George Floyd in America Series

Amid racial unrest in the summer of 2020, Wayne State University and community leaders united for a series of candid conversations on race in America.

George Floyd in America: Black Detroiters on George Floyd

Part 1

In its first week, Distinguished Professor of African American Studies Melba Boyd and Michigan Assistant Secretary of State and current WSU student Heaster Wheeler discuss the murder of George Floyd and the nationwide protests that have followed. Peter Hammer, law professor and director of the Damon J. Keith Center for Civil Rights, and Ollie Johnson, chair of WSU's Department of African American Studies moderate the conversation.

George Floyd in America Talkback Session: Black Detroiters on George Floyd

Part 2

In response to the inaugural panel in the George Floyd in America series, the university hosted a virtual talkback session with facilitated breakout rooms on Zoom. Following the breakouts, distinguished community leaders continued the larger group conversation based on feedback from the smaller groups.

George Floyd in America: Questioning the Role of the Police

Part 3

Calls to "Defund the Police," ask fundamental questions about the real sources of public safety and how public resources should be reallocated in the future to better meet community needs. Eric Williams, senior staff attorney in the Detroit Justice Center's Economic Equity Practice, and PG Watkins, director and co-founder of the Black Bottom Archives and organizer for BYP100's Green Light Black Futures campaign, examine what policing should look like in the future.

George Floyd in America Talkback Session: Questioning the Role of the Police

Part 4

In response to the George Floyd in America: Questioning the Role of the Police panel on July 30, the university will host a virtual talkback session with facilitated breakout rooms on Zoom to discuss the real sources of public safety and how public resources should be reallocated in the future to better meet community needs.

The talkback session allows participants to ask questions and engage in smaller group dialogue. Following the breakouts, distinguished community leaders will continue the larger group conversation based on feedback from the smaller groups.

Presented by the Office of the Provost, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Law School, Damon J. Keith Center for Civil Rights and the Office of Diversity and Inclusion.