2023 marks the 103rd Anniversary of Louis Gregory’s visit to Austin to promote racial amity and the oneness of humanity with integrated talks at the two institutions that later became Huston-Tillotson University, and at the original L.C. Anderson High School.
The theme for the 2023 Symposium is 'Race Unity: Conversations to Action'.
This year will feature a Keynote Speaker and a Panel Discussion.
The Keynote Speaker will be Dr. Jeremi Suri, and the panel will feature Sheila Craig, Dr. Rosalee Martin, and Dr. Jeremi Suri. The Master of Ceremonies/Moderator will be Khotan Shahbazi-Harmon.
The theme for the 2023 Symposium is 'Race Unity: Conversations to Action'.
This year will feature a Keynote Speaker and a Panel Discussion.
The Keynote Speaker will be Dr. Jeremi Suri, and the panel will feature Sheila Craig, Dr. Rosalee Martin, and Dr. Jeremi Suri. The Master of Ceremonies/Moderator will be Khotan Shahbazi-Harmon.
Jeremi Suri holds the Mack Brown Distinguished Chair for Leadership in Global Affairs at the University of Texas at Austin. He is a professor in the University's Department of History and the LBJ School of Public Affairs. Professor Suri is the author and editor of eleven books on politics and foreign policy, most recently: Civil War By Other Means: America’s Long and Unfinished Fight for Democracy. His other books include: The Impossible Presidency: The Rise and Fall of America’s Highest Office; Liberty’s Surest Guardian: American Nation-Building from the Founders to Obama; Henry Kissinger and the American Century; and Power and Protest: Global Revolution and the Rise of Détente. His writings appear in the New York Times, Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, CNN.com, Atlantic, Newsweek, Time, Wired, Foreign Affairs, Foreign Policy, and other media. Professor Suri is a popular public lecturer and comments frequently on radio and television news. His writing and teaching have received numerous prizes, including the President’s Associates Teaching Excellence Award from the University of Texas and the Pro Bene Meritis Award for Contributions to the Liberal Arts. Professor Suri hosts a weekly podcast, “This is Democracy.”
Sheila Craig’s career spans state government in Louisiana and Texas. In her current role at the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC), Sheila serves as Director of Civil Rights. Previously, she served as Director of Substance Use Programs Planning and Policy in Behavioral Health Services. Sheila also served as Associate Commissioner of HHSC, Office of Minority Health Statistics and Engagement, also known as the Center for Elimination of Disproportionality and Disparities. Sheila is recognized nationally and internationally as a transformational leader. Her focus is on developing and implementing humane practices, systems improvement, community engagement, advancing policies, data-driven strategies, developing leaders, and design of tools and resources to improve systemic outcomes while walking in excellence. Sheila has a Master of Arts Degree in Counseling.
Dr. Rosalee Martin is an activist, social worker, writer and university professor at Huston-Tillotson University for almost 50 years. As a sociologist and a License Clinical Social Worker, she is passionate about engaging her students in social justice activities through words and deeds.
Annually, Dr. Martin takes her students to Central Texas African American Family Support Conference for academic development, mental health retooling and for networking. She encourages her students to seek opportunities to make a difference by using critical thinking skills gained through academic curriculum. This academic year, Dr. Martin taught Social Change, Methods in Social Work, Genocide, Trauma and Resiliency, and Restorative Justice. Currently she is teaching Sociology in the Arts, Field Placement, among others.
As a Black mother of a son and two daughters and 3 grandsons and 3 granddaughters, Dr. Martin is constantly helping them to navigate being black in a racially divided country. She does this using many formats--writing letters, sharing wisdom through her poetry and art. Having to give ‘the talk’ is traumatic to her and them. Dr. Martin is the author of several poetry books, children’s books, and professional writings, and has published visual art in 900 Chicon, an HT annual journal.
Annually, Dr. Martin takes her students to Central Texas African American Family Support Conference for academic development, mental health retooling and for networking. She encourages her students to seek opportunities to make a difference by using critical thinking skills gained through academic curriculum. This academic year, Dr. Martin taught Social Change, Methods in Social Work, Genocide, Trauma and Resiliency, and Restorative Justice. Currently she is teaching Sociology in the Arts, Field Placement, among others.
As a Black mother of a son and two daughters and 3 grandsons and 3 granddaughters, Dr. Martin is constantly helping them to navigate being black in a racially divided country. She does this using many formats--writing letters, sharing wisdom through her poetry and art. Having to give ‘the talk’ is traumatic to her and them. Dr. Martin is the author of several poetry books, children’s books, and professional writings, and has published visual art in 900 Chicon, an HT annual journal.
Khotan Shahbazi-Harmon will be the event moderator and Master of Ceremonies.
Khotan Shahbazi-Harmon is a community leader and multiple award-winning journalist from Austin with experience in community building, technology and innovation, education and economic development. From 2015-2018, Khotan served as the Co-Director of Austin Mayor’s Task Force on Institutional Racism and Systemic Inequities education working group. Khotan has also served on various community boards such as Leadership Austin, the Greater Austin Asian Chamber of Commerce, and is currently serving as the Chair of the Board of Peace Through Commerce, and the Chair of the Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Austin. Khotan was named one of Austin’s “Women We Love” by Austin Monthly Magazine. She lives in Austin, Texas with her husband Wade and their cat ZuZu.
Khotan Shahbazi-Harmon is a community leader and multiple award-winning journalist from Austin with experience in community building, technology and innovation, education and economic development. From 2015-2018, Khotan served as the Co-Director of Austin Mayor’s Task Force on Institutional Racism and Systemic Inequities education working group. Khotan has also served on various community boards such as Leadership Austin, the Greater Austin Asian Chamber of Commerce, and is currently serving as the Chair of the Board of Peace Through Commerce, and the Chair of the Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Austin. Khotan was named one of Austin’s “Women We Love” by Austin Monthly Magazine. She lives in Austin, Texas with her husband Wade and their cat ZuZu.