Transformation and Social Change: The Power of Storytelling

Tuesday, April 12th, 12:00pm – Session 2

With Dr. Krishnakali Majumdar

Drawing inspiration from Carole McGranahan’s claim that storytelling is a theoretical strategy in anthropology, I discuss how anthropology as a discipline is about storytelling where the stories are transformational in intent, and the mission is relativizing: your way is not the only way to think and see the world around you. As anthropologists, we tell stories of others’ stories, stories that transform everything in the way we view ourselves in relation to the world. We learn about others’ stories by “storylistening”, talking to people. As we listen, we begin to straddle both the insider and outsider status; and we are transformed. This is the revolutionary potential of anthropology, the “wakefulness” as Edward Said calls it.

Biography of the presenter:

Krishnakali (Kali) Majumdar, Ph.D. is professor of Anthropology and Sociology at Lansing Community College. She joined the faculty in 2013, previously teaching Anthropology at Ferris State University. She holds her doctorate in anthropology from Michigan State University and her bachelors in biology from Miranda House, University of Delhi, India.

Mental Health Is Human Health

Tuesday, April 12th, 2:00pm – Session 3

With Louise Rabidoux, Melissa Kaplan, and Barb Clauer

April 12th WebEx Sessions

There are many obstacles to getting mental health care: access, stigma, and fear to name a few. This workshop starts with an overview of these issues, then we’ll watch Please Stay: A Call for Suicide and Depression Awareness, an artistic program with contributions from LCC students and faculty. We’ll conclude with a chance to ask questions and an activity to creatively respond in our own words.

Biography of the presenters:

Barb Clauer, Lansing Community College English Professor since 2001, is founder/director of the LCC Community-Generated Poetry Project. In 2017 she was inspired by a poetry conference session and created what evolved into the LCC Poetry Project. Barb sees this as a culmination of decades of classroom teaching, and her world view at the core of her own teaching and learning: working collaboratively, being open, lifting up each others’ voices, and really listening to what emerges.

Melissa Kaplan (she/her) has produced dozens of plays, concerts, and events in her almost 20 years at LCC, dozens of educational videos during the previous 15 years as a media producer/manager, and currently develops and facilitates interdisciplinary projects at LCC as Academic and Arts Outreach Coordinator in the Business, Communication and the Arts Department. Melissa is host of LCC Connect’s Galaxy Forum podcast on WLNZ 89.7 FM, creator/content curator of Arts Connect @ LCC, and is very proud to be part of the Please Stay: A Call for Suicide and Depression Awareness creative team with Jon Ten Brink, Rob Edwards, Barb Clauer, Louise Rabidoux, Layne Ingram, and the many other contributors.
Louise Rabidoux is a licensed professional counselor who has provided comprehensive student support at LCC for nearly 24 years. Most rewarding for her is assisting students: in identifying concerns, developing strengths and coping skills, and achieving academic and personal success. Her special Counseling interests are Grief and Loss, Sexual Assault, Relationship Violence, Depression and Anxiety, Coping with Change, Developmental Challenges, and Post-Traumatic Stress. She is an LGBTQ+ ally and a member of the LCC Behavioral Intervention Team (BIT). Louise holds a Master of Arts in Counseling from Michigan State University, a Bachelor of Social Work from Western Michigan University, and is a Nationally Certified Counselor (NCC) through the National Board for Certified Counselors. “I strive to create a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment to help students explore their goals, feelings, and behaviors. I believe that everyone is the author of their own story, and that counseling helps clients discover their authentic narrative.”

Sunday Morning Gossip: Storytelling Strategies for Personal Brand Management

Tuesday, April 12th, 4:00pm – Session 4

With Zakiya Minifee

April 12th WebEx Sessions

Who was everyone talking about after Saturday’s party? What do your friends say about you when you aren’t in the room? Good, bad, or otherwise – people are going to talk about you, they are going to share stories or characteristics that make you unique and identifiable to others. This presentation will teach us not to ignore the gossip, but instead influence the information being shared so it’s more aligned with our true identities and personal brands.
Biography of the presenter:
Zakiya Minifee hails from East Lansing, Michigan but has recently relocated to Chicago, Illinois. While studying history and interpersonal communication at Oakland University, Zakiya was also a member of the division I women’s basketball team. She’s an avid lover of travel, live music, and good storytelling in all its mediums. Monday through Friday she’s a principal business manager at AT&T, but you can always catch her hunting down the best live set in the city, snuggling up to a good book with her cat Kevin, or devouring too much black garlic ice cream.

