Conversations on Anti-Racism, a week of meaningful dialogue around anti-racism, will take place virtually on March 14 to 18, 2022.

Thursday’s event will include two themes:

Theme #1: White Fragility and White Moderacy

Speakers: Dr. Robin DiAngelo, author of White Fragility,  and Dr. June Francis, Special Advisor to SFU President on Anti-Racism

Time: 9:30–11:00 am

Theme #2: Anti-Racism Programs and Projects

Moderator: Sangeeta Subramanian

Time: 11:10–12:30 pm

To register, visit shorturl.at/bisJ3

More about the speakers:

Dr. Robin DiAngelo

Dr. DiAngelo is an Affiliate Associate Professor of Education at the University of Washington. In addition, she holds two Honorary Doctorates. She is a two-time winner of the Student’s Choice Award for Educator of the Year at the University of Washington’s School of Social Work. She has numerous publications and books. In 2011 she coined the term White Fragility in an academic article which has influenced the international dialogue on race. Her book, White Fragility: Why It’s So Hard For White People To Talk About Racism was released in June of 2018 and debuted on the New York Times Bestseller List, where it has remained for over three years. White Fragility has been translated into 10 languages. Her follow up book, Nice Racism: How Progessive White People Perpetuate Racial Harm was released in June of 2021. In addition to her academic work, Dr. DiAngelo has been a consultant and trainer for over 20 years on issues of racial and social justice.

Dr. June Francis

June Francis is Cofounder of The Co-Laboratorio (CoLab Advantage Ltd.), Special Advisor to the President of Simon Fraser University on Anti-Racism, Director of the Institute for Diaspora Research and Engagement, Cofounder of the Black Caucus at SFU and an Associate Professor in the Beedie School of Business. She is also Board Chair of The Hogan’s Alley Society, an organization whose mission is to advance the economic and cultural well-being of people of African Descent through the delivery of housing, built spaces and programming. Through her consulting, research, the media and as a volunteer, she advocates for equity, diversity and inclusion for racialized groups as well as human rights. June Francis’ extensive experience spans the private and public sectors, nationally and internationally. As a business entrepreneur, through the CoLab, June Francis works with a wide range of clients to audit and address structural barriers to participation of Indigenous, Black and other racialized groups – in workplace culture, supply-chains, policy, programs, partnerships and service designs.

More about Conversations on Anti-Racism Week

We are excited to announce a new event: Conversations on Anti-Racism, a week of meaningful dialogue around anti-racism.

Featuring a diverse list of influential voices, Conversations on Anti-Racism is a week-long online series focused on challenging racism through meaningful dialogue. From March 14 to 18, you will hear from a variety of guest speakers, each presenting on different topic under the theme of anti-racism. Join us, in partnership with Tri-Cities Local Immigration Partnership, Burnaby Intercultural Planning Table and North Shore Immigrant Inclusion Partnership, will be hosting a week of virtual discussions focused on the different aspects of anti-racism. Each event will feature a guest speaker and time for questions and answers overseen by a moderator. Join us for what is sure to be a week of impactful discourse

You can find the full schedule below.

Full Schedule of Events

Monday, March 14

9:15–11:30 am*

Theme: Indigenous Cultural Safety

Speaker: Len Pierre, Katzie Nation

Moderator: Charlene Seward

*The first 15 minutes will be dedicated to an Indigenous welcome presentation.

Tuesday, March 15

9:30–11:30 am

Theme: Importance of Equity, Inclusion and Social Justice from a Systems Change Lens

Speaker: Candace Knoll, Member of USW 1944 and of the New Westminster & District Labour Council

Moderator: Navreen Gill, Co-Chair BIPT/Burnaby LIP

Wednesday, March 16

11 am – 1 pm

Theme: Zero Racism, Zero Oppression

Moderator: Yara Younis, Project Manager, SFU RADIUS Refugee Livelihood Lab

Thursday, March 17

9:30–11:00 am

Theme #1: White Fragility and White Moderacy

Speakers: Dr. Robin DiAngelo, author of White Fragility,  and Dr. June Francis, Special Advisor to SFU President on Anti-Racism

11:10–12:30 pm

Theme #2: Anti-Racism Programs and Projects

Moderator: Sangeeta Subramanian, Chetana Consulting

Friday, March 18

9:30–11:30 am

Theme: Anti-Racism from the Leaders of Christianism, Buddhism and Islam

Speakers: Tariq Tyab and Yusuf Siraj, of Foundation for a Path Forward

Moderator: TBD