(1:01:15) M. V. Lee Badgett delivered Fitchburg State's Nancy Kelly Memorial Lecture on March 25, 2021. Her presentation was entitled “The Economic Case for LGBTQ+ Equality: Changing the World with a New Idea.”Badgett is an author and professor of economics at UMass Amherst and Williams Distinguished Scholar at UCLA’s Williams Institute. Her research focuses on economic inequality for LGBTQ+ people, including wage gaps, employment discrimination, poverty, and the global cost of homophobia and transphobia.Badgett’s talk was sponsored by the university’s Economics, History and Political Science Department; the Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies Program; and the Center for Faculty Scholarship. Presented as part of the university's celebration of Women's Herstory Month.

(1:28:11) In this interactive experience, Dr. Kendra Jason, Founder of Work 4 Change, LLC, uses an active learning approach (self-reflection, investigative thought-work, various activities) to identify and address challenges of Black Women at work and home. Black women are disproportionately represented as low-wage essential workers and working caregivers, while also being mothers, wives, breadwinners, and matriarchs of the Black family. The onset of COVID-19 has exacerbated the challenges they face as they manage work and home, and policy and practices must shift to better meet the needs of this crucial group of the U.S. economy.Presented as part of our celebration of Black History Month.

(1:22:07) Red Shaydez, also known as Shalayah C. Washington ’14, is an alum of Fitchburg State who has taken the hip hop community by storm. Red creates a storyline to take us on a journey of her upbringing and how family played both blood and extended impact the evolution of her identity and musical career. She breathes life to stepping into your representation, identity and diversity. Presented as part of Black History Month.This event is made possible in part through the generous support of the Newman Center Trust.

(55:55) This discussion of the evolution and partnership of poetry and hip hop in the United States includes a writer of poems and an MC discussing their writing process, and how history informs their work.With poets and rappers, one of the biggest similarities is their desire to convey a message. The content may differ, but the need to evoke an emotional response is the same. It's typically driven by their view of the world or society and wanting to state their point of view.This dynamic event is co-facilitated by Dr. Katherine Jewell (Economics, History and Political Science) and Dr. DeMisty Bellinger-Delfeld (English Studies). Part of our celebration of Black History Month 2021.

(1:04:15) Professor Kisha Tracy (English Studies) presents a discussion of The Medieval Black Mother. Centering artistic and literary representations of the Black Madonna and the African mother of empires, Sogolon Condé - thus, focusing especially on religious and ruling figures - this presentation explores the Black Mother in the global medieval period, a figure that has rarely been centralized, as well as make connections to the modern image of the Black Mother (for instance, statistics about pregnancy issues for Black mothers, etc.). This event is part of the campus observance of Black History Month.

(1:31:17) In a series of personal essays, prominent journalist and LGBTQIA+ activist George M. Johnson explores his childhood, adolescence, and college years in New Jersey and Virginia. From the memories of getting his teeth kicked out by bullies at age 5, to flea marketing with his loving grandmother, to his first sexual relationships, this young-adult memoir weaves together the trials and triumphs faced by Black queer boys. Presented as part of the university's celebration of Black History Month.

(1:11:03) A discussion with Akrobatik, a Boston-based MC and Hip-Hop Studies professor at UMass Boston. He is also a member of The Perceptionists with Mr. Lif, and voice actor in the gaming industry. Presented as part of Fitchburg State's celebration of Black History Month.

(25:50) As part of Fitchburg State University's celebration of Black History Month 2021, Mucharfara Punungwe, also known to many as Georges, reflects on the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his leadership in the fight for social justice through a commemorative speech. The presentation provides a charge to the young people of today in addressing the challenges of now to ensure the fight for all continues.

(1:38:25) Karl Bell, director of TRIO SSS at Boston College, presents this State of the Black Union as part of Fitchburg State University's celebration of Black History Month 2021. The address provides a historical, present and future outlook on the position of Black people within America. The understanding of Black has not only a cultural reference of African Americans but all that may fall within the diaspora and societal norm identification.

(17:29) Fitchburg State honors the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with this virtual ceremony featuring voices from the university choir as well as members of the campus and wider community.

(2:19) Fitchburg State University staff members describe the services they offer to student veterans.

(1:45) The Veterans Center at Fitchburg State is located in Thompson Hall. The space is designed to provide student veterans with a dedicated office on campus for them to work and meet with others who have served their country.

(1:38) text by James Weldon Johnson Fitchburg State University Chamber Choir

(4:38) Fitchburg State University Chamber Choir

(1:16) traditional spiritual text Fitchburg State University Concert Choir

(3:15) transcribed by Dan Stolper Fitchburg State University Chamber Choir

(4:48) text by Ella Higginson Fitchburg State University Concert Choir

(3:10) text by David McKee Wright Fitchburg State University Concert Choir

(3:19) text by Langston Hughes Fitchburg State University Concert Choir

(1:10:19) Dr. Michael Miner is a 2008 graduate of Fitchburg State University and currently a lecturer at Harvard University where he teaches courses on government and international security. Miner will lead us in a broad conversation about American foreign policy with a few specific points on US-China relations. Introduction by Professor Eric Budd and moderated by Professor Joshua Spero. This presentation is sponsored by the Fitchburg State University Alumni Association.