Tickets for the 2019 Columbus State University Diversity Forum are now available for purchase. Scheduled for March 27-28, the Legacy Celebration and Diversity Conference brings the Columbus community together to celebrate diversity and inclusion. Keynote speakers for the 2019 conference are Kim Katrin Malin and Eric Deggans.

“The Diversity Committee and I are honored to welcome students, staff, faculty, and community to the 2019 Diversity Forum,” said Johniqua Williams, development specialist for diversity programs at CSU. “The Diversity Forum aims to provide a platform where both individuals who are deeply versed in the work of inclusion and those whose work falls at a periphery, find inspiration through immersive introduction, innovative strategy-sharing and critical examination. Our goal is for the participants to leave the conference feeling equipped with a few additional tools in diversity and inclusion work to take back to their perspective areas.”

Malin is a co-founder of The People Project and an activist for justice and inclusion, which bring forth local and international community development through alternative education, art-activism and collaboration. Her presentations are anchored in a modern version of The Golden Rule. Rather than assuming the way you want to be treated is the standard for all, Malin encourages audiences to treat people the way they want to be treated, which means asking and listening.

Deggans is NPR's first full-time TV critic, crafting stories and commentaries for the network's shows, such as Morning Edition, Here & Now and All Things Considered, along with writing material for NPR.org. He also appears on NPR podcasts and blogs. In addition to his work for NPR, Deggans serves as a contributor and media analyst for MSNBC and NBC News. He also serves as chairman for the board of educators, journalists and media experts who select the George Foster Peabody Awards for excellence in electronic media at the University of Georgia.

Presented by CSU’s Office of Diversity Programs and Services, the Diversity Forum is a day-long conference and evening banquet that showcase successes in inclusion on CSU’s campus and fosters discussions on a broad range of relevant issues to discover best practices for a better future. Attendees will take part in inclusive active learning exercises that can be repeated in their own workplaces or with teams or community group members.

Tickets are $40 and include admission to both the conference and the Legacy Celebration. Tables of eight are available for $320. For more information, please visit diversity.columbusstate.edu or contact Johniqua Williams at 706-507-8594 or [email protected].