Panel discussion explores LGBTQ* African American experiences

The panel discussion session “TI: We Are Here!” will explore the African American LGBTQ* experience on Saturday, September 19, from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Central (downtown) branch of the Lexington Public Library. The panel is sponsored by the UK Libraries Special Collections Research Center, Bluegrass Black Pride, the UK Department of African American and Africana Studies, and JusFundKY.

Panelists will share life experiences and will discuss the LGBTQ* space within African American Studies. Participants are:

Dr. Chamara Jewel Kwakye, assistant professor in UK Gender and Women's Studies and UK African American and Africana Studies

Keenen S. McMillin, a 2015 UK graduate and a co-founder and first president of the student organization Shades of Pride

Charles E. Crutcher, nursing care technician with UK HealthCare. Initial member, organizer, and active supporter of Bluegrass Black Pride.

Carol Taylor-Shim, social justice educator with the Violence Intervention and Prevention Center at UK and former social worker in child welfare.

Thomas Tolliver, community advocate and an East End activist in Lexington, as well as a historian and former journalist. Initial member, organizer, and continued supporter of Bluegrass Black Pride.

Stacie Williams, archivist and Learning Lab manager for the UK Special Collections Research Center, and a former journalist. Also teaches in the UK School of Library and Information Science.

Jen Martin appointed to LBGTQ* faculty/staff advisory board

Jen Martin

Jen Martin, assistant head of circulation at William T. Young Library, is a member of the faculty/staff advisory board for the newly-formed UK Office of LGBTQ* Resources. She was appointed in August 2015 to serve a one-year term.

The board supports the work of the Office of LGBTQ* Resources in its mission to highlight LGBTQ* experiences while decreasing marginalization on campus. Board members represent and promote the Office of LGBTQ* Resources, attend at least six to eight meetings of the board per year, and volunteer for at least one Office of LGBTQ* Resources event per academic semester.

Thanks to Jen for representing UK Libraries on this important UK committee.