Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Events

January 17, 2017 - 1:15 PM to 2:00 PM ET

Facebook Live! #UMICHCHAT

In October 2016, President Mark Schlissel introduced a new University of Michigan initiative to address one of humanity's most critical and seemingly intractable problems: poverty.  Called Poverty Solutions, the U-M initiative will explore and test models to ease the effects of poverty and broadly share that knowledge, while working with community groups and supporting active-learning options for students. Schlissel will be joined H. Luke Shaefer, associate professor of social work and public policy and director of Poverty Solutions, along with other U-M faculty and community partners to discuss upcoming projects the new initiative will tackle. The new projects, ranging from community health worker support to youth jobs, have the potential to impact communities throughout Michigan and the nation.

Tune in to this live virtual panel online at www.facebook.com/UniversityOfMichigan.

January 16, 2017 ET

December 8, 2016 - 7:30 AM to 8:30 AM ET

The Obstetrics and Gynecology Department hosts Loretta Ross, co-founded and National Coordinator of the SisterSong Women of Color Reproductive Justice Collective, will present the grand rounds lecture “Calling in the Calling out culture: Building a Human Rights Movement”. Attendants will learn about facilitating unified and strategic human rights movements, and how moving from call out culture to 'call in' culture can help social justice activists create a positive future based on justice and the politics of love.

Map of lecture location

December 6, 2016 - 5:15 PM to 7:00 PM ET

Join us at a reception to recognize the work of our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion strategic planning committee and to hear more about our plan.​  

This event is open to all School of Social Work Community Members 

Introduction to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at the School of Social Work

Overview of Strategic Plan

Reflections from Committee Members

Critical Intersectionality In the School of Social Work

Closing Remarks

Snacks and light refreshments will be provided.  

RSVP encouraged but not required.

December 5, 2016 - 5:00 PM to 7:30 PM ET

Natalie Jensen (MSW '16) shares a performance art piece, interactive exhibit, and reflective discussion on the journey through sudden and traumatic loss.

December 5, 2016 - 12:00 PM to 1:30 PM ET

The Critical Intersectionality Interdiciplinary Workshop provides space for Rackham PhD students to discuss, share readings, and present research regarding complex theoretical and methodological issues related to intersectionality. Graduate students at any stage of their research are welcome. Lunch will be provided. 

November 30, 2016 - 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM ET

As a response to violence and social justice issues worldwide, the School of Social Work is hosting several Current Events Cafes.

Cafes provide a reflective conversational space to process, (un)learn together, and move forward social justice work - micro, mezzo, and macro. 

To be responsive to current events, topics and resources will be announced via email a few days prior to each cafe.

Snacks provided.

November 30, 2016 - 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM ET

Join us for an opportunity to hear the stories of Returned Peace Corps Volunteers in the Master's International program through the art of PechaKucha.What's PechaKucha?! It is a presentation format where the speaker shows 20 images, each for 20 seconds. and taste foods from these RPCVs respective countries!!

November 14, 2016 - 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM ET

As a response to violence and social justice issues worldwide, the School of Social Work is hosting several Current Events Cafes. Cafes provide a reflective conversational space to process, (un)learn together, and move forward social justice work - micro, mezzo, and macro. To be responsive to current events, topics and resources will be announced via email a few days prior to each cafe.

Join us at the Current Events Cafe on Monday, 11/14, 12-2pm, in room 2202 of the School of Education for a space to process, debrief, and discuss the election results.

Professor Cristina Bares will facilitate hands-on reflective activities; such as origami, coloring, and journaling. You are also encouraged to bring a laptop or tablet as we will work together to create a list of local, national, and global actions.

Snacks provided. 

Register Now

November 2, 2016 - 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM ET

This workshop by Nalgona Positivity Pride focuses on the unique multigenerational experiences women and queer people of color have had with colonialism and its connection to the development of eating disorders. 

November 2, 2016 - 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM ET

As a response to violence and social justice issues worldwide, the School of Social Work is hosting several Current Events Cafes. Cafes provide a reflective conversational space to process, (un)learn together, and move forward social justice work - micro, mezzo, and macro. To be responsive to current events, topics and resources will be announced via email a few days prior to each cafe. This cafe topic is Art & Social Justice. 

Join us for music, painting, and conversation about the role of art and creativity in social [justice] work: from art therapy to films/documentaries, community murals, and spoken word poetry.

Visit the resources*** below to begin exploring the topic:

American Art Therapy Association

Artists as Activists: Pursuing Social Justice (Huffington Post Article)

Sarah Kay: If I should have a daughter… (TED Talk about spoken word poetry)

The 25 Most Amazing Community Arts Projects

Prison Creative Arts Project (U-M LS&A Program)

***Note: Art may disrupt, cause conversation, unite, or be triggering. Viewer discretion is advised.

Feel free to bring friends and other current event resources with you.

Snacks and art supplies provided. 

Register Now

October 27, 2016 - 12:00 PM to 1:30 PM ET

Join the Dean's TBLG Matters Initiative for a workshop + discussion on topics around gender including pronoun usage, best practices in the classroom, microaggressions, and more! 

Refreshments and snacks will be provided!

