Annual Zankel forum to explore "Obama Effect"

One year after the election of the nation's first African-American president, Skidmore College will offer the opportunity to hear from two scholars of American society on the impact of this historic election. Titled "The Obama Effect and the Diversity Experience in a 'Post-Racial' America," the event will take place on Wednesday, Nov. 4, beginning at 6 p.m. in Gannett Auditorium of Palamountain Hall on the Skidmore campus.

Ashcraft

As the annual Zankel forum at the college, the talk is open to the public free of charge. The series was established at Skidmore in 2001 in honor of the late Skidmore parent, donor, and trustee Arthur Zankel. The forums serve to foster the discussion of management and business issues from a broad societal and ethical perspective.

The event will feature Karen Ashcraft, professor of organizational communications at the University of Colorado at Boulder, and Winston Grady-Willis, associate professor of American studies and director of intercultural studies at Skidmore College. The discussion will be moderated by Pushkala Prasad, Skidmore's Zankel Professor of Management for Liberal Arts Students.

"This election has been hailed as a watershed event, launching us into the so-called 'post-racial' era in which some believe that Dr. Martin Luther King's dreams will be perfectly realized," said Prasad.  "We need to take a realistic look at the situation. Our two speakers will candidly assess the 'Obama effect' on multiple walks of life, including the media, the workplace, and educational institutions."

Ashcraft, in addition to teaching at the University of Colorado, is an associate editor for the international journal Human Relations. Her research examines occupational identities and organizational structures, with an emphasis on gender, race, and power relationships in the workplace. She is co-author of the book Reworking Gender, which explores the contributions of feminist theory to the study of professional life. She is currently examining the work environment of commercial airline pilots.

	Grady-Willis

Grady-Willis, a scholar of African-American history, joined the Skidmore faculty in 2008 and is the college's first director of intercultural studies. His areas of teaching and scholarship include 20th-century African-American history, black feminist thought, and Southern African history. He is author of the book U.S. Apartheid: Atlanta and Black Struggles for Human Rights, 1960-1977. His recent articles and book chapters have focused on the Black Power movement, neighborhood activism, and the Black Panther Party.

The event is sponsored by the Zankel Professorship at Skidmore and the college's First-Year Experience and Department of Management and Business.

 

Tags: karen ashcraft, winston grady-willis, pushkala prasad