FRANK Talks

Kaari Aubrey

Kaari Aubrey is a writer, publisher, educator, and social entrepreneur with over a decade of design, facilitation, & startup experience. With years of personal and professional experience in Europe, West Africa and the Americas, she uses her unique, diverse communication and management skills to help communities & organizations grow into more authentic, efficient, inclusive, and joyful spaces. In 2022, she left the traditional classroom and founded the Other Suns Arts Collective, a creative digital publishing company which supports queer and BIPOC artists in expressing beautifully varied experiences through writing. Through this work, she has published workbooks, planners, poetry and nonfiction book with the intention of “writing to heal.”

Contact: kaari.aubrey@gmail.com 

What Does Language Tell Us about Society?
We use certain words to identify our gender, race, and role in society. These words can place us into social categories: male – female, white – black. Have these categories always been part of our language? How does language develop alongside and shape our social systems and values? Just as our society evolves over time, the language we use can reflect that evolution. Join us for a conversation about how we can demonstrate respect and inclusivity through the words we use to describe ourselves and each other.

Decolonizing Beauty: Who Is Considered Beautiful?
How is beauty portrayed in the movies we watch? In the ads we are exposed to? Popular culture, or the dominant culture, has played a key role in defining the standards of beauty in America and across the globe. We celebrate blondness, fairness, blue-eyes, and slender figures (in women). What advantages and privileges are associated with these Western standards of beauty? How do beauty standards impact the ways we interact with each other? Let’s talk about the notion of beauty and how it is defined and represented in our present society. We will discuss how beauty is portrayed, personified, shaped, and challenged today.

Andrea Christelle, Ph.D.

Andrea Christelle, PhD, has a passion for engaging the public in philosophical dialog, and is a founder of Sedona Philosophy, a completely unique tour company that uses the amazing natural environment to unlock personal growth and insight. She is also the Vice Provost for Research at Diné College on Navajo Nation, where the idea of Na’al Kaah Bee Honít’i’, or creating pathways by following footprints, is a guiding principle for knowledge creation. Previously she worked for Good Systems, an interdisciplinary AI initiative at the University of Texas at Austin, and was the founder of Philosophy in the Public Interest at Northern Arizona University.

Contact: andrea@sedonaphilosophy.com  
Era of Artificial Intelligence: What Is Research, and How Is Knowledge Created?
In today’s digital world, anyone can publish their writing. Anyone can make a movie. The democratization of knowledge or content creation has given a voice to untold stories. But there is a flipside. Who, or what, gets to create knowledge? Can AI systems create knowledge? When Chat GPT writes a student’s paper, is that original research? What are the different systems and standards for creating knowledge? As consumers of knowledge, how can we know what is real and what is manipulated? What is original and what is derivative? Join us for a conversation about knowledge and authenticity in the era of AI.

Derek Keith

Derek spent the first decade of his professional career as an educator weaving diversity and social justice education into his curriculum and everyday life. He started his career as an English Teacher and Activities Director in Southern California. It was here he was introduced to the California Conference for Equity and Justice and he found a passion for Social Justice education. He went on to develop a Social Justice literature course for a high school in the San Francisco area. In this position he worked with high school seniors to develop the ability to be critical thinkers who can make change. Currently, he works at ASU’s Learning Enterprise as a Senior Project Manager. During his time at ASU, he started internal DEI committees, led trainings for professional and student staff on DEI initiatives and practices, worked on equitable hiring practices, and presented at ASU’s Diversity and Inclusion 2021 conference. His current role focuses on improving higher education onramps for underserved communities inside and outside of Arizona.

Contact: derekjkeith@gmail.com 

Education in the News: What’s Happening in Classrooms Today?
The debate over what happens in the classroom continues to escalate as politics creep into curriculum. What can be taught, what can be said, and what pronouns teachers can use are all in question. What are the new bills and school policies being introduced in Arizona? How is legislation in other states influencing the national conversation about education? How does the regulation of books, curriculum and speech in the classroom affect students and teachers? What we teach our children now will have lasting ramifications, so what effect will this have on our society long-term? Join us for a discussion about the current Arizona education legislation and school policies shaping our future.

Jocks and Nerds: Stereotypes in Our Everyday Lives
What we imagine a “jock” or a “nerd” to be is shaped by media representations and popular culture. What people experience in their everyday lives, however, often differs from these representations, yet stereotypes are powerful. Stereotypes often lead to biases, or behavior in favor or against a group of people. Sometimes it is a conscious bias. More often, it is an unconscious or implicit bias. Unintentionally, people make judgments about their co-workers, their neighbors, or the random people they interact with day-to-day. So, how do we recognize stereotypes? What can we do about them? Join us for a conversation about how stereotypes form and the effects they have on our community.