Tuesday Welcoming Session – 9:30am to 10am AND Session 1 – 10am to 11:30am

Finding Your Passion through Podcasting

with Layne Ingram and Dr. Steve Robinson

If you have a message to share or a passion for raising awareness about an issue, podcasting is a fantastic vehicle to spread information. In this session, Layne Ingram, creator of The Reconstructed Man Podcast and Dr. Steve Robinson, LCC President & Podcast Host, take you through the WHY and HOW of Podcasting by sharing their very personal reasons for launching their projects and how they did it. Join for a fun and engaging session that will include an episode breakdown, Case Study and an interactive opportunity to pitch a podcast. Both hosts share real tips, tools and tactics to get started on your podcast project.

Additional Materials:

The Reconstructed Man podcast – https://www.thereconstructedman.com/

Teachable Moment podcast – https://www.lcc.edu/lccpresident/teachable-moment.html

LCC Alumni Stories podcast- https://www.lcc.edu/lccpresident/alumni-stories.html

#EndCCStigma podcast – https://www.stitcher.com/show/endccstigma

Biography of the Presenters:

Layne Ingram is the Special Projects Coordinator-Office of the President, and the head women’s basketball coach at Lansing Community College. A former collegiate and professional basketball player, Layne is a Transgender man and an LGBTQ+ advocate. He graduated from the University of Michigan in 2002 with his bachelor’s in communication, holds a Master of Science in Leadership from Central Michigan University, and has worked in the non-profit, professional sports and higher education sectors. Layne is also an accomplished public speaker and national presenter with a passion for raising awareness of and supporting the Trans community, specifically youth and teens. He is a strong advocate for people being exactly who they are and living their lives as authentically as they can.

Dr. Steve Robinson became the seventh president of Lansing Community College on July 20, 2020. His community college career has spanned every aspect of teaching, learning, planning, management and organizational operations. Prior to being named president in a national search, he previously served as president at Owens Community College. During his tenure, he led the college through a serious financial crisis, placing the institution on sound fiscal footing. Before joining Owens, Robinson served as Executive Dean of Planning and Research at Mott Community College in Flint, Michigan. He has over 23 years of Michigan community college experience. At four-year institutions, he served as a member of the graduate faculty in English at the University of Michigan-Flint. He also served as a chair and faculty advisor in the Doctorate in Community College Leadership (DCCL) program at Ferris State University, as well as the Doctoral Program in Higher Education at the University of Toledo. Read More

Tuesday Session 2 – 12:00pm to 1:30pm

The Politics of Grace in a Cancel Culture World

with Brad Hicks

Forgiveness is a very misunderstood and mis-applied discipline in our culture. Until we understand that one cannot fully forgive until one has fully condemned an offender, we are not pursuing the justice and restorative principles emphasized in the exercise of grace. In a cancel culture age, how can we rightly condemn the offences around us (past and present) while also restore justice in our communities? The answer may be found in the age-old virtues of grace and forgiveness.

Biography of the Presenter:

Brad Hicks is a faculty member in both the Religion and Philosophy programs. Prior to teaching, Brad graduated from U of M and worked as a patient care advocate in the healthcare industry. He is a former Protestant pastor who served in Michigan and Hong Kong (China) churches.

Tuesday Session 3 – 2:00pm to 3:30pm

Redlining and the Generational Wealth Gap

with Colleen Thomas

A primary contributor to the modern wealth gap in America has been the systemic racism embodied in discriminatory housing and lending practices in America. With the GI Bill following WWII fueling the growth of White suburban communities (with accompanying economic benefits), we find pre-WWII redlining policies continuing to the detriment of non-White citizens, many who fought for this country. Today, the generational wealth gap created in our past continues to be a significant barrier to equity and justice in our communities.

Biography of the Presenter:

Colleen Thomas recently joined the faculty of LCC as an Assistance Professor of Math. She is passionate about issues of equity and social justice, especially in areas of education. She loves engaging in meaningful discussion to learn more from others and share her passion in creating equitable opportunities for students and community members.

