The co-directors of the Forum on Racial Justice in America say they are focused on creating a national advisory board, consisting of individuals who can help Boston College identify specific issues of racial justice and reconciliation that the University and its faculty are uniquely positioned to address, with the goal of making Boston College a leading voice in the national discourse on race.
Forum Co-Directors Joy Moore and Greg Kalscheur, S.J.
Morrissey College of Arts and Sciences Dean Greg Kalscheur, S.J., and Vice President Joy Moore, who assumed leadership of the Forum in September from former Law School Dean Vince Rougeau, said that they are recruiting a diverse group of individuals who are leaders in higher education, business, law, criminal justice, and advocacy to identify issues of national importance that Boston College—through its mission and intellectual resources—can study and address in effective ways.
“Faculty colleagues from across BC's schools and departments possess a wealth of expertise related to race, racism, racial justice, and reconciliation,” said Fr. Kalscheur. “In concert with the national advisory board, we look forward to working with them to develop scholarly programming that will promote depth of thought and creative approaches to addressing the critical issues facing our nation, as we strive to build equitable and inclusive communities in which all people can flourish.”
“We hope a National Advisory Board will guide us as to what are the most pressing concerns regarding racial injustice on a national level, to which we should be directing our energy and offering our help,” said Moore. “BC has many resources, including the expertise of its faculty and the wide range and depth of their scholarship. Highlighting the work of faculty within the Forum will help expand our knowledge, and broaden our viewpoints and perspectives.”
The Forum on Racial Justice in America was established in 2020 by University President William P. Leahy, S.J., as a University-wide initiative to provide a meeting place for listening, dialogue, and greater understanding about race and racism in America.
Since being named co-directors, Fr. Kalscheur and Moore said they are focused on the Forum’s two key objectives: providing a meeting place for listening, dialogue, and greater understanding about race and racism—especially ideas for dealing with current challenges and planning for a better future, and serving as a catalyst for bridging differences regarding race in America, promoting reconciliation, and encouraging fresh perspectives.
Both said they would work closely with Fr. Leahy and senior leadership of Boston College, as well its national board of advisors, to achieve the Forum’s objectives.
The co-directors said that as they work on constructing the national advisory board they are also discussing ideas for a Forum event either in the spring or fall.
“We are committed to promoting racial justice through the important work of this Forum,” said Moore. “We look forward to working with our University partners and the national advisory board in the years to come.”
University Communications | February 2022