Graduate Students, Staff, Faculty
The 23rd annual Dr. William G. Anderson Lecture Series, Slavery to Freedom: An American Odyssey is coming up quickly. This series has long brought incredible speakers to Michigan State University and this year’s participants continue that tradition.
Joining for this year’s series are Dr. Tanisha Ford on February 1, 2024; M.C. Lyte on February 8, 2024; Rev. Dr. William J. Barber on February 15, 2024.
Another event has also been added on Wednesday, February 21, 2024; Love Got me Over: Singing to Freedom Live Concert Recording
Due to a collaboration with the MSU College of Nursing, we have a fourth speaker, Dr. Rani Whitfield on Friday, February 23, 2024.
- Dr. Tanisha Ford, author of four books relating to civil rights and Black culture, speaks on the intersection of politics, economics, and culture. She has received several awards and honors for her work. For example, she was named one of the Root’s 100 Most Influential African Americans. Her research has been supported by many institutions, including Ford Foundation, New America, and Emerson Collective, to name a few.
Registration: https://bit.ly/STFDrTanishaFordRegistration
- M.C. Lyte, an American rapper, DJ, actress, and entrepreneur. She is the first female of hip-hop’s emcees to release a solo album and tease a new podcast. She also opened doors for many to join what is now being celebrated as “50 Years of Hip Hop.” She recently received the, “I Am Hip Hop” Lifetime Achievement Award from BET and was also honored at the VH1 Hip Hop Honors. She is also the most recognizable pioneer across generations.
Registration: https://bit.ly/STFMCLyteRegistration
- Rev. Dr. William J. Barber, president and senior lecturer of Repairers of the Breach, Co-chair of the Poor People’s Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival, Bishop of The Fellowship of Affirming Ministries, Pastor of Greenleaf Christian Church, Goldsboro, NC for past 29 years, and Professor in the Practice of Public Theology and Public Policy and Founding Director of the Center for Public Theology and Public policy at Yale Divinity School. He has authored four books regarding morality and social justice.
Registration: https://bit.ly/STFRevDrBarberRegistration
- Love Got me Over: Singing to Freedom Live Concert Recording, Don’t miss this night of live band performances, storytelling, and Black history in collaboration with the MSU College of Music and the MSU Gospel Choir, led by Phoenix Miranda, Caleb Robinson and Rashun Watson.
Registration: https://bit.ly/STFMusicEventRegistration
- Dr. Rani Whitfield, highly accomplished Board-Certified Family Physician specializing in sports medicine. Identifying community wellness as a freedom movement, Dr. Whitfield’s talk will focus on Black Men’s Health. He is widely recognized for his advocacy work, serving as a national spokesperson for the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association. He has earned numerous awards, including the ASA Southeastern Affiliates Service Award, the American Stroke Association Legacy Award and the NAACP Freedom Award.
Registration: https://bit.ly/STFDrRaniWhitfieldRegistration
This year’s series will be hybrid in nature—offering two options for attendance. For those who are able to join in-person, we are excited to host you on Michigan State University’s campus as we celebrate Black histories and futures. For those who choose to join us virtually, each presentation will also be livestreamed (with the exception of the music event, which will not be streamed). These events are free and open to all. We just ask that you register using the links above.
Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call (517) 432-4979 or email breedlov@msu.edu.
