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 the workshops focus on intersectional perspectives related to bias, cultural competence and 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
| Date | Topic | Facilitators |
|---|---|---|
|
March 11, 2025 |
Food sovereignty: Conceptualizing policies and systems that impact food production, distribution, and consumption within the community |
Dr. Maya Trotz, Dr. Joseph Dorsey, BlueGAP, and Dr. William Schanbacher |
|
April 15, 2025 |
Be an agent of change: Act locally, think globally |
Dr. Karin Braunsberger,Dr. LaSonya Moore, Dr. Michelle Hughes Miller, and Dr. Antoinette Jackson |
|
May 13, 2025 |
Take a break and rejuvenate: The importance of allocating time for wellness and well-being |
Dr. Asia Wright, and Dr. Monica Miranda |
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
February 11, 2025 - From Black Codes to discovery freedom in poetry and visual arts: An historical context and lived experience
January 21, 2025 - A vision for growth: Developing the workforce via mentorship, leadership, and development opportunities
December 10, 2024 - We are one, yet we are many: Embracing our differences to advance ONE USF!
November 12, 2024 - An attitude of gratitude: The importance of acknowledging individuals for their contribution and service to higher education
October 15, 2024 - Silence(d): Implications for democracy and responsibility in amplifying voices
September 4, 2024 - General Education Content, Policies, and Skills: What is it and why does it matter?
April 9, 2024- It’s getting hot in here: Addressing Climate Change via Education, Research, and the Arts.
March 5, 2024- Mentorship: Providing Support, Development, and Advancement
February 13, 2024- Black History Month: Learning from the Past, Living in the Present, Looking towards the Future.
January 16, 2024- Systematic Approach to Support Strategic Growth and ONE USF: Reflecting on Theories of Change
December 12, 2023- Mental Health: Supporting Healing, Hope, and Social and Emotional Growth
November 14, 2023- Thank you for listening to me: Voices from students describing factors influencing Students’ Success and Resiliency
October 10, 2023-Me and My Money: Budget Model, Pay Equity, and Financial Well-Being
September 12, 2023- Laws and Policies Impacting Education: Implications on a Just and Inclusive Learning Environment
April 18, 2023- Being Your Authentic Self: The Space Between Discomfort and Belonging
March 21, 2023- Embracing Culture in a Virtual Environment
February 21, 2023- Conceptualization, Commercialization, and Commodification of Ethnicity and Race
December 6, 2022- Looking through the Mirror and Window to
Evaluate Effectiveness
November 15, 2022- Power and Privilege in Higher Education
October 18, 2022- Equitable Workload and Expectations
September 20, 2022- Freedom of Speech vs Academic Freedom: The Cost of Self-Expression.
April 19, 2022- A Blueprint to Inclusive Excellence; A Systemic Approach to Catalyze Change
March 8, 2022- The Intersectionality of Gender, Race, and “Glass Ceilings" in Higher Education
February 8, 2022 - From Protest to Progress: Combating Discrimination, Bias, and Oppressive Practices
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
November 14, 2021 - The Gap That Divides: Becoming Bridge Builders to Promote Student Success
October 12, 2021 - People Matter: The Economics of Equity
September 14, 2021 - Leadership towards Equity and Inclusion: The Power of Action
June 18, 2021 - Endarkened Conversations on racism, power and politics.
May 4, 2021 - The D.N.A of Microaggression
April 20, 2021 - Painting the Picture of Autism: Supporting Exceptionalities through the arts.
April 13, 2021 - Leveraging the Network
March 9, 2021 - Facilitating Courageous Conversations with Antonia Robinson and Kristofer Newsome
February 23, 2021 - Anti-Blackness and Racism with Dr. Elizabeth Hordge-Freeman and Yulander Wells
- Download the PowerPoint presentation.
- View the flyer.
- View speaker bios: Dr. Hordge-Freeman, Yulander Wells
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
- Download the PowerPoint presentation.
- Download the resource sheet.
- View the flyer.
- View speaker bios: Darren Gambrell
January 19, 2021 - Bias and Its Implications with Dr. Tangela Serls and Dr. Cheryl Rodriguez
- Download the PowerPoint presentation.
- View speaker bios: Dr. Serls, Dr. Rodriguez
November 10, 2020 - Diversity and Inclusion in Higher Education with Dr. Deirdre Cobb-Roberts and Michelle McNulty
- Download the PowerPoint presentation.
- View speaker bio: Dr. Cobb-Roberts, Michelle McNulty
October 20, 2020 - Cultural Competence with Dr. Michelle Madden and Dr. Denise Davis-Cotton
- Download the PowerPoint presentation.
- View speaker bios: Dr. Madden, Dr. Davis-Cotton
October 13, 2020 - Inclusive Excellence with Dr. Ruthmae Sears and Geveryl Robinson
- Download the PowerPoint presentation.
- View speaker bios: Dr. Sears, Geveryl Robinson
Meet the Black Employee Steering Committee Professional Development Team
- Dr. Ruthmae Sears (chair)
- Dr. Marie Byrd (assistant)
- Dr. Fenda Akiwumi
- Anthea Henderson
- Dr. Elizabeth Hordge-Freeman
- Dr. Jean Kabongo
- Kristofer Newsome
- Antonia Robinson
- Geveryl Robinson