Gender Equity in Education Commons^™

Diversity Speaker Series: Donnell Collins, Angela Richardson

Speaker Series

A proud graduate of Northern Illinois University and East Aurora High School, Donnell has told stories of Aurora and beyond through the lens as a photojournalist for over 30 years, including the famous Rosa Parks photo taken here at IMSA in 1995. His works have also been featured in the Chicago Tribune, the Chicago Sun-Times, the Beacon News, and ESPN Magazine. Donnell is also a very proud IMSA parent and father of alum Kayla Collins Lightfoot, class of 2001! This event is brought to you by the IRC and Fine Arts Department.

The Hbcu Experience Panel : Why I Chose My Hbcu And How It Helped Me Prepare For My Career, Illinois Math And Science Academy, Angela Richardson

Educational Panels

Dr. Anita Connors White (Dean of Scholarship) - Panel Moderator

Angela Richardson (Information Resource Center, Supervisor)Event and Panel Coordinator

Panelists:

• Justin Alfred : Southern University and A&M College, Baton Rouge. Civil Engineering / Computer science. Lockheed Martin.
• Joseph Bertrand ‘20 : Alumni : North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, Associate Engineer at Caterpillar Inc.
• Darryl Burrell Jr. : Alumni :Morgan State University . Project manager at city of Pearland, Texas engineering and Public Works.
• Dr. Garry J. Kennebrew Jr. ‘04 : MAJ, US Army Reserve. Emergency Medicine Physician . Hospitals of Providence. University Medical Center of El Paso. Studied …

Hispanic Heritage Month 2025, Illinois Math And Science Academy

Cultural Read-Ins

See, I believe there are windows of hope in the present darkness of our current reality. As members of the IMSA community, we have a responsibility to find and open these windows of hope or build them if we must." -Convocation, 2021

Read-In Order

Opening Video    Dr. Torres's Retirement Video

Land Acknowledgement   Rodrigo Sanchez

Intro to Hispanic Heritage Month   Student Hosts

Remembrance Bio  Student Hosts

Tribute Performance     Poetic Justice

Introduction to Keynote  Student Hosts

Keynote Remarks  Ana Lizza Arroyo

Honor Dr. Torres's Memory   IMSA Community Members Past and Present

Community Readings    IMSA Community

The Hbcu Experience Why I Chose My Hbcu And How It Helped Me Prepare For My Career, Illinois Mathematics And Science Academy, Angela Richardson

Educational Panels

Panel/Event Coordinator: Angela Richardson

Moderated by: Dr. Anita White

Panelists:

• Justin Alfred : Southern University and A&M College, Baton Rouge. Civil Engineering / Computer science. Lockheed Martin.
• Joseph Bertrand ‘20 : Alumni : North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, Associate Engineer at Caterpillar Inc.
• Darryl Burrell Jr. : Alumni :Morgan State University . Project manager at city of Pearland, Texas engineering and Public Works.
• Dr. Garry J. Kennebrew Jr. ‘04 : Alumni :Morehouse College. Alumni Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine . Emergency medicine physician.
• Jai.da Lewis ‘15 : Alumni :Texas Southern University Chemistry. Owner, Poised Lips by …

Hispanic Heritage Month, Illinois Math And Science Academy

Cultural Read-Ins

Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with Alma Latina! Join Alma Latina for a day of delicious food, music, and cultural exploration as we honor the diverse heritage of Latin American countries.

The Hbcu Experience: Why I Chose My Hbcu And How It Helped Me Prepare For My Career, Illinois Mathematics And Science Academy, Angela Richardson

Educational Panels

Panel/Event Coordinator: Angela Richardson

Moderated by: Dr. Anita White

Panelists:

• Justin Alfred : Southern University and A&M College, Baton Rouge. Civil Engineering / Computer science. Lockheed Martin.
• Joseph Bertrand ‘20 : Senior at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, Greensboro, NC. Mechanical Engineering.
• Darryl Burrell Jr. : Morgan State University, Baltimore, MD.Civil Engineering. City of Houston,Houston Public Works.
• Dr. Garry J. Kennebrew Jr. ‘04 : Morehouse College, Atlanta BS Biology Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine.Doctorate in Medicine.
• Jaida Lewis ‘15 : Texas Southern University Chemistry. Owner, Poised Lips by Jai Program Coordinator, CVS Health.
• Ja’Nae …

2023 African American Read-In, Illinois Mathematics And Science Academy

Cultural Read-Ins

This event was co-sponsored by the Black Student Union (BSU), Peer Multicultural Educators (PME), Brotherhood Sister Circle (BHSC), Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, IRC, and the English and History/Social Science teams.

