April 13, 2022 at 4:00pm in Bernath Auditorium

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Join the WSU Alumni Association and the Irvin D. Reid Honors College for the Arthur L. Johnson Urban Perspectives Lecture Series taking place on Wednesday, April 13, 2022 at 4:00 p.m. A reception with refreshments will follow the program. This year's program will highlight participants of the I.Detroit project that were recognized for their roles in Detroit culture, history, activism and devotion. Dean John Corvino will lead panelists in a discussion of the question "What does it mean to engage thoughtfully with a city?"

The I.DETROIT A HUMAN ATLAS OF AN AMERICAN CITY was a three-year project built on the foundation of a six-month nomination process, where a diverse group of Detroiters nominated people from their own communities who are making significant contributions to Detroit, the region and beyond. The project maps these remarkable individuals though photographic portraits, app-based image-activated oral histories and ancestral DNA to create a deeper understanding of the city. Human Atlas projects endeavor to hold a mirror up to society and encourage audiences to question their own roles and responsibilities to their communities, cities and fellow human beings.

"What a perfect topic, and a perfect group of people, for the Arthur L. Johnson event," said Dean Corvino. "These are the kinds of thoughtful explorations we have, and should be having, at our premier urban public research university."

The discussion will cover themes of investment, gentrification, economic disparities, social agency and more. Panelists include: 

Hanan Ali Yahya
Project Manager, Joe Louis Greenway

Tiffany D. Brown
Executive Director at the National Organization of Minority Architects and Founder of 400 FORWARD

Chase Cantrell
Executive Director, Building Community Value Detroit

Marcus Elliot
Saxophonist, Composer, Improviser and Educator

Kwaku Osei-Bonsu
Restauranteur, BlackCloud.Kitchen, EastEats and co-founder Detroit Black Restaurant Week

Please note: We will be reffling off two i.Detroit books at this event: one to an attendee in Bernath, and a second to someone joining us on the live stream! 

The lecture will take place on-campus in the Bernath Auditorium, however, registrants will also be provided a link to view the program via live stream. This event will be held in accordance with COVID protocols as established by the Campus Health Committee.