Celebrating Black History Month
Dear VCU School of Dentistry Community,
Once again let me express what an honor it is to serve as the interim dean of the VCU School of Dentistry. Together with the rest of the United States during the month of February we celebrate Black History Month. The following message is from Dr. Carlos Smith our very own VCU School of Dentistry Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Director :
I would like to specifically share with you all many of the events and activities – both here within the School of Dentistry and across the VCU campus – that are happening to celebrate Black History Month. As is often said, Black history is American history. More aptly, Black history is also VCU history.
The School of Dentistry’s 1st African American graduate was the late Dr. James Avery Booker, Jr, a member of the Class of 1961. If Dr. Booker, a Richmond native, were alive today, he would be celebrating a 60th Class Reunion. Bear in mind that desegregation of public schools in Virginia began on February 2, 1959 and continued through early into the 1970s. Dr. Booker began his journey at VCU, the Medical College of Virginia School of Dentistry, in 1957. Upon graduation, Dr. Booker entered private practice and also taught at the Howard University College of Dentistry. It was there that he decided to expand his knowledge and enter medical school, eventually becoming a board-certified trauma surgeon.
As Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, I am honored to host a conversation with Dr. Booker’s daughter, Dr. Karla L. Booker, also a physician, on Tuesday February 16th at 5pm. I invite our entire SOD community to register here and join the conversation.
Additionally, we invite you to take advantage of other VCU Black History Month events to include:
- Feb. 18 from noon to 1:30 p.m.: Join Dr. Andrew Daire, dean of the School of Education, as he hosts a seminar on “Becoming an Antiracist Leader.” Join the conversation by attending the webinar.
- Feb. 25 from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. VCU Libraries community zoom series features a conversation between local author Chip Jones and VCU Health lead archivist Jodi Koste about Mr. Jones’ three-year-long research project leading to the 2020 publication of his book The Organ Thieves: The Shocking Story of the First Heart Transplant in the Segregated South. Hosting Mr. Jones, who is a vocal critic of VCU’s role in the story, is part of our commitment to examine every aspect of our medical center’s lengthy history with Richmond’s African-American community. Registration is required, click here.
- Feb. 25 at 2 p.m.: Brian D. Smedley, Ph.D., chief of psychology in the public interest and acting chief diversity officer of the American Psychological Association, will give a virtual talk on addressing health inequities – “Race, Place, and Chronic Disease: Addressing the Roots of Health Inequities,” Registration is required, click here.
Let us be mindful of each of our roles in moving toward a more inclusive VCU School of Dentistry. Be sure to check out more SOD DEI updates here.
All the best to you and your families,
Clara M. Spatafore D.D.S. M.S., interim dean
VCU School of Dentistry
Categories Deans blog, schoolwide news