2022's Diversity Week brought the Harris community together in a special way to celebrate our diversity and the unique stories, opinions, and ideas that each of us brings to Harris. Through healthy discourse, food, and fellowship, we hope to enhance our mutual understanding and allow ourselves to think differently about how to impact the world beyond Harris.

Diversity Week at Harris underscores our commitment to ensuring diversity and inclusion in the classroom, in the community, and beyond. All Harris students and community members are encouraged to attend this groundbreaking series of events.


Monday, April 25th

Diversity Week Kickoff

Monday, April 25 | 5:30–7 p.m. Central Standard Time

Join your fellow identity-based HSO leaders in a conversation on the importance of diversity and inclusion in the field of public policy. Following the conversation, mix and mingle with your classmates as we celebrate our diversity at Harris with shared food and drink.


Tuesday, April 26th

WIPPS & CDO: Salary Negotiation Breakfast

Tuesday, April 26 | 8:30–9:30 a.m. Central Standard Time

Join us to learn how to successfully negotiate and position yourself for a rewarding career.

Disability Justice and Policy in Action Panel

Tuesday, April 26 | 12:30–1:45 p.m. Central Standard Time

Join us as we host a panel of experts who will discuss current disability policy issues and how we can work to advocate for change. The conversation will include:  

  • Charnessa Warren: Director, University of Chicago Student Disability Services  
  • Rahnee Patrick: Director, Illinois Division of Rehabilitation Services, 
  • Barry Taylor: Lecturer in Law, University of Chicago Law School  

The discussion will be moderated by Ibrahim Rashid, 2022 Master of Public Policy Candidate.


Wednesday, April 27th

Queer OUTreach: LGBTQIA+ Rights and Representation

Wednesday, April 27 | 12:00–1:15 p.m. Central Standard Time

Join us as we host a panel of experts who will discuss current policy issues important to the LGBTQIA+ community. The conversation will include:  

  • LaSaia Wade: Founder and Executive Director, Brave Space Alliance   
  • Brandon Hill; Executive Director, Center for Education, Research, and Advocacy at Howard Brown Health 

The discussion will be moderated by Patrick Landes, 2023 Master of Public Policy Candidate and Co-President of OUTPolitik.


Thursday, April 28th

Building Community: Black and Asian Solidarity Dialogue

Thursday, April 28 | 12:30–1:45 p.m. Central Standard Time

Join us in a conversation about what solidarity means. What is allyship and how do we collectively move forward when we have a greater appreciation for our histories?

The conversation will be led by InterAction Initiative Inc, a Chicago-based, women of color founded and led organization whose mission is to harness "the power of counter-narratives - stories from the margins - to build communities that embrace and prioritize inclusion, intersectionality, and racial equity."

Kent Lecture

Thursday, April 28 | 6:00 p.m. Central Standard Time
(Reception to Follow)

Join the Organization of Black Students and the University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy for the George E. Kent Lecture, featuring award-winning author, educator, and producer Ilyasah Shabazz


Friday, April 29th

Diaspora Discussions: Black Identity, Politics & Leadership

Friday, April 29 | 11:00 a.m. Central Standard Time

BAPPS & LAM invite you to register for the roundtable discussion with the Vice President of Costa Rica, Epsy Campbell Barr, on Friday, April 29 at 11 am in Keller 0021 & Zoom.

Hire Black Harris

Friday, April 29 | 12:30–2:00 p.m. Central Standard Time

Hire Black Harris will be a panel discussion aimed towards providing Harris students with a variety of perspectives related to current hiring trends, diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, and general and specific best practices for applying, interviewing, signing on, and starting a role. Panelists will include Harris alumni, career coaches, and current industry professionals. This event is presented by Black Action in Public Policy Studies and the Career Development Office.