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University of Denver Experts Available for Black History Month

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University of Denver

Press Release  •
black history month

With Black History Month underway, the University of Denver is proud to highlight our faculty expertise that contributes to a deeper understanding of Black history. From history to music and activism, our experts are eager to share their insights, illuminating the multifaceted aspects of the Black experience.  

The Spirituals Project 

The Spirituals Project is a community organization dedicated to preserving and revitalizing the spirituals, through musical, educational, and social justice work in our community. The mission is to preserve and revitalize the music and teachings of the sacred songs called “spirituals,” created and first sung by enslaved Africans in America in the 18th and 19th centuries. Spirituals uplift in times of crisis, heal, comfort, inspire and instill hopes and dreams, thereby transforming individuals, communities, and whole societies. Our goal is to ensure that the spirituals will be passed on for many generations to come. 

M. Roger Holland II, Director  

  • Topics: Importance of the Spirituals, lasting cultural impact  
  • Contact: roger.holland@du.edu.   

Art Jones, Founder 

  • Topics: History of the Spirituals Project, power of the Spirituals,  
  • Contact: Arthur.Jones@du.edu 

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion 

Chris Whitt, vice chancellor of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion 

John Miller IV, associate director of Black Community Initiatives  

Reggie Byron, director of the Critical Race and Ethnic Studies (CRES)  

  • Topics: Critical race and ethnic studies, employment discrimination, criminology, public accommodations discrimination, DEI work  
  • Contact: reginald.byron@du.edu 

Fight for Racial Justice  

Ajenai Clemmons, assistant professor of Public Policy at the Scrivner Institute  

  • Topics: Policing in marginalized communities, intersectional inequality, state violence  
  • Contact: ajenai.clemmons@du.edu 

Lolita Tabron, associate professor in the Morgridge College of Education.  

  • Topics: P-12 Educational Leadership and Policy, Race and Racism in Schools, Antiracism, Anti-racist data use in educational decision-making 
  • Contact: lolita.tabron@du.edu 

Tiamo Katsonga-Phiri, director of the Trauma Disaster Recovery Clinic and assistant professor in the Graduate School of Professional Psychology 

  • Topics: trauma psychology, mental toll of racism, trauma recovery, immigrants in the context of the African diaspora 
  • Contact: Tiamo.Katsonga-Phiri@du.edu 

If you'd like to set up an interview with one of our experts, contact Jon.Stone@du.edu or Nika.Anschuetz@du.edu