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Charles Blow Brings “Fire” to Inaugural Speaker Series
Parker was proud and excited to welcome author and New York Times columnist Charlies M. Blow to speak as part of the first D’Rita and Robbie Robinson Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Speaker Series.
Blow’s Op-Ed column appears on Mondays and Thursdays in The New York Times, where he tackles issues like character and integrity, social justice and racial equality, electoral politics and the presidency, gun control and violence, among other topics. He is also a commentator on CNN and was a Presidential Visiting Professor at Yale University.
In addition to the evening event, Blow spoke at an all-faculty meeting, and Avani Kalra ’20 interviewed him for The Weekly. Throughout the day, Blow spoke passionately, eloquently and unapologetically about the current state of our nation and the issues that brought us to this point. Before concluding his time on stage at the evening event, he engaged in a lively question and answer session with the audience.
After his speech, those in attendance had the opportunity to have him sign copies of his book¸ Fire Shut Up in My Bones. This book, described as “searing and unforgettable” by People magazine, won a Lambda Literary Award and the Sperber Prize and made multiple prominent book lists.
Parker is extremely grateful to D’Rita and Robbie Robinson for endowing this lecture series, which will provide opportunities to share in insightful perspectives on vital issues facing our democratic society and global world. Blow’s intense and unflinching message was the perfect beginning to this series and left the audience feeling challenged and inspired.
Click here for photos.
Click here for a video of the special music presentation.
Click here for photos.
Click here for a video of the special music presentation.
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Francis W. Parker School educates students to think and act with empathy, courage and clarity as responsible citizens and leaders in a diverse democratic society and global community.