"Who is Black in America?" panel discussion moderated by Soledad O'Brien
Channel: Yaba Blay
Date: 2012-12-18

CNN’s Soledad O’Brien joins Drexel University for an advance screening of the new documentary “Who is Black in America?” on Tuesday, Dec. 4, from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m., part of a multi-part series moderated by O'Brien, which explores issues of colorism and identity. In the hour-long documentary, O'Brien follows two 17-year-olds, Becca Khalil and Nayo Jones, on their journeys to find their racial identities. She examines important and provocative questions, such as what does black look like in the United States of America in 2012? Who defines black? And why is there an argument - or disagreement at all - about who counts as black? Can someone choose to be black? Isn't race assigned at birth, just like gender? If race is a choice for some people, why pick black? Why not? 

Panelists include:

Dr. Yaba Blay (@fiyawata), Assistant Teaching Professor for Drexel Africana Studies; Consulting Producer for CNN's Black in America

Michaela angela Davis, writer, image activist, and creator of MAD Free

Perry 'Vision' DiVirgilio, Artistic Director for the Philly Youth Poetry Movement; Executive Director of Spoken Soul 215

Danyel Smith, former Editor-in-Chief of Billboard Magazine

Dr. Donald Tibbs, Associate Professor of Law at Earle Mack School of Law, Drexel University