A black led community discussion on Blax-sasperation. That feeling in the black experience when all exasperation is exhausted through the clips of Spike Lee. It’s “sick and tired, of being sick and tired” – tired.
We’ll be discussing the state of the nation and how black folks can endure blax-sasperation as we wrap up 2020. Without a lens other than our own, we’ll take a look at what’s next, and what is our path to opportunity, power and self reliance. Featuring the films of Spike Lee.
Moderators:
Aja Washington is a black feminist, social worker, and activist who grew up in Southern California. She is a community co-host on KRCL’s Thursday night show, Changing the Narrative, is a founding member of Black Lives Matter Salt Lake City and works on various activism projects in Salt Lake City.
Billy Palmer is Co-Host and Associate Producer of RadioACTive, a community affairs show that highlights grassroots activists and community builders weeknights at 6 p.m. on Salt Lake City-based 90.9fm KRCL. For more than 20 years, Billy has been a community organizer and advocate for youth empowerment, civil rights, neighborhood reinvestment and DV/SA survivors.
Panelists:
Meligha Garfield is the inaugural director for the Black Cultural Center (BCC) at the University of Utah—a center that works to holistically enrich, educate, and advocate for students, faculty, staff and the broader community through Black centered programming, culturally affirming educational initiatives, and retention strategies. Hailing from Rochester, New York, Garfield holds a B.A. in Government, with a minor in colonial Latin American history and Africana studies and a Master of Public Administration from New Mexico State University (NMSU) where he was previously the Programs Coordinator for the Black Programs Department. He has implemented outreach and retention services, served as coordinator and advisor in Black programs, and managed numerous departmental programming and events while at NMSU – many of which he hopes to start at the U. He is also a proud member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Incorporated.
Dr. LaShawn C Williams, LCSW is an Assistant Professor in the Social Work program at Utah Valley University. Her research is centered in race, parenting, and faith from the lens of Relational Cultural Theory. She is frequently requested locally, regionally, and nationally to speak on issues of anti-racism and religion and has co-founded multiple professional and cultural spaces working for the uplift and nurturing of Black communities such as The Black Clinicians and The Black LDS Legacy group. She owns Relational Spaces in Orem, Utah where she works as a therapist, educator & consultant to create change across difference where connection matters most.
Russell Roots is the User Experience Manager with Utah Film Center and manages diverse community engagement groups while building support, capacity, and awareness of Utah Film Center’s curated film, media education, development events, and fundraisers. He has a background in journalism, radio, media literacy, and has participated on the boards of other arts organizations. Russell had the pleasure of co-producing a fundraising concert last year and focuses his studies on the intersections of marginalized groups in cinema and the rise of white nationalism and other intolerance in the United States.
Black, Bold & Brilliant screenings and discussions are presented in partnership with KRCL and Utahn Convos
