Carson-Newman to celebrate Social Justice Week

Carson-Newman has designated the week of January 21 as Social Justice Week on campus. Coordinated by C-N’s Bonner Center, Diversity Committee, and Campus Ministries, the week will feature several events that will help bring social issues to light for both campus and the community.

Reneé Dudley, logistics coordinator for the Bonner Center, says the week helps to bring a lot of things into focus. “We want to continue the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.,” explained Dudley. “He was an advocate for social change, and we don’t want to lose that.”

Monday, January 21, 10:30 a.m. – Noon, Dandridge

Members of the campus community will join the Jefferson County community in a MLK march that will begin at the town’s dike. This year’s theme is “Rebuilding the Dream.”

Tuesday, January 22, 9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m., First Baptist Church, Jefferson City

Carson-Newman will host Tina Sloan Green for its Tuesday chapel service. Green is the co-founder and president of the Black Women in Sport Foundation. She also serves as professor emeritus in the College of Education at Temple University. She was the first African-American head coach in the history of women’s intercollegiate lacrosse. She led Temple to three National Championships and 11 consecutive NCAA Final Four appearances.

Wednesday, January 23, 11:00 a.m., C-N’s Stokely Memorial Cafeteria

The community is invited for a lunch discussion that will focus on social issues. The event will also feature the opportunity to respond throughout the discussion via Twitter feeds. Cost for public admission is $7.90 and includes lunch.

Thursday, January 24, 7:30 p.m., C-N’s Gentry Auditorium

Carson-Newman will host the premier of “Refuge Film: Children of the Trash.” The film, created by students Jared Belcher, Adam Collins, Jamison Price, Laken Kimsey, and Mikey Oppizzi, explores the extreme poverty conditions faced by children in the Philippines. The project reveals the struggles of children by helping tell their stories through their families, social workers and teachers, while also sharing the power of hope.

Friday, January 25, 8:00 p.m. – midnight, The Creek Café, 110A E Old Andrew Johnson Hwy., Jefferson City.

A Global Coffee House will provide an informal back drop as C-N’s Jared Belcher shares additional insight behind the Refuge film project. There will be a time for questions and answers concerning the film, the Philippines, or poverty in general. The event will also feature an open mic format allowing guests to share through poetry and music.

For more information contact C-N’s Bonner Center at 865-471-3594.