LOS ANGELES — Loyola Marymount University’s Global Conversations Series returns for the 2023-24 academic year with Professor Henry Louis Gates Jr., award-winning filmmaker, literary scholar, journalist, cultural critic, and institution builder, to lead powerful discussions on race, family, heritage, identity, and more.
Gates, host of the groundbreaking genealogy and genetics series on PBS, “Finding Your Roots,” will launch this year’s Global Conversation Series at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 27 at LMU with restaurateur, author, podcaster, and television personality David Chang, founder of Momofuku and Majordomo Media.
Gates and Chang will screen Chang’s episode of “Finding Your Roots,” and discuss topics centering on identity, heritage, and the immigrant journey in the United States. Since opening his first restaurant, Momofuku Noodle Bar in 2004, Chang has been named one of “the most influential people of the 21st century” by Esquire magazine, received six James Beard Awards, and earned recognition as GQ’s Man of the Year and a Time 100 honoree.
The Global Conversation series also will feature Gates in conversation with:
- LMU Bellarmine College of Liberal Arts Professor Julia Lee on Wed., Nov. 1 at 5:30 p.m. Lee is a Korean American writer, scholar, teacher, and critically acclaimed author of the memoir, “Biting the Hand: Growing Up Asian in Black and White America.” Their conversation will explore the history and maturation of Black Studies programs, the rise of anti-Black studies legislation, banned books, and the recent anti-affirmative action movement.
- LeVar Burton, multi-award winning actor, director, and education advocate, on Thurs., Jan. 11 at 5:30 p.m. Burton is best known to television audiences around the world for his portrayals of two iconic characters — Kunte Kinte in “Roots” and Geordi LaForge in “Star Trek: The Next Generation” — and for his 23 years as producer and host of the beloved PBS series “Reading Rainbow.” He is co-founder of the award-winning Reading Rainbow digital library.
Presented by the Office of the Provost and the Marymount Institute for Faith, Culture, and the Arts, the Global Conversation Series brings scholars, artists, activists, writers, entrepreneurs, and creatives to the LMU campus to engage with and inspire the community.
All events are open to the general public and will take place on the LMU Westchester Campus in Burns Back Court. LMU students, faculty, and staff can attend the events at no cost with a valid ticket; all other attendees can purchase a ticket for each event for $10. Revenue from ticket sales will go toward the LMU student scholarship fund.
More information is available here. Pre-registration is required by Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2023. Tickets will not be sold at the door.
Downloadable Image
Download image of Henry Louis Gates, Jr.