Guest speaker: Sam Adams; Current Magazines, featured columnist

The Hbcu Experience: Why I Chose My Hbcu And How It Helped Me Prepare For My Career, Illinois Mathematics And Science Academy

Educational Panels

Panel/Event Coordinator: Angela Richardson

Facilitated by: Dr. Anita White

Panelists:

• Justin Alfred | Southern University and A&M College, Baton Rouge
• Jayda Yancy ‘19 | North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University, Greensboro, NC
• Tony Richardson II | Southern University and A&M College, Baton Rouge
• Joseph Pollard | Tuskegee University, Tuskegee, Alabama
• Ja’Nae McGee | Southern University and A&M College, Baton Rouge
• Zoe Mitchell ‘19 | Xavier University, New Orleans
• Darryl Burrell Jr. | Morgan State University, Baltimore, MD
• Joseph Bertrand ‘20 | North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, Greensboro, NC
• Dr. Garry J. Kennebrew Jr. ‘04 | Morehouse College, …

2022 Disabilities Read-In, Illinois Mathematics And Science Academy

Cultural Read-Ins

This event is being co-sponsored by PME, L & D Matters, the History and English Departments, the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, and the IRC.

Special Guest: Jon Gilroy

2022 Black History Month Read-In, Illinois Mathematics And Science Academy

Cultural Read-Ins

This event was co-sponsored by the Black Student Union (BSU), Peer Multicultural Educators (PME), Brotherhood Sister Circle (BHSC), Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, IRC, and the English and History/Social Science teams.

Special Guest: Rapheal Mathis

2021 Native American Heritage Read-In, Illinois Mathematics And Science Academy

Cultural Read-Ins

This event was co-sponsored by Peer Multicultural Educators (PME), Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, the English team, the History/Social Science team, and the IRC.

Special Guest: Bill Miller

2021 Latinx Read-In, Illinois Mathematics And Science Academy

Cultural Read-Ins

This event was co-sponsored by Peer Multicultural Educators (PME), Alma Latina, the English team, the History/Social Science team, and the IRC.

2021 Women In Literature Read-In, Illinois Mathematics And Science Academy

Cultural Read-Ins

This event was co-sponsored by BELLAS, GEN, Girls IN2 STEM, Peer Multicultural Educators (PME), the IRC, and the English team.

2021 Black History Read-In, Illinois Mathematics And Science Academy

Cultural Read-Ins

This event was co-sponsored by the Black Student Union (BSU), Peer Multicultural Educators (PME), the IRC, English team, and History/Social Science team.

Special Guest: Christopher Whitehead

2020 Lgbtqa+ Read-In, Illinois Mathematics And Science Academy

Cultural Read-Ins

This event was co-sponsored by Peer Multicultural Educators (PME), SPECTRUM, the IRC, and the English team.

Special Guest: Yolanda Williams

2020 Hispanic Heritage Month Read-In, Illinois Mathematics And Science Academy

Cultural Read-Ins

This event was co-sponsored by Peer Multicultural Educators (PME), the IRC, and the English team.

Special Guest: Spoken Word Artist, Michael Reyes, sharing an original piece!!

2020 Jewish Literature Read-In, Illinois Mathematics And Science Academy

Cultural Read-Ins

This event was co-sponsored by Peer Multicultural Educators (PME), the IRC, and the English team.

3rd Annual Diversifying Stem Think Tank, Adrienne Coleman

Diversifying STEM Think Tank

This Diversifying STEM Think Tank will share the D-STEM Equity Model, which resulted from previous Think Tanks and continue to build upon it, providing strategies to enhance diversity in STEM education and careers. The factors that motivate Black and Latino students to engage in STEM will also be discussed, specifically related to the integration of a culturally responsive curriculum. With a focus on STEM equity, an increase in diverse STEM majors may occur, visibility of Black and Latino professionals in STEM careers may increase, and ultimately we may solve global problems in a culturally responsive manner. Thus, the 2020 Diversifying …

2020 African American Read-In, Illinois Mathematics And Science Academy

Cultural Read-Ins

This event was co-sponsored by the Black Student Union (BSU), Peer Multicultural Educators (PME), the IRC, and the English team.