Mathew Nevarez

Mat Nevarez was born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona. He is a first-generation college graduate and received his Bachelor’s in Social Work and Master’s in Public Policy. Mat has worked with homeless and at-risk youth, students of all ages- elementary to college, and individuals with disabilities, to help them achieve goals in education, workforce development, & independent living skills programs. Now serving on the Alhambra Elementary School Board, Mat is a “Change Agent” often called to serve and assist with transitioning, restructuring, recruitment, retention, and leadership development initiatives. Mat is a recent alum of the AZ Leading for Change Fellowship and of the Hispanic Leadership Institute with Valle del Sol. Mat is committed to uplifting underserved communities as part of his life-long work.

Contact: mathew.nevarez@gmail.com

Voting Access: What If Voting Were Mandatory?
Voting is an essential part of the electoral process. How do we vote? Where do we vote? What is the process for voting? Join us for an interactive thought exercise: Imagine a scenario where all Arizonans are required to vote. You are responsible for voter turnout. How do you ensure you get voters to the polls? How do you keep them informed? Let’s talk about what it means to have access to voting and voting information.

What Is Civic Engagement?
Environmental sustainability, access to voting, public education—these are all civic issues affecting communities. What is a community? How can you participate in one? Join us for a lively discussion about what it means to be a part of a community and how you can engage with issues that matter to you. Together we will learn how we can be more civically engaged and bring about positive change.

Erick Tanchez

Erick Tanchez, who goes by “E,” is a passionate Queer Xicano born and raised in Phoenix. Both of his intersectional experiences have led him on a journey of combating white supremacy in all forms, and a journey of healing himself and his communities. Community, activism, and civic engagement have been a part of his life since high school. He was introduced to this world in 2006 through the Anytown Program, designed to develop leaders through a social justice lens. In 2014, he became the Executive Director of the Anytown Program. He has worked with over 3000+ high school students throughout Arizona and empowered them to become change makers in their communities. He started his higher education career in 2012, working with Phoenix College and the Hispanic Servicing Institution excellence program. Working in enrollment services, recruitment, and veteran affairs services, he created bridges for low-income students and empowered them to purse a college degree. In 2018, he became the Program Coordinator in the Office of Student Life & Multicultural Services. Student Development and Retention was the perfect space for him to help students through their college days. E has also reformed an affinity resource group for LGBTQIA+ employees and students across Maricopa Community Colleges. Equality Maricopa has been a catalyst in helping Queer and Transgender employees find community and hold institutions accountable.

Contact: Erick.tanchez.jr@mesacc.edu 

He/She/They: Why Pronouns Matter
There has been a lot of attention on pronouns in the news headlines recently—from state bills aimed at regulating pronouns in the classroom to social media platforms offering pronoun options. So, what is a pronoun? How are pronouns related to gender identity, such as cisgender, transgender, nonbinary? What are gender identities? Is there a difference between gender identity and gender expression? Bring your questions about pronouns, gender identity, and other terms, and join us for a discussion about the power of pronouns and why they matter.

Undocumented Americans: Who Get to Go to College?
Federal laws protect undocumented children and their families when accessing K-12 education, but what happens after graduation? Undocumented students face many hurdles as they transition into adulthood—from finding legal employment to obtaining a driver’s license to going to college. How do undocumented students access higher education? What role do state laws and regulations play in the question of education and legal status? Is there a right pathway to citizenship for students when they reach adulthood? Let’s talk about undocumented students, who has the right to higher education, and the complexities of immigration in America.

Gail Rhodes

Gail Rhodes is a PhD student and an adjunct professor at the Cronkite School at Arizona State University with more than 16 years of professional experience working as a television reporter. She worked for the Fox Sports Network in Chicago and helped to launch the Comcast Sports Network. Rhodes has been an adjunct professor for Cronkite since 2014, where she teaches advanced television sports reporting, and advanced topics in sports media. Her doctoral studies focus on the intersection of sports culture, media and society.

Contact: glrhodes@asu.edu 

A Free Press: Cornerstone of Democracy
The first amendment to the U.S. Constitution protects press freedom. Freedom of the press is important because it plays a vital role in informing citizens about public affairs and monitoring the actions of government. But what happens when public trust in the media is eroded by sensationalism, foreign influences or bots, fake news, and business monopolies? Who makes the news and what is newsworthy? Is non-partisan news coverage based on facts even still possible? What is the role of the media in keeping us informed today, and who is accountable when intentional misrepresentation occurs? Join us for a critical look at the impact of the media in a democratic society.

