In 2013 RPI presented an interdisciplinary series of events that featured educators, scholars, artists, and activists whose work stimulates critical intellectual engagement about issues of racial justice and educational reform, pushing the boundaries of civic and political consciousness with non-traditional voices and representation.

Who

This series was hosted by RPI and moderated by Dr. Dexter Gordon, in conversation with Dr. Thelma Jackson, Paul Rucket, Dr. Chiyuki Shannon and Walidah Imarisha. 

Mission

The series featured and connected the work of four visiting scholars through public presentations, class visits, workshops, and conversation sessions focused on the sub topics with presentations titled:

  • Education and Criminal Justice; Intersections
  • Multicultural and Intergenerational Perspectives on Education, Justice, and Communities of Invisibility
  • New Faces, New Voices: The Role of Youth in Educational Justice.

Each presentation provided a unique and different artistic expression aimed at raising awareness and community engagement around issues of diversity, representation, and social justice.

Goal

The structure for the RPI Chism Series was built on successful models which engage artists in work that responds to both the content of social justice issues and the community voices that reflect the diverse understanding and responses to these issues.