On Nov. 12
October 28, 2009
Bowling
Green, Ky. - Dr. Johnnetta B. Cole, scholar, author and activist for social and economic justice, will 
deliver the first lecture in Western Kentucky University’s 2009-2010 Diversity Series.
Dr. Cole, a former president of the two historically black colleges serving women in the United States, will discuss “The Case for Diversity and Inclusion in American Higher Education” at 7 p.m. Nov. 12 at Mass Media and Technology Hall Auditorium.
Dr. Cole was the first female African American president of Spelman College in Atlanta, the first woman elected to the Board of Coca-Cola Enterprises and the first African American woman to serve as a Chair of The Board of The United Way. She also served as president of Bennett College for Women in Greensboro, N.C.
She now chairs the Johnnetta B. Cole Global Diversity & Inclusion Institute at Bennett College, which partners with academic institutions, businesses, corporations, civic and community organizations, government leaders and their agencies and a variety of global thought leaders who continue to make the study and advancement of diversity their life’s work.
A native of Jacksonville, Fla., she entered Fisk University at age 15 through the school’s early admissions program. She completed her undergraduate degree at Oberlin College and earned a master’s and doctorate in anthropology from Northwestern University.
The 2009-2010 Diversity Series is sponsored by WKU’s Diversity Enhancement Committee in collaboration with the Office of Diversity Programs. The series will feature a variety of events, programs and activities to learn about and promote awareness about social, cultural and other forms of diversity.
Upcoming events in the Diversity Series include a Feb. 8 workshop on “Knowing Our Students and Ourselves: Teaching Diversity & Social Justice,” facilitated by Dr. Maurianne Adams; a March 30 lecture by author Tim Wise; and an April 19-20 workshop on “Developing Multicultural Competence for Your Campus Community,” facilitated by JoAnn Moody.
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For information, contact Monica Burke at (270) 745-4953.
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