Join us for a conversation between Imani Cheers, BFA ’02, associate professor of media and public affairs at the George Washington University; Jason Green, AB ’03, producer of “Finding Fellowship” and co-founder of SkillSmart. They will discuss the film “Finding Fellowship,” social justice, history, community, and more. Mary McKay, vice provost of interdisciplinary initiatives at WashU will moderate the discussion.
About Finding Fellowship
Finding Fellowship goes back in time to 1968, an unmistakably divided time of student protest and racial unrest, to share the remarkable story of three racially segregated churches coming together in the wake of Martin Luther King’s assassination. The film is also about the power of people coming together in a shared interest and how that can only be achieved when actively pursued.
Stream “Finding Fellowship” for free before the event.
Wednesdays with WashU is a webinar series featuring Washington University in St. Louis alumni, faculty, parents, and friends from around the world.
Registrants will receive a follow-up email on Wednesday, July 27 at 10 a.m. CDT with the link to the livestream.
Imani Cheers is an associate professor of digital storytelling at the George Washington University and a cultural curator. She is also the director of academic adventures for Planet Forward. Cheers earned her BFA from WashU. She earned a master’s in African Studies and a doctorate in mass communication and media studies from Howard University. Cheers is an award-winning digital storyteller, director, producer, and filmmaker. As a professor of practice, she uses a variety of mediums including video, photography, television, and film to document and discuss issues affecting and involving people of the African diaspora. Her scholarly focus is on the intersection of women/girls, technology, health, conflict, agriculture, and the effects of climate change in sub-Saharan Africa. Cheers is also an expert on diversity in Hollywood, specifically the representation of Black women in television and film. She is the author of “The Evolution of Black Women in Television: Mammies, Matriarchs, and Mistresses.” Her work has been supported by the Ford Foundation and the International Reporting Project. Cheers is also a regular contributor for international news outlets including BBC, CGTN America, and CTN Canada, offering insight into American race relations and popular culture. At the George Washington University, Cheers has earned university awards for her exceptional mentorship of graduate students and for her excellence in teaching.
Jason Green is a Maryland-based attorney, entrepreneur, and thought leader on economic opportunity and the future of work. He serves as the executive-in-residence for Zeal Capital Partners, a D.C.-based inclusive investing firm focused on eliminating the skills and wealth gap. In 2013, Green co-founded SkillSmart, an award-winning enterprise that empowers communities by providing a skills-based ecosystem to connect employers, job seekers, and education providers. Before co-founding SkillSmart, he held several positions in local and federal government, most recently serving as associate counsel to President Barack Obama. Prior to his time at the White House, Green served as the national voter registration director for the 2008 Obama Campaign. He earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from WashU and a law degree from Yale University. Green recently completed his first documentary, “Finding Fellowship,” a story of hope about the unlikely merger of three segregated churches in the divided 1960s.
Mary McKay is the vice provost for interdisciplinary initiatives at WashU. In this role, she works to enhance interdisciplinary research and education across the campus and to build the collaborations needed to ensure the successful implementation of the university’s strategic plan. With more than 200 publications, McKay brings a wealth of critical scholarship and leadership in the areas of poverty, mental health, and the health-prevention needs of poverty-impacted youth and families. Prior to joining WashU, McKay was the McSilver Professor of Social Work and the inaugural director of the McSilver Institute for Poverty Policy and Research at New York University's Silver School of Social Work.
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