Posted: July 9, 2019Written by: Ritchie Bermudez

SAN LUIS OBISPO – Cuesta College is hosting a community forum entitled “A Conversation with Dr. Ali Michael: A White Woman’s Story about Understanding Race and Building Healthy Multiracial Communities.” The free event invites people of all racial backgrounds and will be held on August 8, 2019, from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. in the Harold J. Miossi Cultural and Performing Arts Center located on the San Luis Obispo campus.

“We are living in a time of great opportunity to commit to building educational institutions and communities that are more accessible, inclusive, and equitable,” said Que Dang, Director of Student Equity and Success Centers. “Cuesta College believes that through collaborations with colleges/universities, K-12 schools, and community leaders, together, we can promote diversity and address the needs of all San Luis Obispo County residents. As part of our on-going commitment to equity and social justice, we hope you join Cuesta College in working together to fostering an inclusive community for all students, staff, faculty, and residents.” 

Dr. Michael will discuss how to cultivate a more inclusive San Luis Obispo County by highlighting how White people can take action as neighbors, colleagues, and allies. She is the author of publications that help people talk about race honestly and effectively, building skills and competencies to understand and challenge racism. According to Dr. Michael, conversations about race can be confusing, contentious, and frightening, particularly for White people. Even just asking questions about race can be scary, because we are afraid of what our questions might reveal about our ignorance or bias.

In a non-judgmental, supportive setting, participants will:
·       Build confidence in their ability to recognize and address racial micro-aggressions
·       Increase their understanding of how racism functions and what their role in it is
·       Develop strategies for interrupting racist situations
·       Increase their ability to support other people doing racial justice work
·       Develop a personal vision for racial justice in schools, institutions, and neighborhoods

About the presenter:
Dr. Ali Michael is the co-founder and director of the Race Institute for K-12 Educators and the author of Raising Race Questions and Everyday White People Confront Racial & Social Injustice, winner of the 2017 Society of Professors of Education Outstanding Book Award. She is co-editor of the bestselling Everyday White People Confront Racial and Social Injustice: 15 Stories and Guide for White Women Who Teach Black Boys. She also sits on the editorial board of the journal Whiteness and Education. Dr. Michael teaches in the Diversity and Inclusion Program at Princeton University as well as the Equity Institutes with USC. She may be best known for her 2016 article “What Do We Tell the Children?” on the Huffington Post, where she is a regular contributor.

The event is open to the public and free, sponsored by Cuesta College Student Equity, San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce, and SLO U40.

Attendees may register at buildingahealthymultiracialcommunity.eventbrite.com. For additional questions, please call 805-546-3100 ext. 2323.