Tuesday Session 4 – 4:00pm to 5:30pm

Boarding Schools: History, Cultural Knowledge, and the Impact on American Education

with Melinda Hernandez

Boarding Schools took Indigenous children from homes by governmental force. Children’s hair was cut and clothes burned with language and religion forbidden for the purpose of the assimilation of Native Peoples (English and Christian only policy). The result of the US Boarding School policy robbed generations of their health, traditions, and sovereignty. As Boarding Schools have shaped the way Indigenous people see American education, it is important that America understands the impact on this policy today on the Indigenous population.

Tuesday Session 5 – 6:00pm to 7:30pm

Illegal Airwaves

with Roosevelt Belton Jr.

How pirate radio stations and their DJs transformed the UK’s black music industry.

Biography of the Presenter:

Roosevelt Belton Jr. has close to ten years’ experience on FM radio in the Metro-Detroit area. He hosts his weekly program, The Friday NightGroove, on 88.3 WXOU FM and has served as an associate producer for 101.9 WDET FM. He’s a two-time graduate of Oakland University, with a Bachelor’s in Psychology (2013) and a Master’s Degree in Communication (2015).

Monday Welcoming Session – 9:30am to 10am AND Session 1 – 10am to 11:30am

This will be the opening session of the Fall 2021 Take a Stand/Sit In.

Come join us for a general introduction to the event and opening comments and then stick around for:

Creating Culture: Chopped and Looped (Production, & Rap Workshop)

hosted by James Gardin

Creating culture doesn’t usually consist of creating something that never existed. There’s always some sort of inspiration or source material that acts as the building blocks. All of the Above Hiphop Academy follows a motto of “ Old School Appreciation with New School application. We believe that whether you’re creating community, a beat, or a song, the things you need to create it are usually there.

From this Session you will

Learn a brief history of sampling
Have an opportunity to create something new from something old
Learn more about AOTA
Have an opportunity to share

We believe there is beautiful art and a movement waiting to happen inside of you. All you have to do is look back at what’s been poured into you add what you’ve learned and figure out what you want to chop , sample, and loop to make a brand new jam.

Biography of the Presenter:

James Gardin has used his empowering rhymes, fun melodies, energetic stage presence, and deft fashion sense to have successful 15 year + career. His sound has been inspired by Kirk Franklin, Kanye West, Bill Withers, and has a sound akin to Kanye West, Chance The Rapper, Anderson Paak, and Childish Gambino. He has performed hundreds of shows around the world, amassed millions of plays and downloads with coverage on top web sites, publications, and radio (HipHopDX, Earmilk, DJ Booth, Paste, The Word Is Bond, Rapzilla, Lansing State Journal, Grungecake, Respect Mag, Sphere of Hip-Hop, USA Today and many more.).

He has also had sync licensing placements with Tommy Hilfiger , Apple, T- Mobile, Square, Spotify, ESPN, , GaryVee TV, and Black&SexyTV. He has also shared the booth and the stage with artists such as Grieves, Macklemore, Dessa, Murs, Jack Harlow, Talib Kweli, Astronautalis, KING, and many more. James uses his art and message to inspire all those around him to live their life fully, and encounter their purpose daily.

Website:

http://supercleanjames.com

and recordings:

https://www.jamesgardin.com/#new-ep

Monday Session 2 – 12:00pm to 1:30pm

The Moment You Become A Refugee

with Joshua Alan Ehm, Elizabeth Clifford

What is it like to face persecution from your own government and to start your life over in a new country? Joshua Ehm, of LCC, will share his story of being a refugee, a story soon to be published by Simon and Schuster (Becoming Joshua co-authored by Tammy Vaugn). Also, Joshua and Elizabeth Clifford will discuss how we can build bridges to people in need around us be they refugees, the homeless or other groups uprooted from everyday life. How can you help others on a refugee journey?

Biography of the presenter:

Joshua Ehm came to the USA in July 2014 as a refugee. In 2015, he enrolled at LCC to learn English but soon he realized LCC had much more to offer than just learning English. In 2019 he graduated from LCC and transferred to MSU. He has been a part time employee in Learning Commons since 2018, working primarily with second language students.