- Presenting Series
Installation Begins Friday, January 27 and ends Sunday, April 2
Traveling While Black is a cinematic virtual reality experience* that immerses viewers in the long history of restriction of movement for Black Americans and the creation of safe spaces in our communities.
This film by Academy Award winner Roger Ross Williams and Emmy Award-winning Felix & Paul Studios transports viewers to historic Ben's Chili Bowl restaurant in Washington, D.C. Viewers share an intimate series of moments with several of Ben’s patrons as they reflect on their experiences of restricted movement and race relations in the United States. Confronting the way we understand and talk about race in America, Traveling While Black highlights the urgent need to not only remember the past but to learn from it, and to facilitate a dialogue about the challenges minority travelers still face today. *Participants will wear Oculus GO virtual reality headsets that will be cleaned and disinfected between each showing. Headsets recommended for those ages 12 and up. Click HERE for artist's website.
Online registration required for installation timeslot. REGISTER HERE
Daytime large group timeslots are available. To make a group reservation please contact Adam Ercolani: ade221@lehigh.edu, 610-758-5625.
LU Students attend for FREE, click for more info.
Traveling While Black Community Conversations
No registration is required for the following FREE events. Please note: these events take place at various locations around the Lehigh Valley.
View the Traveling While Black Community Conversations Passport.
FRI JAN 27 | 6:30pm | Opening Night Reception | Zoellner Arts Center
Free Panel Discussion immediately follows the reception at 7:15pm
PANEL Members: Paul Raphaël* (Felix & Paul Studios), Senior Pastor Phillip Davis (Greater Shiloh Church), Dr. Donald A. Outing, Ph.D. (Lehigh University VP for Equity and Community), Bonnie Nelson Schwartz (Executive Producer of Traveling While Black), moderated by Jaciel Cordoba (anchor at WFMZ-TV). (*via Zoom) WATCH A LIVE-STREAM OF THE PANEL DISCUSSION HERE
VIEW THE DIGITAL PROGRAM
Traveling While Black & Queer - THU FEB 9 | 7:00pm | Bradbury-Sullivan LGBT Community Center, Allentown - View the digital program | WATCH A LIVE-STREAM OF THE PANEL DISCUSSION HERE
A conversation about the intersection between race, sexual orientation and gender identity, with Anthony Smith Jr. (visual and mixed-media artist), Kenny Screven (Valley Youth House), Dr. Ashleigh Strange (PA Stands Up), Kevelis Matthews-Alvarado (cofounder of the Institute on Critical Race and Ethnic Studies), Deirdre Van Walters (President of Basement Poetry), moderated by Ashley L. Coleman (Executive Director of Bradbury-Sullivan LGBT Community Center).
Traveling (Internationally) While Black: Black Students’ Study Abroad Experiences | WED FEB 15 | 6:00pm | Lehigh University Fairchild-Martindale Library, CIRCLE, 4th floor South
In this panel, Lehigh students will discuss their experiences “Traveling While Black” as they studied abroad. Our student panelists will share why they chose to study abroad and what resources they consulted to help make their decision; describe the joys, surprises, and challenges they encountered in their journeys, and offer advice for others who are interested in the travelling abroad. This panel will be moderated by Antonio Ellison from Lehigh Study Abroad and Jasmine Woodson from Lehigh Libraries.
Traveling While Black Through the Education System | WED FEB 15 | 7:00pm | Lehigh University Fairchild-Martindale Library, CIRCLE, 4th floor South
View the digital program | WATCH A LIVE-STREAM OF THE PANEL DISCUSSION HERE
A conversation about the intersection between race and higher education, with Lehigh University students Risa Nkululeko, Justin Burrell, Margaret Robinnette, moderated by Roman Mitchell; opening remarks provided by Annie Balles.
Traveling While Black Through the Arts | WED FEB 22 | 7:00pm | Muhlenberg College, Seegers Union Rooms 108-100
View the digital program | WATCH A LIVE-STREAM OF THE PANEL DISCUSSION HERE
A conversation about the intersection between race and the arts, with Calvin Alexander Ramsey (author and playwright), Anthony Smith Jr. (visual and mixed-media artist), Deirdre Van Walters (President of Basement Poetry), Michael Freeman (abstract artist), moderated by Camille Armstrong a.k.a. CAMILLE WHO (performing and teaching artist).
Traveling While Black: National & Local Perspectives | WED MAR 1 | 7:00pm | Greater Shiloh Church, Easton, PA
View the digital program | WATCH A LIVE-STREAM OF THE PANEL DISCUSSION HERE
A conversation about the intersection between the local and nationwide experiences of Black Americans, with Tafeni L. English-Relf (Director of Southern Poverty Law Center, Alabama), Esther M. Lee (President, Bethlehem NAACP), Rev. Dr. Gregory Edwards (Resurrected Life Church), moderated by Holona Ochs (Lehigh University Associate Professor of Politcal Science); opening remarks provided by Senior Pastor Phillip Davis (Greater Shiloh Church).
Traveling While Black: Up the Corporate Ladder | WED MAR 8 | 7:00pm | Northampton Community College, Fowler Family Southside Center, Room 605
View the digital program | WATCH A LIVE-STREAM OF THE PANEL DISCUSSION HERE
A conversation about the intersection between race and corporate America, with Monica Brooks (PPL), Natasha Ljuiljic (Air Products), Derrick Brown (Metz), William D. Brown (CEO & Co-Founder, Chief Diversity Officer of FIA NYC Employment), Veronica Hunter (Delta Upsilon), moderated by Kevin Greene (COO of Faces International).
Traveling While Black: Co-Pilots & Co-Conspirators | WED MAR 29 | 7:00pm | Resurrected Life Church, Allentown, PA
View the digital program | WATCH A LIVE-STREAM OF THE PANEL DISCUSSION HERE
A conversation about the intersection between standing by and standing up, with Lee Butz (Chairman of the Board of Alvin H. Butz, Inc.), Marci Ronald-Lesko (United Way), Michael J. Seiden, Megan Briggs (Lehigh Valley Community Foundation), and Annie Balles (Lehigh student), moderated by Tyrone Russell (CEO of Faces International).
Book Signing with Dr. Frank L. Douglas ’66 | FRI MAR 31 | 4:30pm | Zoellner Arts Center, Room 145
Have you ever felt frustrated and helpless when faced with episodes of Systemic Discrimination? Have you ever felt that Systemic Discrimination is so subtle and endemic that there is no way to explain it to those who are interested in eliminating it? In his new book, Addressing Systemic Discrimination by Reframing the Problem, Dr. Frank L. Douglas ’66 describes a new approach to examine and develop productive ways to deal with effects of Systemic Discrimination. He not only describes the methodology but applies it to cases in several areas, including academic, healthcare, graduate school, government departments and private industry. VIEW FLYER Books are available to purchase at the event.
Closing Reception | FRI MAR 31 | 5:30pm | Zoellner Arts Center, Diamond Theater
View the digital program | WATCH A LIVE-STREAM OF THE PANEL DISCUSSION HERE
Join us for our closing reception and final discussion surrounding the Traveling While Black installation. This discussion will feature those involved in the Traveling While Black film including Virginia Ali, Courtland Cox, and Sandra Butler-Truesdale, moderated by Jaciel Cordoba (anchor at WFMZ-TV).
With Generous Support From
Enid M. and Michael J. Seiden '63 '64
