Akan Malici | Who Gets to be an American?

America’s story of inclusion, immigration, and justice. Join Akan as he discusses America’s next chapters of acceptance and equality as shaped by his experience of growing up as Muslim in Germany.Akan Malici Furman University About Akan Akan Malici is from a Turkish and Albanian family. He grew up in Germany, and in college he studied
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Sarai Bautista | Life as an American Dreamer

Join Sarai in her journey as an American Dreamer. About Sarai Sarai Bautista is a 28 year old DACA recipient originally from Mexico. Sarai has testified before Pickens and Greenville County delegations, churches, colleges, and local organizations in behalf of dreamers. She has been part of a statewide effort to advance South Carolina’s DACA recipients
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Samantha Wallace | Emerging Women in Politics

Samantha S. Wallace is the co-founder and publisher of edible Upcountry, a magazine dedicated to celebrating the regional food culture and sustainable foodways of upstate South Carolina. She is also one of the original co-founders of M.Judson, an independent bookstore in downtown Greenville. Politically, Sam was instrumental in leading upstate representation to the Women’s March
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Jaime Firecoat | Remove the Fear from Honest Living

Jaime Fivecoat is a retired manager at an international tire manufacturer. Jaime is a Board Member of the Obesity Action Coalition, Upstate Pride SC, a writer for NY Times and a cancer survivor.
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Courtney Tollison-Hartness | Bending Towards Justice

Courtney Tollison Hartness teaches History at Furman University and serves as Public Historian throughout the Upstate. A native Greenvillian, she works closely with local media and various community organizations to highlight local history throughout our community. Courtney Tollison Hartness teaches History at Furman University and serves as Public Historian throughout the Upstate. A native Greenvillian,
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Susan Stall | Sex and World Peace: Why We Need to Care about Gender Equality

Research shows that gender equality and gender diversity improve economic development, promote peace, and improve the performance of companies and governments. While gender inequality impacts all women and men around the world, for some women and girls it is a matter of life or death. Every year 4 million women and girls disappear, simply because
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Ame Sanders | Are You a Threat to Your Community?

Can your biases cause harm? Explore your implicit and internal bias… Ame challenges you to self-assess and shares the benefit of change for your community.
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Brunson & Jackson | Spoken Word for Justice: Stand Down

Teaming up for the first time ever, spoken word artists Tavis Brunson and Shanita Jackson have graced many stages throughout the U.S., leaving their audiences in a snap-and-clap frenzy! About Tavis Tavis is a native of Columbia, SC. He has been performing poetry professionally since 2003, bringing through his words inspiration flavored with a generous dose
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Joe Mercado | Atheism in the Bible Belt

Not everyone around us shares our own beliefs – and that’s okay. Open minds, open hearts, and a community where everyone belongs is Joe’s wish. About Joe Joe is currently the President of Piedmont Humanists and a member of the Interfaith Forum Board. Originally from Williamsport, PA, where he lived until the age of 30,
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Ivy Hill | Drawing a Blank: Unboxing Gender

About Ivy A leader of inclusion and diversity in South Carolina and beyond, Ivy invites us to become comfortable with a new definition of gender.
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Roxy Moorecox | Unzipping Stereotypes

With a glance inside her life, her humor, and her heart, Roxy asks us to unmake our minds about stereotypes that restrict our ability to love our neighbors as ourselves. A buxom drag queen and native of Greenville, she performs for the first time in her home town. Dressed in a full length, provocative, hot-red
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Caroline Caldwell | They Paid Their Time, Now What?

Did you know that states base the number of prison cells they need on the number of failing 3rd grade boys? This and many other facts about a quiet part of our society, our prison systems, are brought to light by Caroline Caldwell. There are a number of paradoxes for convicted offenders. After they do
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