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X-WR-CALDESC:Events for OAMI
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20250119T160000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20250119T180000
DTSTAMP:20250120T035831Z
CREATED:20250116T163000Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250120T035831Z
UID:5374-1737302400-1737309600@oami.umich.edu
SUMMARY:Giving Voice! A concert of songs\, duets\, and spirituals by African American composers featuring Kisma Jordan\, soprano & Robert Sims\, lyric baritone with pianist Timothy Cheek
DESCRIPTION:Kerrytown Concert House is honored to welcome critically-acclaimed and award-winning  classical artists\, Detroit-based soprano Kisma Jordan and Chicago-based lyric baritone Robert Sims with pianist Timothy Cheek\, who will come together on the eve of Martin Luther King Jr. Day for a compelling presentation of African American Art Songs & Spirituals.  Please join us for what is sure to be a stunning and profound collaboration in KCH’s salon setting. \nKisma Jordan\, soprano;\nRobert Sims\, lyric baritone;\nTimothy Cheek\, piano
URL:https://oami.umich.edu/mlk-symposium-event/giving-voice-a-concert-of-songs-duets-and-spirituals-by-african-american-composers-featuring-kisma-jordan-soprano-robert-sims-lyric-baritone-with-pianist-timothy-cheek/
LOCATION:Kerrytown Concert House\, 415 N. 4th Avenue\, Ann Arbor\, M\, 48104\, United States
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://oami.umich.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Giving-Voice.webp
ORGANIZER;CN="Kerrytown Concert House":MAILTO:kch@kerrytownconcerthouse.com
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20250117T193000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20250117T210000
DTSTAMP:20241216T233954Z
CREATED:20241127T204755Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20241216T233954Z
UID:4375-1737142200-1737147600@oami.umich.edu
SUMMARY:Etienne Charles:  Earth Tones
DESCRIPTION:Trinidad-born jazz musician\, composer\, and storyteller Etienne Charles continuously searches for untold stories and the sounds with which to tell them. \nThis multimedia jazz performance features original compositions drawing attention to people and regions who are or will be severely impacted by the effects of climate change. Featuring musicians from the very communities most at risk\, the performance balances blunt reality\, eternal optimism\, and surrealism\, ultimately offering an appeal to address the future. \nTwo performances: Friday\, January 17\, 2025 7:30 PM and Saturday\, January 18\, 2025 7:30 PM
URL:https://oami.umich.edu/mlk-symposium-event/etienne-charles-earth-tones/
LOCATION:Michigan League – Lydia Mendelssohn Theatre\, 911 North University Avenue\, Ann Arbor\, MI\, 48109\, United States
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://oami.umich.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Etienne-Charles-1920x1080-1.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20250117T160000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20250117T173000
DTSTAMP:20250113T220635Z
CREATED:20250113T220612Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250113T220635Z
UID:5206-1737129600-1737135000@oami.umich.edu
SUMMARY:Linguistics MLK Colloquium
DESCRIPTION:Nicole Holliday is an Acting Associate Professor of Linguistics at the University of California\, Berkeley. Dr. Holliday is a sociophonetician\, specifically interested in how people use linguistic variation to perform and construct their social identities and to understand the identities of others through differences in their use of properties related to intonation and voice quality. More recently\, she has been focused on the social uses and effects of speech technology\, especially as they relate to the nature of variation and inequality. Dr. Holliday also works on political speech and identity\, with a special focus on Barack Obama and VP Kamala Harris. \nHer ongoing research aims to address how speakers and listeners make social judgments based on acoustic properties\, using quantitative methods\, with a concentration on prosodic variables. Nicole Holliday is currently (2020-2025) the PI on a grant entitled ““Don’t Take That Tone With Me”: Linguistic Variation and Disciplinary Action on African American Children in Schools” along with Dr. Sabriya Fisher (Wellesley College). The project is funded by the Lyle Spencer Research Awards. Over the last several years\, she taught Language and Society\, Phonetics and Introduction to Linguistics. Dr. Holliday also taught several semesters of Linguistic Discrimination\, which is conducted in the Inside-Out Prison Exchange Format.\n______________ \nCOLLOQUIUM TITLE: Sociolinguistic Competence Versus Artificial “Intelligence”: Variation in the Face of Ubiquitous Large Language Models \nABSTRACT: Linguists take it as axiomatic that speakers are experts on their languages\, both in grammar and usage. However\, as Large Language Models (LLM) trained on text and speech become ubiquitous in domains from daily tasks to education and employment\, human expertise about language is increasingly devalued. This talk will present the results of three studies that focus on how LLMs judge and purport to “fix” the speech of human talkers\, also known as Social Feedback Speech Technologies (SFSTs). The first study shows how the Amazon Halo\, a wearable device that claims to evaluate “tone of voice” does not function as advertised\, and in fact systematically negatively evaluates the speech of Black talkers. Results of the second study\, which focuses on Read.AI and the Zoom Revenue Accelerator in videoconferencing contexts\, describe how SFSTs reinforce narrow “standard” language ideologies and fail to provide actionable\, realistic feedback to users. These systems also provide systematically worse evaluations for black speakers\, as well as those who are neurodivergent. Finally\, the third study analyzes the outputs of “accent translation” programs marketed by companies such as Sanas and Krisp\, showing that such programs do not functionally “translate” accents but rather transform speech to an imagined “American” variety that is phonetically unnatural. Taken together\, the studies show that “AI”-based programs that purport to evaluate human speech do so without consideration of linguistic principles or acknowledgement of speakers’ sociolinguistic competencies. Such systems also act without transparency for both designers and users by design\, reproducing social stereotypes inherent to their training data. As a result\, they advise humans to produce unnatural speech\, and they punish speakers who do not conform to the narrow targets established by an LLM’s training data. As such technologies are already being used to make employment decisions\, provide speech therapy\, and even draft police reports\, the fact that these systems systematically misevaluate speech represents a significant threat to all human speakers\, most especially those from marginalized groups.
