The University Libraries' Diversity, Social Justice and Equity Council is charged with developing a sustainable and holistic approach to advancing diversity and inclusion for the Libraries through internal programming and assessment, advisement to 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. A few DEI events happening this month are listed below.

Heritage Healing Practices Speaker Series: Respecting Traditional Herbal Medicine, Jan. 25

• Wednesday, Jan. 25, 3-4pm
• Location: Virtual
• Shakira Franklyn, multifaceted nurse healer and herbalist, will provide an overview of traditional herbal medicine and cultural connections from Africa to the Americas, and share lessons learned from field experiences with indigenous plant medicine specialists in Africa, Jamaica, Guatemala, and Costa Rica. The importance of plant medicine in the context of culture, health and spirituality will be explored. Franklyn has leveraged more than 25 years of experience as a healthcare professional, and cultivated her passion for holistic nursing practice and cultural understanding. Franklyn served as visiting midwifery faculty in Liberia. She was honored and named as the 2016-2017 fellow in Global Clinical Education.
• Sponsored by the Health Sciences Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
• More information/event registration

Black Faculty Speaker Series: Ruha Benjamin, PhD, Jan. 25 – Event is full/registration is closed

• Wednesday, Jan. 25, 5pm
• Location: Health Sciences Innovation Building (HSIB) – Main Floor
• Ruha Benjamin, PhD is a professor of African American studies at Princeton University, founding director of the Ida B. Wells JUST Data Lab, author of Viral Justice (2022), Race After Technology (2019), and People’s Science (2013), and editor of Captivating Technology (2019). "I write, teach, and speak widely about the relationship between innovation and inequity, knowledge and power, race and citizenship, health and justice."
• Supported by Faculty Affairs, funded by the Office of the President, and organized by a sub-committee of the Black Faculty Affinity Group including:
  • Dr. Mamadou Baro, Chair of BARA, Associate Professor, School of Anthropology
  • Dr. Amy Kraehe, Associate Professor, School of Art, Associate Vice President, Equity in the Arts
  • Dr. Tarnia Newton, Assistant Clinical Professor, College of Nursing
  • Dr. gloria j. wilson, Associate Professor, School of Art, Co-Director – Racial Justice Studio
• More information about the series

Global Health Alliance Discussion: White Savior Complex and Decolonizing Global Health Research, Jan. 27

• Friday, Jan. 27, 1-2pm
• Location: Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, Drachman Hall in Room A119 or virtual via Zoom link
• Dr. Purnima Madhivanan will facilitate a discussion on the process of decolonizing research, and how to avoid "White Savior Complex." Dr. Madhivanan is an Associate Professor with tenure in the Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health. She holds joint appointments in the College of Medicine, and Bio5 Institute, and is a member of the Cancer Center. For the last 20 years, Dr. Madhivanan’s research has focused on disadvantaged populations, specifically, the impact on women and children living in rural communities. See Dr. Madhivanan’s bio.
• Sponsored by the Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health/University of Arizona Health Sciences
• More information (no registration required)