Upcoming Events
University of South Carolina - Commencement Speaker
Dr. Russell Booker will inspire USC Upstate’s class of 2024 as they launch their careers or enter their respective graduate programs. Congratulations to the class of 2024!
Harvard Graduate School - Askwith Forum Speaker
Dr. Booker served as an Askwith Forum Speaker. Please see the description shared by the Harvard Graduate School of Education:
“Join us to explore the future of cradle-to-career, place-based partnerships. Over the past two decades, these collaborative efforts have become a critical and increasingly popular approach to addressing our nation's most pressing socioeconomic and educational challenges. From the pioneering work of the Harlem Children's Zone to the Federal Promise Neighborhoods program and the broader collective impact movement, place-based partnerships have emerged as networks of people and organizations in the same geographic area working together to achieve shared goals, change systems, and improve community outcomes. This work intentionally broadens the boundaries of education beyond schooling to include the broader ecosystem of children's lived experience and the supports and opportunities each family needs to restore social mobility in this country. Our speakers will discuss the potential of the cradle-to-career movement to eliminate intergenerational poverty and strengthen our democracy.”
Harvard University Cross Sector Leadership Series
Dr. Russell Booker to participate in a discussion on “the role of city governments and school systems in advancing cradle-to-career solutions for young people.”
Viking Early College - Discussion of Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Letter from a Birmingham Jail
Monthly Lunch and Learns with senior Viking Early College students.
StriveTogether Virtual Convening
Dr. Booker will provide the opening welcome to hundreds of convening attendees across the nation. StriveTogether’s Cradle to Career Network builds on successes from coast to coast, representing nearly 70 communities across 29 states and Washington, D.C.
Southeast Tourism Society Conference - Connections 2021
Dr. Booker will lead a breakout session entitled Equity Matters, taking a deep dive into understanding equity and its impact on our community. Participants will deepen their understanding of why several of our nation’s most forward-thinking communities and organizations have committed themselves to achieving greater equity for their citizens. Most importantly, we will become better equipped to advocate for a more diverse, inclusive, and equitable community in our respective areas.
Gaston Day School
One Acorn will lead a discussion about Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion with the board of trustees and administration of Gaston Day School.
Viking Early College
As a part of their monthly Lunch and Learn, Dr. Booker and Bill Barnet are excited to have joining them two outstanding community leaders – Darrin Goss and John Simpkins. As we continue a month-long celebration of the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. they are looking forward to their annual discussion of his famous writing, Letter from a Birmingham Jail (August 1963).
Dr. Booker to join panel discussion hosted by The Riley Institute at Furman University
The Riley Institute and the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, and , more recently, South Carolina ETV, have partnered to bring to Furman and the broader community the annual StraighTalk series. Dr. Booker will join Angela Glover Blackwell - founder in residence at PolicyLink, John Simpkins - president of MDC, and Gavin Jackson - host of South Carolina ETV’s This Week in South Carolina during the last session of The Riley Institute’s three-part weekly series entitled Straight Talk 2021: Structural Racism.
https://www.furman.edu/riley/speaker-award-events/speaker-events/straighttalk-2021-structural-racism/
Dr. Booker speaks to Leadership South Carolina - Economic Development Day
Dr. Booker will speak to the participants of Leadership South Carolina on Equity and Inclusion and Business Development.
Gibbs Cancer Center & Research Institute: Unconscious Bias Training
As a part of One Acorn’s ongoing relationship with Gibbs Cancer Center & Research Institute, an Unconscious Bias training session will be conducted by Ms. Ricaye Harris of Milliken & Company.
Spartanburg Racial Equity Collaborative: Racial Healing Circle
Dr. Booker will participate in a community Racial Healing Circle, a tool to “provide opportunities to engage with perceived others in ways that enable self-reflection and nonthreatening acknowledgement of one’s own previously unquestioned assumptions and biases.” This process was developed by Dr. Gail Christopher during her tenure as Vice President for Policy and Senior Adviser for the Kellogg Foundation.
Converse College Guest Lecturer: Brand Identity
Dr. Booker will share with students insights into creating their personal brand.
City of Spartanburg MLK Unity Celebration
This four-part series hosted by the City of Spartanburg will address issues of health, community, racial injustice and education. Leading up to and following the MLK Virtual Celebration on January 18. Dr. Booker will serve as a guest panelist along with SMC President Scott Cochran in a conversation surrounding equity in education and the impact of COVID-19 on our students.
Greenville-Pitt County Chamber of Commerce Annual Community Unity Event
The Community Unity event, normally an in-person breakfast, is held on the commemoration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday to celebrate and expand diversity initiatives in Greenville and Pitt County. Dr. Booker will be the featured speaker. The 2021 Community Unity event will be shared via live stream.
Viking Early College
As a part of their monthly Lunch and Learn, Dr. Booker and Bill Barnet are excited to have joining them two outstanding community leaders – Darrin Goss and John Simpkins. As we continue a month-long celebration of the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. they are looking forward to their annual discussion of his famous writing, Letter from a Birmingham Jail (August 1963).