gap That Divides: Becoming Bridge Builders to Promote Student Success

  • View the powerpoint here.
  • View the flyer here.
November 14, 2021- The Gap That Divides: Becoming Bridge Builders to Promote Student Success

October 12, 2021 - People Matter: The Economics of Equity

Enlightenment Workshop Series: People Matter: The Economics of Equity

September 14, 2021 - Leadership towards Equity and Inclusion: The Power of Action

Leadership toward equity and inclusion: the power of action.

June 18, 2021 - Endarkened Conversations on racism, power and politics.

Endarkened Conversation:  Racism, Power, and Politics. Presented by Dr. Dana Thompson Dorsey and Dr. Vonzell Agosto. “Under the auspices  of the USF Institute on Black Life, USF Black Employee Steering Committee, and the USF Black Faculty & Staff Association”

May 4, 2021 - The D.N.A of Microaggression

Dismantling the D.N.A of Microaggression in the Workplace, presented by Mr. Ackeem Salmon, Dr. Denise Davis-Cotton, and Dr. Ruthmae Sears on May 4, 2021.

April 20, 2021 - Painting the Picture of Autism: Supporting Exceptionalities through the arts.

Painting the picture of autism: Supporting exceptionalities through the arts.

April 13, 2021 - Leveraging the Network

Leveraging the Network to Support Systemic Changes.

March 9, 2021 -  Facilitating Courageous Conversations with Antonia Robinson and Kristofer Newsome

Facilitating Courageous Conversations first PowerPoint presentation slide.

February 23, 2021 - Anti-Blackness and Racism with Dr. Elizabeth Hordge-Freeman and Yulander Wells

Enlightenment Workshop Series: Theme: Anti-Blackness and Racism. Tuesday, February 23, 2021. 12-1 pm. Microsoft Teams. Joinusforcourageousconversationsdesignedtofosteracultureof inclusiveexcellenceatTheUniversityofSouthFlorida.Thefacilitators willprovideinsightsonanti-Blacknessinoursociety,discusshow anti-Blacknessrelatestosystemicracism,andusecollaborative activitiestodeveloppracticalstrategiesforidentifyinganddismantling anti-Blacknessandsystemicracismonourcampusandsociety.

February 9, 2021 -  Investing in Human Capital: Policies and Practices that Support the Recruitment, Retention and Sustainability of Diverse Employees with Angela Sklenka, Dr. Frank Pyrtle III and Darren Gambrell 

Facilitated by Dr. Frank Pyrtle III, Angela Sklenka, and Darren Gambrell. Headshots of all three with titles beneath.

January 19, 2021 -  Bias and Its Implications with Dr. Tangela Serls and Dr. Cheryl Rodriguez

Word cloud with 'bias' very large, header saying "A multi-layered concept."

November 10, 2020 - Diversity and Inclusion in Higher Education with Dr. Deirdre Cobb-Roberts and Michelle McNulty

Diversity & Inclusion in Higher Education

October 20, 2020 - Cultural Competence with Dr. Michelle Madden and Dr. Denise Davis-Cotton

Cultural Competence. Under the auspices of the  USF Institute on Black Life  USF Black Employee Steering Committee &  USF Black Faculty & Staff Association. iBL and BFSA logos.

October 13, 2020 - Inclusive Excellence with Dr. Ruthmae Sears and Geveryl Robinson

Inclusive Excellence OCTOBER 13, 2020 FACILITATED BY DR. RUTHMAE SEARS & MS. GEVERYL ROBINSON FOR THE ENLIGHTENMENT WORKSHOP SERIES UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA OCTOBER 6, 2020

Meet the Black Employee Steering Committee Professional Development Team

White text on green background with USF palm in Apple on left. White USF logo on top of palm. Black Employee Steering Committee Professional Development Team. 9 members with headshot of each.