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iSchool in Color began as a 2016-2017 initiative by the iSchool Diversity Committee led by Kathryn La Barre, Victor Jones, Ariel Gonzalez, Cass Mabbott and Diana Stroud. The idea was to foster a greater sense of community. Black History Month (February) and Women’s History Month (March) were the focus of a series of successful events.

For 2017-2018 we focused on one weekend-long event: an INDABA. This is a Zulu word for a gathering that deliberates. The topic was Conquering Ending Racism. This is on us, in a school and profession that is upwards of 85% white, in a country experiencing an upsurge in racial and ethnic violence. We seek solutions. Successful alumni of color are front and center this weekend, in dialogue with faculty, staff, and students. Check out the schedule and watch the recordings of the sessions. (Attendance was free, people registered to help with ordering food.) Read the opening remarks from the diversity community chair.  Help yourself to resources on creating culturally sustaining pedagogy. Learn more from the ischool newsbrief and the Daily Illini.  We shared instructions on how to avoid the Illinois Marathon that Saturday morning. The university’s Center for Innovation in Teaching and Learning arranged the teleconferencing and did the videorecording.

Thanks to all who joined us!

Associate Professor Kate Williams, katewill@illinois.edu
2017-2018 Diversity Committee chair and Indaba co-chair

Assistant Professor Nicole A. Cooke, nacooke@illinois.edu
University of Illinois PITA Grant Awardee and Indaba co-chair