Dr. Cornel West, a renowned educator, philosopher, author and activist, is the next guest of Rick Najera’s live nationally acclaimed interview series, Latino Thought Makers, at 6:30 p.m. Friday, October 22nd, in Morton College’s Jedlicka Performing Arts Center, 3801 S. Central Avenue, Cicero. The event is free and open to the public. Complimentary tickets are available on Eventbrite.
As part of Morton College’s ongoing commitment to celebrate diversity and inclusion, the theme of this important conversation with Dr. West is called, “Reimagining Unity: Past, Present, Future.” This conversation will be moderated by Dr. Jamillah Moore, Vice President of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management for San Francisco State University.
The Latino Thought Makers series at Morton College features four separate, live, sit-down interviews and personal conversations in Morton College’s Jedlicka Performing Arts Center stage hosted by Najera, who taps into his network of influential and inspirational Latinos and Latinas in Hollywood. This show also will be featured at the upcoming HACU annual national conference, which takes place October 25th to 27th.
Dr. Cornel West is former Professor of the Practice of Public Philosophy at Harvard University and Professor Emeritus at Princeton University. Cornel West graduated Magna Cum Laude from Harvard in three years and obtained his M.A. and Ph.D. in Philosophy at Princeton. He has authored 20 books and edited 13 and is best known for his classics, Race Matters, Democracy Matters and for his memoire, Brother West: Living and Loving Out Loud, and his most recent book, Black Prophetic Fire, which offers an unflinching look at 19TH and 20TH century African American leaders and their visionary legacies.
Dr. West is the co-host along with Dr. Tricia Rose of The Tight Rope, a weekly podcast where they take time to welcome listeners and guests as thought collaborators with revered hosts and public intellectuals. Dr. West is a frequent guest on the Bill Maher Show, CNN, C-Span and Democracy Now.
He has a passion to communicate to a vast variety of publics in order to keep alive the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. – a legacy of telling the truth and bearing witness to love and justice.
Latino Thought Makers builds bridges of understanding in cultural diversity through personal and comedic dialogue and showcases critical thinking as it relates to entertainment and education and provides the audience an opportunity to be a part of a greater dialogue and motivational story-telling experience.
“Latino Thought Makers’ purpose is to build bridges of understanding between all people,” said Rick Najera. “I’m honored to be on the same stage with Dr. Cornel West and Dr. Jamillah Moore for this important conversation.
The author of five critically acclaimed books, Najera has also written for film and television for more than 20 years in Hollywood and performed on Broadway in New York in his self-written stage play, Latinologues, directed by comedy legend Cheech Marin.
Dr. Jamillah Moore currently serves as the Vice President of Student Enrollment and Academic Affairs at San Francisco State University, an award-winning institution located in the heart of San Francisco. Dr. Moore is a native Californian, and holds two degrees from California State University, Sacramento – a Bachelor of Arts in Communication and a Masters in Intercultural Communication and Public Policy. She earned a Doctorate from the University of San Francisco in International and Multicultural Education
Dr. Moore’s background also includes teaching and research in the area of educational access and equity with a primary focus on student success for minority and low-income students. She has consulted on education policy issues with college systems and policymaking organizations in California and Washington, DC. She has testified in front of local governments and the state legislature. As a former California State Senate Fellow, legislative staffer and consultant to the Senate Select Committee on Higher Education Admissions and Outreach. Dr. Moore has written policy as well as advocated and fundraised on behalf of California students. She was a member of the policy team that advocated for admission in the local context for the University of California. With an educational career spanning more than 25 years, Dr. Moore has become known for her passion on educational excellence, commitment to students, strategic leadership, and tackling difficult issues. Dr. Moore has a reputation for leveraging collaborative partnerships with public and private organizations, enabling students, faculty,and staff to cross institutional boundaries and engage in innovative instruction to ensure student success.
Latino Thought Makers will also be broadcast live via Morton College’s Facebook page and YouTube channel.
Latino Thought Makers with special guest Dr. Cornel West will take place on Friday, October 22nd 2021 at 6:30pm, live at Morton College’s Jedlicka Performing Arts Center, 3801 S Central Ave, Cicero, IL 60804. Parking is free and available on campus. The event is complimentary and open to the public; RSVP via Eventbrite.
For more information on Latino Thought Makers, please visit www.morton.edu/latino-thought-makers/. Follow Morton College’s Facebook page for the announcement of future guests and shows.