The Xavier Herald October 20, 2015 Xavier Takes Center Stage In Black Lives Matter Movement As a response to racial conflicts and injustices facing the African-American community, the Institute for Black Catholic Studies at Xavier will host a national symposium featuring leading civil rights, education, religious and community leaders from across the country. The "Black Lives Matter: Race, Violence, Poverty" conference takes place Nov. 6-7, 2015, at the University Center, and it will focus on issues of racial conflict, discrimination, the current violent culture in America, and the high poverty rate in the African-American community, according to the Rev. Dr. Maurice Nutt, the IBCS director. The event is free for Xavier students. Nutt said XU students can register online or during pre-conference registration from noon to 3 p.m. on Nov. 4-5 in the UC. Event registration for non-XU students is $10. General admission is $40, which includes both days, and group rates are available. Other fee packages include live streaming. Complete information, including registration and the event schedule, is online at http:// www.xulablacklivesmatter.com, and at the IBCS office, Xavier South, Suite 560, telephone 504.273.7300. Friday, Nov. 6 6 p.m. to 11 p.m The opening event includes a 7 p.m. keynote address by Rev. Bryan Massingale, a professor of ethics and theology at Marquette University, who links religious faith with social activism. Nutt said there will be a jazz reception and the evening ends with a spoken word and open mic event geared toward students. Saturday, Nov. 7 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. University Center Ballroom: Activist and Teach for America executive director Brittany Packnett is expected to draw a crowd for her address at 9 a.m. Following her high profile activism in Ferguson, Mo., and as facilitator of the "Ferguson Fireside Conference Calls," President Barack Obama appointed Packnett to his task force on 21st Century Policing. The St. Louis, Mo., native is a longtime educator, and TIME Magazine named Packnett "One of 12 New Faces of Black Leadership." "Education avoided a traumatic experience in Ferguson, thanks to Packnett," Nutt said."This young woman is phenomenal and is making a difference. Xavier is blessed to have her come to campus. Students need to come and be motivated by this phenomenal woman." Qatar Pavilion: There will be two workshop sessions from 10:20 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Topics include: "Understanding White Privilege," "Black Mass Incarceration," "Black and Blue: How to Deal with Police," "Racial & Cultural Consciousness," and "The Enduring Effects of Black Poverty." Speakers and details are online at www. xulablacklivesmatter.com. University Center: Following lunch, nola.com/ The Times-Picayune awardwinning columnist Jarvis DeBerry moderates a panel discussion at 1 p.m. with the Rev. Michael Pfleger, Judge Keva Landrum-Johnson, Judge Morris Reed, Erika McConduit, and Xavier's Dr. Brian Turner. U.S. Attorney Kenneth Polite gives closing remarks at 2:30 p.m. Xavier Takes Center Stage "I hope this puts Xavier University in the front of this issue," said Dr. Turner, an assistant professor in Xavier's department of psychology and a guest panelist. "Right now, Xavier University is a place moving with the Black Lives Matter movement through the IBCS symposium. This can be the start of something big. HBCUs have to take the step forward. I applaud all those playing a role in making this a success. ... Does your life matter? If it does, you need to be at this symposium so you can go deeper into your own racial culture and identity," Turner said. Since 1980, the IBCS has provided a spiritual, cultural, and intellectual focus on the Black Catholic faith, according to Nutt. The Black Lives Matter symposium is another extension of the mission of service Xavier's foundress St. Katharine Drexel began when the university opened in 1925. When St. Katharine Drexel founded Xavier during a period of segregation in the South, she was effectively proving 'black lives matter,'" Nutt said."I feel Xavier University, being black and Catholic, needs to address these critical issues of racism, poverty, and unawareness in our society. I took this as a challenge and an encouragement to make something happen; thus, the birth of IBCS's Black Lives Matter symposium." Turner said the Black Lives Matter movement and Xavier's symposium cross many barriers. "At the end of the day, we have to recognize we live in a society where people are different but may share the same goals," Turner said. "It's the moment when we degrade each other that we miss out on that. We need to fight for the equality of all people, no matter their differences." A student delegation from Dillard University will be among many from campuses across the country, Nutt said. Likewise, he hopes Xavier students will register and turn out in force. "This will be a time for other college students and young people all over the country to speak on what the Black Lives Matter movement means to you," Nutt said "This symposium is not about listening and going to workshops, but to speak your heart and your mind about this movement and the value of black lives." Follow symposium details at www.xulablacklivesmatter.com SANDRA M. PHOENIX Executive Director HBCU Library Alliance sphoenix@hbculibraries.org<mailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org> www.hbculibraries.org<http://www.hbculibraries.org/> 800-999-8558, ext. 4820 404-702-5854 Skype: sandra.phoenix1 1438 West Peachtree NW Suite 200 Atlanta,GA 30309 Toll Free: 1.800.999.8558 (LYRASIS) Fax: 404.892.7879 www.lyrasis.org<http://www.lyrasis.org/> Honor the ancestors, honor the children.