collage of diversity-related book titles

Day of Dialogue 2023

Thank you to all those who participated and engaged with Day of Dialogue 2023! Day of Dialogue took place on Wednesday, February 15, 2023 beginning at 9:30 am. With over 2,300 members of our SJU community registered, it’s shaped up to be an amazing day!

The Day of Dialogue continues to build upon conversations about diversity, equity, and inclusion taking place throughout the campus community by providing practical, participatory, and action-oriented sessions. All are encouraged to attend and own their role in making our community more inclusive. This year’s themes include Allyship, Advocacy, Social and Environmental Justice, Health and Wellbeing, and more. The full list is below.

Meet the Keynote Speakers

Our morning keynote will be delivered by D. Steve Boland and our afternoon keynote will be delivered by Carissa Begonia and Future Cain. Our afternoon keynote session is sponsored by the Women's Center & Inclusion and Diversity Educational Achievement.

Steve Boland

D. Steve Boland (he/him)

Boland is chief administrative officer for Bank of America and is a member of the company’s executive management team.

 Carissa Begonia

Carissa Begonia (she/her)

Begonia is a second-generation Filipina American daughter of immigrants. She is a business and leadership coach and founder of CONSCIOUSXCHANGE.

Future Cain

Future Cain (she/her)

Cain is the CEO of The Future of SEL and previously served as the Statewide Project Coordinator for Social and Emotional Learning and Mental Health in Wisconsin.

The Inventor: A film by Philip Musey, Inspired by True Events - poster features Keith Arthur Bolden as Garrett A. Morgan
Featured Session

"The Inventor: The Story of Garrett Morgan"

Facilitated, interactive discussions will follow the film screening.

Garrett A. Morgan was a Cleveland-based, African-American inventor who most notably patented the three-signal traffic light and created a precursor to the modern gas mask. Set in 1916, this short film explores the business and moral dilemma Garrett faced after he and his brother Frank used an invention of Garrett’s own making to rescue miners trapped in an underground inferno, and were then left out of the story entirely.

This film depicts incidents of racial oppression and uses mild adult language.

Sponsored by:

  • Department of Music, Theater & Film
  • SJU Libraries
  • Beautiful Social Research Collaborative
  • Arrupe Center for Business Ethics
  • Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

 

DAY OF DIALOGUE 2023 THEMES

Saint Joseph’s University prioritizes diversity and inclusion and considers it central to the University’s mission. As a Jesuit university, we’re committed to educating and caring for the whole person, across all aspects of identity. We’re a community of unique individuals, sharing a deep sense of belonging — where voices are heard, opinions are respected and our differences are celebrated and valued. To that end, the themes for the 2023 Day of Dialogue are:
 

  • Making room at the table. On behalf of yourself, another person or a system.  Active support. Passive support. Speaking up. Stepping forward. How can we amplify the unheard voices? Dialogue. Collaboration. Structural support within our university.

    “Each of us needs to find our own sources of courage so that we can begin to speak … We cannot continue to be silent. We must begin to speak, knowing that words alone are insufficient. But I have seen that meaningful dialogue can lead to effective action. Change is possible.” ― Beverly Daniel Tatum

  • Respectful interactions between individuals, organizations, and hierarchies. Cultivation of empathy. How can we look beyond our own vantage point? Developing cultural competence. Honoring cultural differences. Influence. Listening. SJU as a mechanism to strengthen connections across the planet and at home.

    “Because we are a globally connected village, we need to remember that our choices are not isolated. They have a powerful ripple effect, and that ripple is global.” ― Linda Fisher Thornton

  • Care for the whole person. Cura personalis. Cura propria. Care for oneself. Physical, mental, and spiritual. Navigating stressors and finding available resources. What does that look like? Setting boundaries. Saying yes. Saying no. Avoiding burnout. Acknowledging socio-historical trauma. How can we define wellness as a university? All of us benefit from support during times of struggle and challenges. Unwavering support for individuals' wellbeing. Remaining conscious of the seriousness of this moment, but not overwhelmed.

    "Caring for myself is not self-indulgence, it is self-preservation, and that is an act of political warfare.” --Audre Lorde

  • Race, class, ethnicity, national origin, immigrant status, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical ability, cognitive ability, religious beliefs, physical appearance, income or economic background, marital status, military and military veteran status. How do various forms of discrimination come together? Converging parts of our identities. How does that help us? How can it hurt us? Saint Joseph’s University as a driving force to recognize and support all members of the community.

    “The better we understand how identities and power work together from one context to another, the less likely our movements for change are to fracture.” — Kimberlé Crenshaw

  • Addressing unfair, avoidable differences within our university and in the broader community. What systems perpetuate this inequity? What does an unequal distribution of resources and opportunities look like? At our school? In our world? Saint Joseph’s University as an engine for social change. What is our responsibility to create a better campus, university, city, state, region, nation and world?

    "Justice is what love looks like in public" - Dr. Cornel West

  • Symbolism. Media as a vehicle for positive change. Understanding the negative impact of tokenism and stereotypes. Authentic and inclusive representation. Representative storytelling. Media’s impact on our identities and sense of self. Presence is not the same as representation. ‘Why don’t I see anybody like me?’ Consider the impact of a lack of representation.

    “If you don’t think representation matters, you’re probably well-represented.” –Rev. Bernice King

  • Fair treatment and meaningful involvement of Saint Joseph’s community members to walk toward a more just world. Recognizing and respecting systemic grievances. How do we define SJU in relation to justice?

    “We should try to leave the world a better place than when we entered it. As individuals, we can make a difference, whether it is to probe the secrets of Nature, to clean up the environment and work for peace and social justice, or to nurture the inquisitive, vibrant spirit of the young by being a mentor and a guide.” ― Michio Kaku

Day of Dialogue 2023 Planning Committee 

Members:  Destiny Little, Dr. Kim Allen-Stuck, Will Marsh, Nikki Palladino, Dr. Becki Scola, Rachel Callahan, Dr. Sylvester Carter, Jill Welsh, Brittany Bronson, Erika Lohbauer, Jennifer Hasse, Prof. Michael Wellenreiter, Erica Langholz, Rich Cosgriff, Tobi Akinyelure, Dr. Aisha Lockridge, Dr. Laura Bucci, Dr. Chris Heasley, Dr. Kaz Fukuoka, Dr. Susan Clampet-Lundquist, Erick Woods, Melissa McClory, Jimmy Janco, Dr. Jessica Joseph, Dr. Tyan Thomas, Mike Ruegger, Sara Haines, Dick Wisenbaker, Dr. Beth McNamee, Prof. Theresa Rhett-Davis, Oumou Tounkara, Kevin Hoban, Julia Butler, Dr. Divya Balasubramaniam, Maryjane Okonji, Dr. Claudia Páez Lotero, Dr. Tim Swift, Thom Nailor and Maddie DeMarco '22.

Co-Chairs: Chontel Delaney, MS & Dr. Janée N. Burkhalter 

If you have any questions, please contact us by email at dialogue@sju.edu.