Conversations
presented by
Mike Wiley Productions
Join award-winning actor and playwright Mike Wiley and nationally known thought leaders for a series of virtual conversations examining issues of race, justice, and social equity.
About Higher Ground
Join Us on a New Road
We need to have open, honest and multi-sided conversations about the historic and systematic racism that paralyzes this country. The kind of conversations that rattle foundations and long-held beliefs, that work deep wounds with the hope to heal. If you believe in the Beloved Community and are willing to do the work needed to dismantle white supremacy, join us for Higher Ground Journeys.
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Our Next Guests
Our Higher Ground Conversations kick off with an amazing line-up. Mike Wiley interviews Presiding Bishop Curry of The Episcopal Church, North Carolina Poet Laureate Jaki Shelton Green will read selections of her poetry, and esteemed gospel singer Jennifer Evans will set the mood with a song. Watch this space each month for information on our next guests. We’ll also be posting videos of each program shortly after each event.
Register below in the Distinguished Speakers section and join us September 17, 2020 at 7:00pm.
Register early as capacity is limited.
John Biewen
Journalist and Audio Documentarian
Seeing White: Exploring The History Of Race And White Supremacy And What It Will Take To Dismantle Racism.
John Biewen is audio program director at the Center for Documentary Studies at Duke University, where he teaches and produces the Center’s documentary podcast, Scene on Radio. Since 2015, Scene on Radio has received more than 7 million downloads and the show’s Seeing White series was nominated for a 2017 Peabody Award.
Laurelyn Dossett
Singer | Songwriter
Laurelyn Dossett lives and writes in the piedmont of North Carolina. Thematically, her songs tend to mirror the stories of the region – both historical and contemporary. She has performed at regional music festivals such as Merlefest and been a guest on the radio show Prairie Home Companion. She has toured with Rhiannon Giddens, folk legend Alice Gerrard, and composer/violinist Daniel Bernard Roumain.
Deborah Stroman, PhD, CLU
Race & Racism Educator
Dr. Deborah Stroman specializes in leadership as applied to the domain of racial equity in the United States. Dr. Stroman has three decades of extensive experience working with senior administrators, faculty, staff, students and alumni on leadership and equity issues on campus and beyond.
REGISTRATION
To register for an event, please scroll down to the Distinguished Speaker section and click the speaker in which you’re interested and then the register button on the description of the event. Just complete the form to secure your invitation. You must sign up for each event individually.
All Higher Ground Conversations are free and open to the public. We are accepting donations in our virtual tip jar to cover the costs of the series and continue to attract quality guests in the future. We certainly appreciate and value your support.
Schedule of Speakers
ALL EVENTS ARE FROM 7:00PM TO 8:30PM
August 20, 2020 | The Very Right Reverend Michael Curry – WATCH NOW!
September 17, 2020 | John Biewen
October 15, 2020 | Dr. Rupert Nacoste
November 19, 2020 | Young People’s Program
December 17, 2020 | Dr. Heather Thompson
January 21, 2021 | Daniele McGuire
February 18, 2021 | Dr. David Cecelski
March 18, 2021 | Loki Mulholland
April 15, 2021 | Dr. Carolyn McKinstry
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MIKE WILEY PRODUCTIONS
“If the house is to be set in order, one cannot begin with the present, he must begin with the past.” – John Hope Franklin
Mike Wiley Productions is a driving force in the development and promotion of documentary theatre. Led by actor and playwright, Mike Wiley, the company’s plays span the worlds of Emmett Till, Henry “Box” Brown, Jackie Robinson and more. Each work in the company’s repertoire is designed to inspire audiences to examine America’s racial history, teach the lessons of the past and encourage the application of these truths to the present.
Through his performances, Wiley has introduced countless students and communities to the legacies of Emmett Till, Henry “Box” Brown and more. His recent works include a one-man play based on Tim Tyson’s memoir Blood Done Sign My Name and The Parchman Hour, an ensemble production celebrating the bravery and determination of the Freedom Riders who risked their lives to desegregate Southern interstate bus travel in 1961.
Mike Wiley has a Masters of Fine Arts from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and was the 2010 and 2014 Lehman Brady Visiting Joint Chair Professor in Documentary Studies and American Studies at Duke University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Most recently he was named a Distinguished Alumni of UNC-Chapel Hill and was the recipient of the 2020 Ann Atwater Theater Award, recognizing Triangle theater artists whose body of work reflects and honors Ann Atwater’s lifelong commitment to activism for social justice.
For more information about Mike Wiley Productions or to book Mike for a performance, please visit www.mikewileyproductions.com or reach out to Stephen Barefoot at stephen@goingbarefoot.com or call 919.489.1541.
Sponsors
CONTACT
Have a question or want to learn more about Higher Ground Journeys and/or Mike Wiley Productions?
Please complete the form(s) below.
Contact Mike Wiley Productions.
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Stephen Barefoot
goingbarefoot Inc.
1410 Shepherd Street
Durham, NC 27707
Office: 919.489.1541
stephen@goingbarefoot.com
http://www.goingbarefoot.com
goingbarefoot Inc.
1410 Shepherd Street
Durham, NC 27707
Office: 919.489.1541
stephen@goingbarefoot.com
http://www.goingbarefoot.com
