Preview: Diversity and Inclusion Week- "Let's Talk: Listen, Learn and Lead"

The College of Communication and Information at the University of Tennessee will host its ninth annual Diversity and Inclusion Week Sept. 24-27 with the theme “Let’s Talk: Listen, Learn and Lead.”

The week will consist of daily panel discussions, two keynote speakers and will end with the CCI Diversity Festival.

This year’s keynote sessions include speaker Alison Bethel McKenzie, the Society of Professional Journalists executive director, and the keynote panel “Listen, Learn & Lead: Perspectives from UT Student Athletes.”

Earlier this year, a Society of Professional Journalists article announced that McKenzie would take over as the 20th executive director and the first African-American to hold the position. McKenzie is also the second woman to ever hold the position, only preceded by Vivian E. Vahlberg who served from 1987 to 1990. She previously served five years as executive director for the International Press Institute. McKenzie’s keynote session will be in the Patrick Auditorium in CCI from 5-6 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 24.

The second keynote session will include a panel of student athletes. John Fulkerson, Cheridene Green, Lamonte Turner and Grant Williams will discuss their perspective on the year’s theme. This will also be in the Patrick Auditorium from 5:45-6:45 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 26.

Finally, the CCI Diversity Festival will wrap up the week in the CCI lobby and patio on Thursday, Sept. 27 from 5-7 p.m. All of campus is invited to meet all CCI student organizations, play games, enjoy cultural performances, diverse music and more.

All events are open to the public and free to attend, as well as being streamed online.

Check out the the hashtag #CCIDiversityWeek on social media for updates about the week’s events.

Visit the CCI webpage for a schedule of events.

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Edited by Chelsea Babin