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Book discussion: Recitatif by Toni Morrison
March 17 at 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm
SC4’s Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion presents a guided book discussion on “Recitatif” by Toni Morrison. The book is about the power of friendship. The story follows the lives of two girls, Roberta and Twyla, who meet as children in an orphanage and become lifelong friends. Though they come from different racial backgrounds, their bond is strong and unbreakable.
Book are available by contacting SC4’s Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at (810) 989-5564 or visiting the DEI office during normal business hours in SC4’s Welcome Center.
LOCATION: SC4 Fine Arts Theatre
RSVP for this free event using this link or email dei@sc4.edu.
The book discussion will be facilitated by Dr. Leah Howell and Dr. Portia Watkins.
Dr. Leah Howell currently serves as Director of Learning Design at Everspring, Inc., after nearly two decades of campus-based experience in post-secondary education. She completed her Ph.D. in Educational Studies, with a focus in Developmental and Learning Sciences, at the University of Cincinnati where her research focused on the intersection of identity development and high-risk alcohol use. Dr. Howell has taught undergraduate and graduate courses in Psychology, Education, and Human Development. Her curriculum development and facilitation experience are diverse, covering topics including leadership development, equity and access, cultural competence, harm reduction, and sexual violence prevention. She is an Executive Function Coach, actively working with individuals and teams to enhance their skills to increase efficiency, effectiveness, and personal satisfaction. As a proud first-generation college student, she has an affinity for opportunities which allow her to impact the expansion of inclusion and access practices for post-secondary communities. She currently serves on the Executive Board of Transplant Life Illinois and is an Ambassador with the United Network for Organ Sharing.
Dr. Portia Watkins is an equity and inclusion minded higher education professional with over 9 years of experience. She is a Level 1 trainer of the Kingian Nonviolence Conflict Reconciliation program which is based on the life and readings of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Her research interests include Black Women Professors and Staff in higher education, Othermothering, Black Feminist thought, Critical Race theory, group dynamics, access in higher education, social justice, supervision, and assessment. She has extensive personal experience as an adoptive and foster parent, and currently serves as an appointed member of the Citizen Review Panel for the Governor’s Task Force on Child Abuse and Neglect in Michigan. Dr. Watkins is currently serving as the Director of Transitions and Transfer Student Success at Michigan State University.
