By Emily Holmes

On Wednesday March 3, Lindenwood University hosted the first ever Day of Dialogue. Although this event was held virtually this year, it was still a huge success according to Myron Burr, who is one of the co-chairs for the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Task Force along with Dr. Amanda Harrod. The discussion of the Task Force circulated around bringing folks into the conversation around equity and inclusion who would not normally participate. With help and trust from those involved, Burr started to plan this monumental day. Burr stated, “The Day of Dialogue is designed to support the academic and intellectual inquiry of challenging ideas, telling narratives, and dialoguing across culturally divisive topics.” Although he may have started the idea, Burr makes sure to note that the day would not have been possible without the help and support of others at Lindenwood University and the rest of the DEI Task Force.

The day of the event included two keynote speakers, Dr. Claude Steele and Mrs. Emily Pitts, and various breakout sessions. According to Burr, these speakers came via suggestion. “Dr. Stephanie Afful’s 2018 book club put Dr. Steele on our radar and our university president, Dr. John Porter, recommended Mrs. Emily Pitts. We sent a letter to our keynotes asking if they’d be willing and available. They both graciously accepted.” The DEI hosted a professional development opportunity called the Unconference in the fall for faculty and staff. This conference was held in one afternoon with two to three sessions involving equity and inclusion. The themes that were recurring during this conference became the breakout sessions for the Day of Dialogue, with Civic Engagement + Social Awareness being the overarching theme.

Lindenwood University is committed to providing real experiences and real success to students, and Burr feels as though the Day of Dialogue accurately showcased this.

“That’s what the Day of Dialogue is all about – providing our campus with a real experience in creating a connected and diverse community, committed to working together to ensure trust and respect for all persons. We’re successful in that when we’re able to the share our stories while also listening to others share theirs. The Day of Dialogue provides a safe and supportive space for the sharing of those stories.”

In the future, there are virtual elements that Lindenwood hopes to keep the same with the Day of Dialogue as they were able to reach a much wider audience than originally thought. Going forward, they plan to discuss these changes as a committee but look forward to making the Day of Dialogue an annual occurrence.