MILLS COLLEGE
ETHNIC STUDIES PROGRAM
A NOTE FROM OUR PROGRAM DIRECTOR
CHINYERE OPARAH; ETHNIC STUDIES PROGRAM DIRECTOR
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This fall we celebrate 50 years of Ethnic Studies at Mills! When we think about the history of Ethnic Studies in the U.S., we usually hear about the student strike at San Francisco State that led to the creation of the College of Ethnic Studies there or the first UC program at Berkeley. But Mills also has an important part in that history as the first Ethnic Studies program founded at an independent college.
Last semester, Mills students in Professor Natalee Kēhaulani Bauer’s Leadership for Social Change class searched the archives and interviewed generations of alumni to develop this interactive website commemorating the Ethnic Studies program’s 50th anniversary. They also envisioned an event to celebrate our 50th anniversary. Their goal was to host a community event that would be intergenerational, would highlight the amazing work that is happening to bring Ethnic Studies to elementary schools, middle and high schools, and would bring together art, performance, ritual, and wisdom. The result is the 50th anniversary celebration that will take place on Friday, October 11, 2019, from 6-8.30pm in the newly renovated Lisser Hall. With keynote former Black Panther Ericka Huggins, a panel of Ethnic Studies educators and activists from K-12, prisons and beyond including Nadine Naber; exciting performances by Sistahs of the Drum, Wakan Wiya Two-spirit Drum, Ka'ilihiwa Greig & Kamie-lei Fujiwara-Greyhores, DJ Giants, and more; light dinner before and dessert and drinks following the event, and celebration with past, present, and future community! It’s an event not to be missed. Sign up for a free ticket on Eventbrite here before they sell out! Looking forward to celebrating with you, Chinyere Oparah, Ethnic Studies Program Head |