Matthew C. Whitaker, Ph.D.

Matthew Whitaker is a decorated educator, historian, author, social justice advocate, motivational speaker, and founder of the ASU Center for the Study of Race and Democracy, where he taught for 16 years. Whitaker’s expertise lies in U.S. history, African American history, race relations, social movements, cultural competency, equity and inclusion, teaching excellence, and community partnerships. Whitaker has received numerous awards including the 2016 DLA Diversity and Inclusion Award, ASU’s 2015 Pioneer Award for work on African American life and culture, and 2014 DLA Inclusive Workplace Award. Whitaker has spoken throughout the U.S. and abroad, and has been featured on CNN, NPR, PBS, WVON, and KEMET. His books include Hurricane Katrina: America’s Unnatural Disaster, Race Work: The Rise of Civil Rights in the Urban West, and his forthcoming memoir, The Undisputed Truth: A Revolutionary Journey to Black Manhood.

Contact: mw@dstrategiesllc.com 

Where Do Landfills Go?: A History of Environmental Justice
Where do we dump our toxic waste? Where do we bury contaminated soil? Where do we put our industrial waste facilities? Hazardous sites are most frequently placed near Black and brown neighborhoods. Environmental pollution, whether dirty air or contaminated water, has disproportionately impacted communities of color for decades. Years of governmental support for housing discrimination through practices such as redlining created communities segregated along racial lines. Red-lined neighborhoods then became targets for environmental degradation. Zoning and city and state permits perpetuated environmental racism, whether intentional or not. Now the climate crisis is compounding the impact on communities of color–from extreme heat to increasing natural disasters (and unequal relief responses). Join us for a timely discussion on the history of environmental racism and the movement for environmental justice that began in the 1970s and continues to grow today.

The Road to Inequity: Understanding the Wealth Gap
We often hear about the widening wealth gap in the United States. If we look back through history, federal policies and discriminatory practices, from redlining to the current gender wage gap, have contributed to lasting social and economic inequities. Who holds the wealth now? How was that wealth acquired? Can we move toward a more equitable system? Let’s take a closer look at the origins of the wealth gap and discuss the inequities that persist today.

R.J. Shannon

RJ Shannon has resided in the valley for 40 years as a wife, mother, musician, health educator, community mobilizer and activist. She has served on community advisory boards with Phoenix law enforcement, the Phoenix Human Relations Commission, and is a founding and active member of Healing Racism. She chaired Phoenix AIDS Walk for two years, raising over $600,000 with the support and leadership of the Aunt Rita’s Foundation. She is also a former member of the Board of Directors for the Arizona ACLU, advisory board member for the now-defunct Arizona Hate Crimes Advisory Board, and currently serves as one of the newest Board Members for the Parsons Southwest Center. She is presently helping to create a community assessment tool for the Black community that the HEAAL (Helping to Enrich African American Lives) Coalition is already utilizing. She chairs the Local Gun Violence Prevention committee for Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense Laws; acts as State Liaison for Moms in addition to serving as the State Liaison for the State Chapter for the National Organization of Women. In her free time, RJ is an active planning member for the Rainbow Gathering, an indigenous conference for two spirit, non-binary, LGBTQ members.

Contact: Rjshannon54@gmail.com 

Then and Now: What is White Nationalism? (virtual only)
White nationalism, or white supremacy, has been considered an ideology on the fringes of society. But media news coverage today shows us a more public movement of white nationalist groups and leaders–from the Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville to the white supremacist livestreamer, Nick Fuentes. What are white nationalist groups? Are their conspiracy theories, such as the great replacement theory, new, or a repeat of long-held beliefs? How is white nationalism impacting our society? Is white nationalist ideology moving into mainstream society? Join us for a discussion about what white nationalism looks like today and what we can do in response.

What Happens When Social Movements and Social Justice Collide? (virtual only)
Social movements for human rights are front and center in the public discourse. Social media platforms have created new spaces for social activism. People are galvanized by new state legislation and supreme court decisions. From Black Lives Matter to LGBTQ+ rights to the #MeToo movement, communities are organizing and marching. What are these social movements? How do these movements intersect? What happens when these movements for human rights have competing interests? Join us for a discussion about navigating colliding interests and working together for social justice.