Photo courtesy of Sophia A. Nelson

Award-winning journalist, author and political analyst Sophia A. Nelson will visit Oakland University from April 1 to 5 for a series of diversity, equity and inclusion experiences. 

Whether writing columns for The Washington Post or on-air commenting at CNN, Nelson demonstrates her expertise as a diversity, equity and inclusion speaker.

As a graduate of San Diego State University in economics and political science, Nelson has been involved in politics since 1994 as a legal counsel and later as a congressional candidate in 1996. 

Her debut book Black Woman Redefined (2011) won her the 2011 Best-Non Fiction AA Literary Book Award prize. Her second book, The Woman Code, was named one of the top 40 inspirational books for women by Woman’s Day magazine.

She was also awarded the Bernardine Stoneham Smith Bailey Journalism Award for her Essence magazine article in 2013. Nelson continues to write columns and participate in projects at MSNBC and PBS. 

Now a corporate trainer, she speaks at global women’s conferences and will participate in eight events at her week-long residency at OU. Lectures, dialogues, roundtable discussions and book signings are among the programmed events. 

Nelson will kick off the week on Monday, April 1 with the “Varner Vitality Lecture.” At 11:30 am, in the OC’s Founder’s Ballrooms, Nelson will discuss the importance of health equity, leadership and diversity. A book signing session will follow after. 

Three events will take place on April 2, the first at 9:30 a.m. in the OC’s Gold Room A. “Finding Unity in Plurality, a conversation with the College of Arts & Sciences” will touch on different perspectives and the fostering of unity among diverse fields of study. Journalism, public relations, communication, anthropology, criminal justice, social work and sociology are among the fields explored. 

Also on April 2 at noon, the Medical Student Town Hall will take place at O’Dowd Hall, Room 204. The discussion will be on the future of healthcare and the importance of diverse perspectives.

The Employee Resource Group Roundtable Discussion will be held on April 2 at 2 p.m. in Room 360 of Pawley Hall. Hosted by the Initiatives for Eradicating Racism Task Force with the OU Employee Resource Group leadership teams will be a faculty roundtable discussion. 

“Preparing Students for Success in Health Care Careers Meaningful Discussions about the Path to Success” is one of the events held on April 3. At 9 a.m. at the OC’s Founder’s Ballrooms, Nelson will present before students from Pontiac School District and Pontiac Promise about careers in the healthcare field. OU and Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine (OUWB) professionals will also speak at the event. 

The “Dinner with Future Doctors Panel Discussion” will be held on April 3 at 6 p.m. at the Corewell Health William Beaumont University Hospital Administration building. OUWB medical students and Corewell Health physicians will address culturally responsive physicians in today’s world, the diverse healthcare needs of patients and the importance of self-care. Nelson will give opening remarks and facilitate the panel discussion.

April 4 will see a large repertoire of OU administrators, professors and professionals at the “How Do We Care for Our Health and Wellness in a Changing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Environment?” event. 

In OC’s Founder’s Ballroom A at 6 p.m., OU President Ora Hirsh Pezcovitz, Nelson and four other experts in healthcare and academia panelists will discuss the complexities of DEI in healthcare. Black women’s health and mental health in higher education, access to health care and strategies for promoting well-being and resilience will also be discussion topics.

The week will conclude with the “Unification Day of Student Leadership Lunch-n-Learn Roundtable Talks” on Friday, April 5. At 1 p.m. in O’Dowd Hall, Room 204, Nelson will speak about the value and impact of student leadership.

DEI promotion strategies, global education, solutions to social issues and community support will also be discussed before Nelson departs from OU. 

Visit the OU Events Calendar for a detailed list of events.