Schedule

PANEL | Slow Deaths, Short Wakes: Standing in Houston’s Public Education Hurricane

Saron Regassa, Andrea Tribble, Milo Hewlett | Houston Organization for Political Education (HOPE) at University of Houston

Moderator: Ugochi Emenha, Rice Education, Rice Univeristy

BLACK HOUSTON(S) AWARD & PRESENTATION

PACESETTER AWARD | Reagan Flowers, President and CEO of C-STEM Teacher and Student Support Services, Inc.

PANEL | The Science of Antiracist Archaeology as a Tool to Un-Erase Houston’s Black Past

Intro to Antiracist Archaeology | Alicia Odewale, African American Studies, University of Houston & Molly Morgan, Department of Anthropology, Rice University

An Introduction to Archaeology MOOC Grounded in Antiracist Archaeology | Kesia Knowles, Rice Online Learning, Rice University; Mary Margaret Speed, Rice University '26; Molly Morgan, Department of Anthropology, Rice University

Curricula on Black Survivance and Resilience in Historically Black Towns | Alicia Odewale, African American Studies, University of Houston & Khadene Harris, Department of Anthropology, Rice University

The Power of Archaeology in Preserving the Legacies of Freedmen’s Town | Sharon Fletcher, Houston Freedmen’s Town Conservancy

The Role of Archaeology in the Preservation of Historic Black Cemeteries at the Evergreen Negro Cemetery in Houston | Lisa Jedkins, Project Respect, Evergreen Negro Cemetery Project; Zanitra Wells, Project Respect, Archaeology Now - Houston; Alicia Odewale, African American Studies, University of Houston; Keith McNeal, Department of Comparative Cultural Studies, University of Houston & Robert Stewart

Moderator: Portia Hopkins, Fondren Library, Rice University

PANEL | The POWER of Production: Praxis and Possibilities

Digitizing Texas Southern University’s Artistic Treasures | Kamilah Davis, Ken Jackson, Rita Reyes & Ben Schachter | University Museum at Texas Southern

From STEM to STEAM: A Study of Outcomes from Arts Integration into Science, Technology, Engineering and Math Through the HISD School System and Community Organizations in Houston in the Late 20th Century | April M. Frazier, Community Artists' Collective

Bridging STEM and Black Cultural Production: Innovations in Economic, Social, and Artistic Development in Afro-Diasporic Houston | Ato Nyankom, Nyankom Organization for the Arts and Humanities

Moderator: Erika Thompson, Rice University Center for African and African American Studies (CAAAS)

PANEL | Digital ancestors: the felt and seen

Viktor le Givens, Southern Android Institute; Stacey Allen, Nia’s Daughters Movement Collective; Adesola Akinleye, Texas Women’s University

PANEL | AgriCULTURAL & Environmental Futures

Sunnyside Strong: The Effects of Environmental Racism in South Houston | V. Celina Silva, Office of International Students and Scholars, Rice University

NextGen: Innovations in Agriculture and Technology Empowering the Leaders of Tomorrow | Alexis Brown, Prairie View A&M University

Moderator: Noah Rattler, Noah's Walk

PANEL | Contemporary Artists’ Investigation of Afro-Surrealism, Afro-Materialities, and Collective Memory Within Historic Black Houston(s)

Nathaniel Donnett, Cultural Practitioner; Anthony Suber, Interdisciplinary Artist; Kaima Marie Akarue, Artist

Moderator: Zahrah Butler, University Museum at Texas Southern

PANEL | Black STEAM Pedagogies

Afrochemistry: The study of Black-life matter | Brooke Johnson, Department of Chemistry, Rice University

Movement and Mind: The Role of Afro-Diasporic Dance in Facilitating Neurological Recovery and Advancing Trauma-Informed STEAM Curricula for Black Communities in Houston | Edith Ibeke, Joint Admission Medical Program (JAMP), Rice University; Mariam Falana, Office of Undergraduate Research and Inquiry, Rice University

Moderator: Hassan Henderson-Lott, Department of Religion PhD Program, Rice University

PERFORMANCE | Words to Live By: A Tribute to Nikki Giovanni

A powerful dance performance that honors the life and legacy of the iconic poet, activist, and storyteller. Through movement and poetry, this performance weaves together Nikki Giovanni's profound words to reflect on the past, present, and future of her artistic journey. The dancers bring her poetry to life, exploring themes of freedom, love, resilience, and transformation. This tribute captures the spirit of Giovanni’s work, celebrating her impact on generations of artists and activists. A poignant and soulful exploration of her enduring influence, "Words to Live By" invites the audience to reflect on how we can live her truths in our own time.

KEYNOTE | Dark Matter: Meta knowledge, Interior Infinitude

Philip Butler, Assistant Professor of Theology and Black Posthuman Artificial Intelligence Systems, Iliff School of Theology