Social justice issues focus of Whatcom Community College event

Social-justice issues like sexual identity, depression and bullying will be the focus of a daylong free conference at Whatcom Community College on Saturday, May 7.

The Students Leading Change conference is scheduled for 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Syre Student Center on campus at 235 W. Kellogg Road. The student-organized conference, held for the last two years and open to everyone, is to discuss ways to create a “more inclusive community,” according to WCC.

Kicking off the conference is a keynote presentation by Scott Turner Schofield, a male transgender actor and performer. Schofield, according to WCC, is also an educator on transgender issues, and has helped change nondiscrimination policies for colleges and corporations across the country.

Following the presentation, WCC students will lead three 45-minute workshops centered on specific social-justice issues, like racial profiling and bullying.

WCC will provide free refreshments during the conference’s lunch break, which will also feature Sikh martial arts and Folklórico dance performances from Western Washington University.

Find conference details and register for the event at whatcom.edu/sojep.

Kyle Mittan

This story was originally published May 4, 2016 at 3:29 AM with the headline "Social justice issues focus of Whatcom Community College event."