vitalvoices 2024-2025
The vitalvoices Speaker Series serves as a forum to bring scholars and practitioners alike to speak
to students, faculty, alumni and community partners at UHD's College of Public Service.
It is our hope that those we invite to speak will share, from the heart, their professional
experiences, their knowledge, and how the work they do impacts society as a whole.
We like to feature people whose work is interdisciplinary and touches upon the fields
social work, criminal justice and urban education.
March
Anti-Muslim Bigotry: Status Quo, Self-Reflection, & Hopes
Thursday, March 6th from 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Speaker: Dr. Abdelnasser Hussein, UHD
Register For This Event Today!
Minority groups in the United States face numerous challenges due to the diversity
of local communities. Among these issues is anti-Muslim hatred, driven by racism,
bias, prejudice, misrepresentation, and discrimination. The Muslim community has increasingly
faced attacks, vandalism, arson, and other threats. Whenever a Muslim commits an act
of violence, some politicians and authors use it to demonize Islam and incite hatred
toward Muslims. Muslims cannot combat this discrimination alone; all Americans must
stand up for the rights of every citizen, regardless of race, ethnicity, color, or
religion. These collective efforts aim to protect all minorities, including Muslims,
and uphold American principles. This session seeks to dispel misconceptions about
Muslims and encourage reflection on American values and anti-Muslim hostility.
Discussing this topic within the UHD community is crucial. Vital Voices provides a
platform for meaningful dialogue and education on pressing social issues. By addressing
anti-Muslim hatred and the broader challenges faced by minority groups, we can foster
a more inclusive and understanding environment at UHD. Engaging in these conversations
helps to build empathy, challenge stereotypes, and promote solidarity among students,
faculty, and staff. It also ensures all members of our community feel valued and supported.
Together we can collectively work towards a more just and equitable society, both
within our university and beyond.
Dr. Abdelnasser Hussein
Is an Assistant Professor of Educational Leadership in the Urban Education department at UHD's College of Public Service.
The Rise of Black Women in Higher Education
Thursday, March 20th from 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Speaker: Dr. Bernadette Pruitt, Sam Houston State University
Register For This Event Today!
Building on the work of academics who have examined the impact Black women, Latinas, Asian American women, women with queer identities, people of color broadly, and people with disabilities have had in higher education, this study investigates the evolution and history of African-descent women faculty in Texas colleges and universities.
Dr. Bernadette Pruitt
The first Black woman to earn a PhD in History from the University of Houston, she obtained her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Texas Southern University, an Historical Black College/University (HBCU) in Houston.
For more information contact Steven Villano, director of the Center for Public Service and Community Research at villanos@uhd.edu.