NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Despite gaps in income based on race, ethnicity and sex beginning to close slowly but surely during the last quarter of the 20th century, academic experts say disparities in wealth between racial groups now may actually be increasing.
Vanderbilt and Fisk universities have teamed up to look at race and wealth disparities in the United States and beyond on Friday, Aug. 25, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at joint events to be held on both campuses. The event is free and open to the public. However, reservations are required for the daylong conference and can be made by calling 615-322-2524 or sending an e-mail to veleashia.m.smith@vanderbilt.edu. The deadline for reservations is Monday, Aug. 21.
The conference will give scholars, students and community members the opportunity to discuss questions such as: What is wealth and does wealth consist only of material things or does it also include access to education and the ability to control one’s own culture? Also to be discussed are matters such as: When did disparities in wealth based on race begin and what keeps them in place?, and What is the role of universities in helping to eliminate wealth disparities and how do Vanderbilt and Fisk fit into this issue in Nashville?
The event begins at 9 a.m. with a breakfast and panel discussion at Fisk University’s Race Relations Institute. Fisk and Vanderbilt professors will present papers on the topic from a variety of perspectives.
At noon, the program moves to Vanderbilt University’s Bishop Joseph Johnson Black Cultural Center for a lunch during which attendees will have a chance to talk with professors and students from both universities.
At 1 p.m., Fisk University Provost Kofi Lomotey and Vanderbilt University Vice Chancellor for University Affairs David Williams will present a conversation on race and wealth disparities using Fisk and Vanderbilt as examples. Following Lomotey’s and Williams’ talk, representatives from Nashville’s various chambers of commerce will discuss the role of universities in local development, and specifically Fisk’s and Vanderbilt’s impact on Nashville’s economic development. Community members will have an opportunity to join the discussion with chamber of commerce representatives.
For more news about Vanderbilt, visit VUCast – Vanderbilt’s News Network at www.vanderbilt.edu/news.
Media Contact: Princine Lewis, 615-322-NEWS
princine.l.lewis@vanderbilt.edu