Black Faculty Speaker Series 2022-2023

The University's Black Faculty Speaker Series promotes a campus culture in which Black thought, experience, and creativity are visible and vital. Each visiting speaker provides a unique voice and perspective on Black futurity.

Keynote speaker

Ibrahim Thiaw, Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) will present "Environmental Justice: Seeding the Ground, Planting New Roots." 

Thiaw was appointed as Under Secretary General of the United Nations and UNCCD Executive Secretary on Jan. 31, 2019. Thiaw has 40 years of experience in sustainable development, environmental governance and natural resource management. Executive Secretary Thiaw is well-poised to lead the global effort on land restoration, build drought resilience; and improve food security, gender equality and land rights for vulnerable populations. 

Before joining UNCCD, Thiaw was Special Adviser to the Secretary-General for the Sahel, where he supported the implementation of the United Nations Integrated Strategy for the Sahel (UNISS) and the development of a UN Support Plan for the Sahel. From 2013 to 2018, Thiaw was Assistant Secretary General and Deputy Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). Before that, he was the Director of UNEP’s Division for Environmental Policy Implementation, and he also served as the Regional Director for West Africa, and later Acting Director General of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

Event details

• Tuesday, Sept. 26
• Noon: Student lunch and fireside chat, Honors Village Room 1068—students only
• 4:30pm: Keynote & reception, Center for Creative Photography, 1030 N Olive Road—open to all
• RSVP now (highly recommended due to limited seating)

University Libraries Diversity, Social Justice & Equity Council

Charged with developing a sustainable and holistic approach to advancing diversity and inclusion for the Libraries through internal programming and assessment, the council also advises leadership, and campus and community outreach. Our commitment to diversity and inclusivity includes cross-promoting Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) campus events – sponsored by and coordinated by – many different colleges, departments, groups, and DEI committees.