Pepperdine University Celebrates Black History Month 2023

February is Black History Month, which was officially recognized in 1976 as part of the United States’ bicentennial celebrations. Pepperdine invites the University community to explore a range of activities and events to honor the contributions of Black Americans, including:
Caruso School of Law: Dean’s Speaker Series
Wednesday, February 1 | 12:40 to 1:30 PM | Caruso Classroom D and Virtual
Sanford S. Williams, deputy managing director at the Federal Communications Commission, will speak about accessibility, diversity, and digital discrimination. To attend virtually,
please register.
Graduate School of Education and Psychology: Speaker and Student Panel Series
Tuesday, February 2, to Thursday, February 23 | Virtual
The Center for Global Partnerships and Learning, in partnership with the Graduate
School of Education and Psychology, is sponsoring multiple online events throughout
the month. Speakers include: Reverend Sharletta Green on “Celebrating the Significance
of Black History Month” (February 2 at 6 PM), Kai Dupe on “Access Denied” (February
7 at 6 PM), Vice President for Community Belonging and Chief Diversity Officer J.
Goosby Smith on “The Meaning of Black History Month” (February 15 at 6 PM), and Wylin
Wilson as the keynote speaker (February 20 at 3 PM). Student panels will be held on
February 9, 16, and 23, all at 6 PM. Register to attend any of these virtual events.
Graduate School of Education and Psychology: Margaret J. Weber Distinguished Lecture
Series
Wednesday, February 15 | 5:30 PM | Room 203, West Los Angeles Graduate Campus and
Virtual
Moderated by Carlos Jimenez, manager of writing support services and adjunct professor
at the Graduate School of Education and Psychology, a distinguished panel of leaders
will discuss “Prioritizing the Humanity of DEI” with a focus on the humanity of diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts from a spiritual,
organizational, and law perspective. Registration is available on the event website.
Caruso School of Law: Judges Panel Discussion on Diversity in the Judiciary
Monday, February 20 | 12:40 PM | Mendenhall Appellate Courtroom
A group of Black Pepperdine alumni who serve as judges will talk about the experience
of being a Black judge. Lunch will be served.
Office of Intercultural Affairs and Pepperdine Libraries: Disrupting Racism Through
the Lens of the Arts
Tuesday, February 21 | 11:30 AM | Lecture in the Payson Library Surfboard Room
1 PM | Q & A Luncheon in the Intercultural Affairs (ICA) Lounge
5:30 PM | Performance in the Light House
The Intercultural Affairs office and Pepperdine Libraries are pleased to present a
lecture by Ronald C. McCurdy, professor of music at the Thornton School of Music at
the University of Southern California, where he also serves as assistant dean of the
Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee. As part of his lecture, "Disrupting
Racism Through The Lens of the Arts," Dr. McCurdy will discuss his work based on Langston
Hughes' Ask Your Mama: 12 Moods for Jazz. This collection of poems serves as Hughes' social commentary on the struggle for
freedom and equality for Africans and African Americans in the 1960s. Registration
for the lecture is available on the event website.
Graziadio Business School: Screening of The 1619 Project: Perspectives and Discourse
Tuesday, February 21 | 6 PM | Virtual
Join us for a screening of Nikole Hannah-Jones’ fourth episode of her second docuseries,
The 1619 Project: Perspectives and Discourse on Hulu. This episode focuses on the economy that slavery built and highlights “how
the institution of slavery turned a poor, fledgling nation into a financial powerhouse.”
After the screening, panelists will share their perspectives in a discussion moderated
by Dr. J. Goosby Smith, vice president for community belonging and chief diversity
officer. Panelists include: Dr. Arman Davtyan, assistant dean of enrollment management
at the Graziadio Business School; Anthony M. Penman (JD, MBA ’15, PKE-134), financial
services professional at New York Life Insurance Company; Brandi Harleaux (MBA ’12),
CEO and owner of South Post Oaks Recycling Center and Graziadio Business School Board
member; Julie Awopetu (MBA ’22); Stasia Washington (MBA ’13, PKE-129), senior managing
director at First Foundation Advisors; and Dr. Stephen Rapier, full-time MBA academic
chair and assistant professor of marketing at the Graziadio Business School. We invite
you to donate during registration to support the Cedric Watkins Graziadio Diversity
Scholarship founded by the Graziadio Business School Board in memory of beloved board
member Cedric Watkins. This fund provides scholarship resources to deserving students
from underrepresented communities. Registration for the event is available on the
event website.
School of Public Policy—Davenport Institute for Public Engagement and Civic Leadership:
A Conversation with Black Leaders in Local Government
Monday, February 27 | 12 PM | Virtual
In honor of Black History Month, the Davenport Institute is pleased to bring together
Black leaders from local government to share their career journeys, challenges, contributions,
and wisdom. This free, virtual event will take the form of an organic panel discussion
and will be moderated by Pat Martel, ICMA West Coast Regional Director, Former City
Manager, Daly City. Panelists include: Troy Brown, ICMA-CM, City Manager, City of
Moorpark; Artie Fields, City Manager, City of Inglewood; Ingrid Hardy, Assistant City
Manager, City of Thousand Oaks; Kurt Wilson, Executive Director, Western Riverside
Council of Governments. Registration for the event is available on the event website.
Caruso School of Law: Screening of Unspoken Documentary
Tuesday, February 28 | 12:40 PM | Caruso Room SR-1
Enjoy a screening of the documentary film, Unspoken, which takes an in-depth look at the Christian heritage in Africa, followed by an
insightful discussion about how historical events have shaped today's perspective
of Christianity.
Caruso School of Law: Third Annual Belonging Awards
Rescheduled to Friday, March 17 | 6 PM | Light House
Celebrate the diversity of the students, faculty, staff, and alumni of the School
of Law. This evening of dinner and entertainment will honor student organizations
that thoughtfully promote diversity, belonging, and important views at the school;
alumni who promote diversity and belonging in their professions; and faculty, staff,
and individual students who exemplify diversity, inclusion, and belonging at the School
of Law. Robin S. Toma, executive director of the Los Angeles County Commission on
Human Relations and a decorated civil and human rights attorney, will be the keynote
speaker. Tickets may be purchased on the event website.
For additional information about events celebrating Black voices from across the University, please visit Pepperdine University’s Black History Month website.