Day of Dialogue Returns in the Fall
The sixth iteration of the event will be held on Oct. 22, 2024.
Saint Joseph’s University’s Day of Dialogue, which focuses on conversations around diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging, will host sessions in the fall this academic year.
Since 2020, the spring headliner has been calling on community members to own their role in making the University more inclusive. After five successful events, the Day of Dialogue will move to the fall semester in an effort to bring the community together in meaningful learning and dialogue at the start of the academic year.
"Part of the benefit of it being in the fall is that it's a great way for first-year students to understand the University's mission and really get to know our diverse community and the resources we provide," says Janeé Burkhalter, PhD, professor of marketing, and former associate provost for diversity, equity and inclusion, who has served as Day of Dialogue co-chair since the inaugural event.
This fall’s daylong event will be led by co-chairs Dick Wisenbaker, MBA '22, director of enterprise product portfolio management; Jill Welsh, MSW, director of the Faith-Justice Institute;Jennifer Hasse, MLIS, head of access services and student experience; and James Duffy, BS '09, MS '24, SHRM-CP, director of employee relations and engagement. A team of 30 student, faculty, and staff committee members representing all three campus locations are working with the co-chairs to create this event featuring two keynote speakers and highlighting important topics, such as diversity in the workplace in regards to race, culture, accessibility and disability.
Braheim Knight, R. Ph, BS '99, MBA, the morning keynote and alumnus of Philadelphia College of Pharmacy, will discuss how cultural humility is a key practice in earning trust and building community across various fields and organizations. Knight is passionate about increasing underrepresented groups in the pharmaceutical sector and advocates for diversity and inclusion in healthcare and the public sector.
Natasha Lee, the evening keynote speaker, is a Malaysian-Chinese filmmaker, who was included in SHOOT Magazine’s 19th Annual New Directors Showcase for “In the Visible.” From personally experiencing having to split her childhood between Malaysia and California, cultural storytelling is the focal point of her work. Her films aim to focus on the idea that no matter where we go or where we’re from, an unbreakable human connection links us together.
Attendees can join the evening film sessions, sponsored by Saint Joseph's Nealis Program in Asian Studies, centered on race and stereotypes with a screening of Lee’s film, “In the Visible.” The short documentary focuses on dismantling Asian American stereotypes and the “model minority” myth through storytelling in the words of the community members themselves.
Registration is required and will be open the first week of October. Day of Dialogue is a free event open to all SJU community members and alumni.
To learn more, visit sju.edu/dei/engage/day-of-dialogue.
