Past Events

On Tuesday, November 9, 2021,  the Roberson Project hosted a panel where experts in Philosophy, History, and Economics amongst Sewanee faculty discussed Black reparations within their discipline and what reparations can look like at the university level. The panel consisted of Dr. Mark Hopwood (Philosophy), Dr. Matthew Mitchell (History) and Dr. Katherine Theyson (Economics). Dr. Woody Register, director of the Roberson Project moderated. 

On Thursday, October 28th, from 3:15 to 4:30 pm in Hargrove Auditorium Ebonee Davis of Virginia Theological Seminary and Miles Aceves-Lewis of Georgetown University discussed reparations programs at their respective institutions. They explained where those programs are now, assess their program's impact, and share their thoughts on the importance of student activism. The panel was moderated by the Rev. Dr. Benjamin King, Professor of Christian History at the School of Theology and Working Group Member of the Roberson Project.

On October 13, 2021, the Roberson Project on Slavery, Race, & Reconciliation along with the Sewanee Department of Athletics hosted a viewing of a documentary trailer and a Q&A with its subjects, Jimmie Lee Kirkpatrick and H. D. Kirkpatrick. Their story assisted students, staff, and faculty in their understanding of the legacies of slavery and racial injustice in American life.

Additional information about the Kirkpatricks can be found on the web: A very concise amount with details is available here and their oral histories can be found here. 

On September 28, 2021, the Roberson Project on Slavery, Race, and Reconciliation and Sewanee Spoken Word hosted an open mic night to challenge racism through music, poetry, and stories. It was Emceed by Sewanee Sophomore Michaela James-Thrower. 

On September 22, 2021, students, staff, and faculty had a front porch dialogue to talk about the many buildings and places on our campus that are named for Confederates, Slaveowners, or Defenders of the ”Lost Cause.” They discussed the questions: what should we do about these memorials to men who fought to preserve a civilization of bondage? Or memorials to those who were outspoken in their belief in White Supremacy? 

On September 15, 2021,  Dr. Michelle Caswell, Professor of Archival Studies in the Department of Information Studies at the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), one of the most compelling voices in archival theory, shared a disruptive critique of dominant Western narratives about the aims and purposes of historical archives. Dr. Caswell contended that traditional archival practices are designed to be oppressive. She advocated for alternative methods and practices that members of minority communities can be used to create independent archives that build ties within communities and disrupt cycles of oppression. Archives cannot be neutral, Dr. Caswell argued. Instead of trying to make them so, Dr. Caswell urged us to  focus on making archives catalysts of liberation. 

This talk launched the new Participatory History and Archiving Project, with the Roberson Project, Centre College, Fisk University, Rollins College, University of Richmond, and Washington & Lee University. The project is funded by a diversity and inclusion grant from the Associated Colleges of the South and a Legacies of American Slavery grant from the Council of Independent Colleges. 

The Roberson Project on Slavery, Race, and Reconciliation invited community members to the third St. Mark's Community history reunion, devoted to celebrating and preserving the history of African Americans in Sewanee. It took place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, September 4, 2021. 

Monday, March 9, 2020 at 4:30 University Art Gallery. This is the first in a series of dialogues about Sewanee residence halls named for Confederate figures. Come to learn about Stephen Elliott and dialogue about what it means to live or work in these spaces! Co-sponsored by the Roberson Project, Residential Life, & Dialogue Across Difference

A Lecture by Kirt von Daacke, Professor of History, The University of Virginia Thursday, February 27, 2020 at 7:30 p.m. The Founders Ballroom, The Sewanee Inn. Sponsored by Southern Studies, The Roberson Project on Slavery, Race and Reconciliation, and the University Lectures Committee

Film Screening, February 26 at 5PM in Guerry Auditorium Panel Discussion on Mass Incarceration, February 27 at 6PM in Guerry Auditorium Co-Sponsored by the Sewanee NAACP, Office of Multicultural Affairs, Office of Civic Engagement, and 213-A Leaders Program

Continuing the conversation from Dr. Glancy's lecture. Monday, February 17 at 4:30 in the EQB House.

This lecture by Dr. Jennifer Glancy was held on February 5, 2020 in Gailor Auditorium. Watch a recording of this lecture on our YouTube channel!

November 11 4:30-6PM Convocation Hall A conversation about reparations and Sewanee

Held on November 5-7 in Sewanee, Tennessee

"Slavery & the Old School Tie: Shouldering Responsibility for Alma Mater’s Role in the Slave Trade" was held on September 23, 2019 in Convocation Hall. Watch a recording of this lecture on our YouTube channel!