Cooley Law School hosted a Community Conversation event on June 18 to celebrate Juneteenth, the day which marks the end of slavery and signifying freedom for African Americans in the United States. The event featured Dr. Roger Cleveland, board chair of Black Males Working Academy, as the keynote speaker.
“When Juneteenth was recognized as a federal holiday, our country took a step towards healing by acknowledging Black pain and Black trauma,” said Cleveland. “African Americans deserve to have their history remembered. By making a commitment to ensure Juneteenth is a national holiday will lead to a giant leap in our nation’s reckoning and our country’s mission of justice and fairness.”
Cleveland, an educator, researcher and leader in the fields of diversity, equity, cultural humility and academic innovation, has spent over 20 years working in K-12 and higher education. He has served as director of Kentucky Department of Education’s division of equity and federal programs, and hosted numerous nationwide equity, leadership, and organizational workshops and lectures. Additionally, Cleveland has published several equity, inclusion, and education-related articles. In his role at Black Males Working Academy, he helps guide male Black youth on college and career readiness through academics, social-emotional learning and leadership.
During the event, Cleveland reviewed and examined the current status of African Americans throughout the past 150 years. Additionally, he asked attendees to consider what they or their institutions are doing to promote equity and social justice, and encouraged them to act on those thoughts.
“Equity is about access, fairness and justice,” said Cleveland. “Equity is the process – equality is the outcome. The product is only as good as the process.”
“When Juneteenth was recognized as a federal holiday, our country took a step towards healing by acknowledging Black pain and Black trauma,” said Cleveland. “African Americans deserve to have their history remembered. By making a commitment to ensure Juneteenth is a national holiday will lead to a giant leap in our nation’s reckoning and our country’s mission of justice and fairness.”
Cleveland, an educator, researcher and leader in the fields of diversity, equity, cultural humility and academic innovation, has spent over 20 years working in K-12 and higher education. He has served as director of Kentucky Department of Education’s division of equity and federal programs, and hosted numerous nationwide equity, leadership, and organizational workshops and lectures. Additionally, Cleveland has published several equity, inclusion, and education-related articles. In his role at Black Males Working Academy, he helps guide male Black youth on college and career readiness through academics, social-emotional learning and leadership.
During the event, Cleveland reviewed and examined the current status of African Americans throughout the past 150 years. Additionally, he asked attendees to consider what they or their institutions are doing to promote equity and social justice, and encouraged them to act on those thoughts.
“Equity is about access, fairness and justice,” said Cleveland. “Equity is the process – equality is the outcome. The product is only as good as the process.”
––––––––––––––––––––
Subscribe to the Legal News!
http://legalnews.com/Home/Subscription
Full access to public notices, articles, columns, archives, statistics, calendar and more
Day Pass Only $4.95!
One-County $80/year
Three-County & Full Pass also available
