Black Consciousness Explorations

Activist and community leader Dr. Nia Nunn will launch Story House Ithaca's “Placemakers” series with a presentation called “Black Consciousness Explorations in Ithaca.”

The free event will take place via Zoom on Tuesday, February 15 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Register here.

Dr. Nunn is an associate professor of education at Ithaca College, executive director of the Community Unity Music Education Program (CUMEP), and president of the board of directors of Southside Community Center. She says she wears “multiple additional headwraps” as a mother, scholar, artist, activist, yogi, and consultant in Ithaca and across the country.

She describes herself as “a scholar and creator of programs designed to empower and uplift the voices, artistic and self-expression, and literacy of youth, particularly Black youth, and especially Black girls.” By engaging young people in critical reflection about Black consciousness, she says, her work “demands radical vulnerability in both an intense and graceful manner.”

In addition to talking about her work with local youth, Dr. Nunn will provide a preview of activities celebrating Black History Month and Women's History Month at Southside. 

She will give a second presentation on Tuesday, March 22, also from 5:30 to 6:30. If public health conditions permit, this event will be in person at the community center at 305 S. Plain Street in Ithaca. 

The “Placemakers” series is a showcase for creative people and groups using art and culture to build community. Presenters this winter and spring will include Christa Nuñez of The Learning Farm, Marietta Synodis and Florenz Gilly of This Is Ithaca, Rebecca Nelson and Johannes Lehmann of The Soil Factory, and Lesley Greene and Jonathan Miller of Story House Ithaca.