2020 Asian Literature Read-In, Illinois Mathematics And Science Academy

Cultural Read-Ins

This event was co-sponsored by ASIA, Peer Multicultural Educators (PME), the IRC, and the English team.

A Celebration Of National Poetry Month, Illinois Mathematics And Science Academy

Cultural Read-Ins

This event was co-sponsored by the IRC, English Department, History/Social Science Department, President's Office & Alma Latina.

Special Guest: Michael Reyes

Poetry Month Series: Michael Reyes, Michael Reyes

Speaker Series

As a poet, artist and organizer, Reyes performs internationally and facilitates educational performances and workshops by merging creative expression and critical thought. His mission is to provide a participatory educational environment through poetry and hip-hop to address issues of social justice and cultural identity.

His work has been featured on HBO, CNN, PBS, The Chicago Tribunes Hoy Noticias, Latin Nation, Chicago Public Radio, National Public Radio, Pacifica, WBAI, and Democracy Now.

As an interdisciplinary artist he has worked with national activist, organizers, educators and artists such as: Dr. Cornel West, Lolita Lebron, Dolores Huerta, Oliver Stone, Minster Louis Farrakhan, and …

2019 Latinx Read-In, Illinois Mathematics And Science Academy

Cultural Read-Ins

This event was co-sponsored by Peer Multicultural Educators (PME), Alma Latina, the President's Office, History/Social Science department, the IRC, and the English team.

Special Guest: Jacqueline Camacho-Ruiz

2019 African American Read-In, Illinois Mathematics And Science Academy

Cultural Read-Ins

This event was co-sponsored by the IRC, English Department, History/Social Science Department, Peer Multicultural Educators (PME), President's Office, and Black Student Union (BSU)

Special Guest: Dion Steele, class of '89

2018 Gender Read-In, Illinois Mathematics And Science Academy

Cultural Read-Ins

This event was co-sponsored by Peer Multicultural Educators (PME), Spectrum, the History Social/Science team, the IRC, and the English team.

Poetry Month Series: Michael Reyes, Michael Reyes

Speaker Series

As a poet, artist and organizer, Reyes performs internationally and facilitates educational performances and workshops by merging creative expression and critical thought. His mission is to provide a participatory educational environment through poetry and hip-hop to address issues of social justice and cultural identity.

His work has been featured on HBO, CNN, PBS, The Chicago Tribunes Hoy Noticias, Latin Nation, Chicago Public Radio, National Public Radio, Pacifica, WBAI, and Democracy Now.

As an interdisciplinary artist he has worked with national activist, organizers, educators and artists such as: Dr. Cornel West, Lolita Lebron, Dolores Huerta, Oliver Stone, Minster Louis Farrakhan, and …

2nd Annual Diversifying Stem Think Tank, Adrienne Coleman

Diversifying STEM Think Tank

Goal: To understand from the perspective of STEM professionals, educators, and diversity/inclusion officers strategies to diversify and strengthen the STEM education to career pipeline.

Diverse Women In Stem, Illinois Mathematics And Science Academy

Educational Panels

Panelists:

Panelists:

• Dr. Amber Stitziel Pareja, Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy
• Diane Hinterlong, Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy
• Betty Hart, Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy
• Brooke Schmidt, Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy
• Dr. Cheryl Heinz, Benedictine University

Diversity Speaker Series: Dr. Adrienne Coleman And Dr. Amber Pareja, Adrienne Coleman, Amber Stitziel Pareja

Speaker Series

Come hear more about the progress of IMSA’s board approved Diversity Plan

• Held a Diversifying STEM Think Tank in which 75 STEM Professionals/Educators, Community Organizers, Diversity Officers and students discussed strategies to address the racial and gender inequities that exist in the STEM education to career pipeline
• Implemented Diversity Speaker Series that consisted of four trainings on the following topics: LGBTQIA+ Allyship, Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Gifted Students, Creating a Diverse and Inclusive Environment, and Gender Bias Under the Microscope
• Conducted a Student Diversity Climate Assessment in the Residence Halls examining the issues of race, sexual orientation, sex and gender/gender …

2017 Hispanic Heritage Month: Latinx Read-In, Illinois Mathematics And Science Academy

Cultural Read-Ins

This event was co-sponsored by the IRC, English Department, History Department, World Languages, Alma Latina and Peer Multicultural Educators.