Leonard Pitts Jr. is widely known for his nationally syndicated Miami Herald column that often addresses issues of race and racism, politics, and culture. In a career that spans close to 45 years, Pitts has worked as a columnist, a college professor, a radio producer, and a lecturer. He is also the author of a series of critically acclaimed books, including Becoming Dad: Black Men and the Journey to Fatherhood, and his latest, The Last Thing You Surrender. Pitts was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Commentary in 2004.
Mr. Pitts will be joined in conversation by former Miami Herald Editor Mindy Marqués, a member of Colby’s Lovejoy Award Selection Committee. This event will be livestreamed here; no registration is necessary. Closed Captions and ASL will be available.
Are you interested in the intersection between criminal and racial justice? Join the Goldfarb Center at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, April 7 for a virtual talk with Anthony Ray Hinton, one of the longest serving death row prisoners in Alabama history who was freed in 2015 after proving his innocence. Mr. Hinton, now an author and prison reform advocate, will share his story about how he survived 30 years on death row and never gave up on his quest for justice and freedom.
This talk is part of a series of events that look at the U.S. criminal justice system and racial inequalities, the theme for this year’s competitive Freedom of Expression Policy Symposium. Submit your policy proposal by April 12 and compete to win up to $2,000. Closed Captions and ASL will be available.
The Goldfarb Center for Public Affairs will host on campus two leading voices on reproductive rights: Skye Perryman, formerly the chief legal officer and general counsel for the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and currently president and CEO of the Democracy Forward Foundation, and Dr. Jen Villavicencio, an obstetrician-gynecologist with a public policy expertise who works in anti-racism and reproductive justice in addition to providing abortion care.
This event will explore historical, legal, and medical perspectives regarding reproductive autonomy in the United States with a particular focus on the current U.S. Supreme Court term. Our speakers will examine recent changes to abortion laws, including the Supreme Court’s consideration of Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health, which will be heard on December 1, and its implications on medical care, health care access, and the law. Panelists will also discuss Texas Senate Bill 8 and other developments in reproductive health policy. Moderated by Kimberly Flowers, Executive Director, Goldfarb Center for Public Affairs.
The Colby community is welcome to attend. A dessert bar will be provided, as well as Goldfarb swag.
We connect the Colby community to our nation’s most pressing current events, foster awareness of the role of public policy, and inspire active citizenship. We spark thought-provoking conversations through high-profile public events and create networking opportunities for students interested in public affairs. We believe in a nonpartisan, inclusive approach that welcomes every opinion as part of a healthy discourse.
There is a tangible new energy on campus at the beginning of the semester. You can feel the hope and trepidation of Colby’s largest incoming class ever. We are masking up, testing regularly, and navigating how to move forward with the current stage of the pandemic and the perpetual state of uncertainty that has become the norm. We are also already tackling big conversations.
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