Grace College invites the public to attend its panel discussion entitled, “The Black Panther Franchise: Love, Solidarity, Critique,” featuring from left Cokiesha Bailey Robinson, associate dean of student diversity and inclusion, Dr. Cesar Soto, assistant professor of world literature and Denise Lewis, assistant professor of online graduate counseling. Photo provided.

News Release

WINONA LAKE — Grace College invites the public to attend its panel discussion entitled, “The Black Panther Franchise: Love, Solidarity, Critique,” at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 9, in Westminster East Banquet Hall.

Dr. Jared Burkholder, history and political science program director at Grace will moderate the discussion, and the panelists will include Cokiesha Bailey Robinson, associate dean of student diversity and inclusion, Dr. Cesar Soto, assistant professor of world literature and Denise Lewis, assistant professor of online graduate counseling.

“Black History Month is important because it challenges us to wrestle with a cluster of important topics that many of us might not otherwise think much about,” said Burkholder. “When it comes to topics such as race, colonialism and representation, history is of course a part of all of this. But film and the arts have a unique means of bringing these issues to people in compelling and provoking ways.”

According to Burkholder, the event will invite all in attendance to consider the Academy award-winning ‘Black Panther’ franchise in light of historical topics and also consider its effectiveness in regard to representation.

“Our panelists will each bring academic, personal and faith-informed perspectives to these topics in a way that promises to be an engaging discussion,” said Burkholder. “This will be an evening that you don’t want to miss!”

In addition to the panel discussion, Grace College is hosting a number of other events for Black History Month for students as well as the local community.

At 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 2, the school is hosting a student-led program in McClain Auditorium. At 6 p.m. Monday, Feb. 13, Grace will hold a Diversity Chat in McClain 107, and at 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 28, Associate Dean of Student Diversity and Inclusion Cokiesha Bailey Robinson is hosting a reading of “Dancing in the Darkness, Spiritual Lessons for Thriving in Turbulent Times,” written by Dr. Otis Moss III.

“I’m looking forward to making our African American students feel loved and appreciated here on campus,” said Jenny Montoya, a senior at Grace who serves as the director of the Council for Diversity and Inclusion. “CDI hosts events for the heritage months of each affinity group on campus as a way for us to learn more about different cultures. It’s always so encouraging to see the joy in students’ eyes when we are celebrating their culture.”