For more information or accessiblity needs, please contact: [email protected]

October 23, 2016 - 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM ET

Students, staff, and faculty are invited to participate in a discussion of the first chapter of Grace Lee Boggs's book, The Next American Revolution. The first 30 people to arrive will receive a hard copy of the book to borrow from the school. 

October 21, 2016 to October 22, 2016

Toxic Borders and Bondages: Intersecting Ecology with Capitalism, Racism, Heteropatriarchy and (Dis)possession" will offer graduate students the opportunity to explore the following questions.

How does the discourse and lived reality of "toxicity" redefine the borders of mind, body, and community?

What becomes coded as "toxic" and what does not?

Through a provocation to erect borders and a simultaneous admonition that they will fail, the notion of toxicity urges critical inquiry into how barriers of aversion are both configured and undermined. At this symposium, we aim to collaborate across discourses and develop a space for dialogue about how toxicity broadly writ has become discursively bonded to certain natural, human, and national bodies in order to uphold systems of colonization and imperialism, racism and white supremacy, capitalist accumulation and dispossession, patriarchy and compulsory heterosexuality, and other regimes of hierarchical oppression.

Keynote addresses will be given by environmental justice scholars Julie Sze from the University of California, Davis and John Gamber from Columbia University.

October 13, 2016 - 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM ET

Come join the School of Social Work as we welcome Jason Turkish, Esq., "...a leading voice for the disabled and those who need a fair shot, Jason uses his lifetime of personal experience, and superior legal training, to achieve life-changing results for his clients."

Mr. Turkish will explore the history of the Americans with Disabilities Act, as well as major legal developments. The goal of the presentation is to educate non-attorney individuals without disabilities on how they can be advocates and allies to the disability community. 

Refreshments will be provided.

RSVP here »

October 13, 2016 - 8:00 AM to October 14, 2016 5:00 PM ET

Current MSW students will be available in the conference exhibit hall to share information on U-M's MSW and PhD programs.

October 12, 2016 - 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM ET

As a response to violence and social justice issues worldwide, the School of Social Work is hosting several Current Events Cafes.

Cafes provide a reflective conversational space to process, (un)learn together, and move forward social justice work - micro, mezzo, and macro. 

To be responsive to current events, topics and resources will be announced via email a few days prior to each cafe.

Snacks provided. 

Register Now

October 10, 2016 - 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM ET

Film screening of No Mas Bebes and discussion led by Alexandra Minn Stern. 

Event sponsored by the LatinX Social Work Coalition, LANAMA, MESA, AND CCI

They came to have their babies. They went home sterilized. The story of immigrant mothers who sued county doctors, the state, and the U.S. government after they were pushed into sterilizations while giving birth at the Los Angeles County-USC Medical Center during the 1960s and 70s. Led by an intrepid, 26-year-old Chicana lawyer and armed with hospital records secretly gathered by a whistle-blowing young doctor, the mothers faced public exposure and stood up to powerful institutions in the name of justice. 

October 7, 2016 - 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM ET

As a response to violence and social justice issues worldwide, the School of Social Work is hosting several Current Events Cafes.

Cafes provide a reflective conversational space to process, (un)learn together, and move forward social justice work - micro, mezzo, and macro. 

To be responsive to current events, topics and resources will be announced via email a few days prior to each cafe.

Snacks provided. 

Register Now

September 27, 2016 - 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM ET

SSW Reads is a school-wide initiative intended to explore the life and perspectives of individuals engaged in social change work. The program is intended to foster a greater sense of community within the school and encourage more opportunities for critical dialogue about important social issues. This year’s SSW Reads book is The Next American Revolution by Grace Lee Boggs.

All students, staff and faculty are invited to attend a screening of American Revolutionary, a documentary about Grace Lee Boggs. This event will be followed by a Q&A to learn more about the program and how you can be involved.

Two screenings are available, please register for only one.

RSVP here »

Or attend the noon screening.

September 27, 2016 - 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM ET

SSW Reads is a school-wide initiative intended to explore the life and perspectives of individuals engaged in social change work. The program is intended to foster a greater sense of community within the school and encourage more opportunities for critical dialogue about important social issues. This year’s SSW Reads book is The Next American Revolution by Grace Lee Boggs.

All students, staff and faculty are invited to attend a screening of American Revolutionary, a documentary about Grace Lee Boggs. This event will be followed by a Q&A to learn more about the program and how you can be involved.

Two screenings are available, please register for only one.

RSVP here »

Or attend the evening screening.

July 30, 2016 - 10:00 AM ET

Summer Commencement will be held at Power Center at 10 a.m. Reception immediately following in the School of Social Work.

Important instructions for graduates »

* Note: there will be a International Champion Cup Soccer game at the stadium that same date of graduation that will impact Commencement. You may want to begin planning early.

June 27, 2016 - 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM ET

Join us in recognizing World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (June 15th) with a screening of the short documentary, "An Age for Justice", a film that chronicles true stories of elder abuse survivors. A discussion following the film will be facilitated by Janet Hunko, Director of the U-M Health System's Housing Bureau for Seniors. This event will provide attendees with a better understanding of how abuse and neglect of older adults may manifest, and increased knowledge of how to combat it in our communities.

This event is sponsored by the Gerontology Learning Community.

Lunch will be provided.

RSVP here »