15 December 2011

Revisiting Race at Emerson College

taliawhyte WGBH college, diversity, Emerson College, Lee Pelton, race relations, racism

I recently had a chance to go back to my alma mater Emerson College to speak to some current students of color about the state of race relations on campus. The four students in the video are executive board members of Emerson’s Black Organization with Natural Interests (EBONI). In recent years, the school has been plagued with accusations of subtle racism and lacking racial diversity among its faculty and student body.

A couple of years ago, two black professors accused Emerson of denying them tenure because of their race. Up until that time, Emerson College had only granted tenure to just three black professors in its 129-year history. There have also been many claims by students of color over the years that they didn’t feel welcomed by their white counterparts on campus.

Watch the video here

30 September 2011

Focus on Higher Education

taliawhyte Global Wire Associates achievement gap, Boston, diversity, education, Robert Caret, University of Massachusetts

University of Massachusetts President Robert Caret spoke to Boston reporters Sep. 29 about some new initiatives he would like to undertake during his tenure. I talked to him about his thoughts on closing the achievement gap between white students and students of color. Caret also talked about his thoughts on why public higher education should remain accessible to students of all economic backgrounds. “More money is spent on prisons than on higher education,” he said.

25 July 2011

Focus on Media Diversity

taliawhyte Global Wire Associates CNN, diversity, journalism, media, Soledad O'Brien

I interviewed CNN reporter Soledad O’Brien, who was the keynote speaker at the Urban League of Eastern Massachusetts’ “State of Black Boston” Symposium July 25, 2011. O’Brien discusses the challenges of improving racial diversity in the newsroom and her upcoming “Black in America” and “Latino in America” documentaries.

29 November 2007

Olmos talks showbiz diversity at Emerson

taliawhyte Uncategorized diversity, Edward James Olmos, Hollywood

By Talia Whyte

The Bay State Banner

Acclaimed actor and activist Edward James Olmos visited Emerson College last week, delivering the school’s annual Balfour Distinguished Lecture on Diversity and speaking to students about the state of racial diversity — or lack thereof — in the entertainment industry.

Read the full article here.