URL:https://oami.umich.edu/mlk-symposium-event/linguistics-mlk-colloquium/
LOCATION:4448 East Hall\, 530 Church Street\, Ann Arbor\, M\, 48109\, United States
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://oami.umich.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Nicole-Holliday.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Department of Linguistics":MAILTO:mrehfus@umich.edu
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20250117T143000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20250117T153000
DTSTAMP:20241222T003812Z
CREATED:20241220T153909Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20241222T003812Z
UID:4714-1737124200-1737127800@oami.umich.edu
SUMMARY:Jazz musician Etienne Charles examines the effects of climate change on vulnerable communities
DESCRIPTION:Jazz musician Etienne Charles explores the effects of climate change on vulnerable communities. We are excited about his appearance as the Ford School of Public Policy’s annual Martin Luther King Day speaker on January 17. \nThrough the “Earth Tones” project\, he is shining a light on the effects of climate change on some of the world’s most vulnerable communities. His multimedia performances with the University Musical Society will show his artistic and creative expression. At the Ford School\, we will hope to be able to sample a taste of that creativity\, and to probe his journey – physical and intellectual – to arriving at the concept. \nWe envisage a brief description of the project from Etienne\, with a few visuals\, followed by a conversation with a Ford School faculty member who will engage with him about: \n\n\nA history of his travels \n\n\nHis exploration of various cultures as a part of his musical research \n\n\nHis impressions of the effects of climate change on various communities \n\n\nHow climate change is disproportionately affecting underprivileged communities \n\n\nWhy it is important to elevate their stories \n\n\nHis call for the world to work on common solutions to a common threat \n\n\nThis discussion will be followed by moderated questions from the audience. \nAs a part of Charles’s presence in Ann Arbor\, the Ford School community is encouraged to also attend one of the two performances at the Lydia Mendelssohn Theater.  \nThis discussion is presented in partnership with the University Musical Society\, and is co-sponsored by the Center for Racial Justice. \nSpeaker bio: \nTrinidad born Etienne Charles is a performer\, composer and storyteller\, who is continuously searching for untold stories and sounds with which to tell them. \nHis lush trumpet sound\, varied compositional textures and pulsating percussive grooves enable him to invoke trance\, soothing and exciting listeners while referencing touchy and sometimes controversial subjects in his music. \nA 2015 Guggenheim Fellow and 2022 Creative Capital Awardee\, he researches his compositions by travelling to the regions on which he is focused\, meeting with musicians and cultural leaders then observing and participating in rituals to be fully immersed into the cultures that he is studying. \nAs an Afro-descendant\, his work is actively connecting the diaspora and drawing lines to regions at the roots of migrations. Highlighting marginalized communities and engaging with them has been his mission\, evident with projects such as Carnival: The Sound of a People Vol. 1\, San Jose Suite\, Creole Soul\, and Folklore. \nA firm believer in music and performance as a tool for provoking thought and dialogue\, Charles’ themes speak to the status quo while drawing parallels to history. With his latest commissioned project\, San Juan Hill\, he goes a step further by exploring the storied New York neighborhood to bring the culture of San Juan Hill to the mainstage.
URL:https://oami.umich.edu/mlk-symposium-event/jazz-musician-etienne-charles-examines-the-effects-of-climate-change-on-vulnerable-communities/
LOCATION:Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy\, 735 South State St\, Ann Arbor\, M\, 48109\, United States
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://oami.umich.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Untitled-design.png
ORGANIZER;CN="Daniel Rivkin":MAILTO:rivkind@umich.edu
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20250117T143000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20250117T153000
DTSTAMP:20241212T224642Z
CREATED:20241212T224356Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20241212T224642Z
UID:4632-1737124200-1737127800@oami.umich.edu
SUMMARY:Ford School of Public Policy’s Annual MLK Symposium
DESCRIPTION:Trinidad-born jazz musician\, composer\, and storyteller Etienne Charles continuously searches for untold stories and the sounds with which to tell them. \nThrough the “Earth Tones” project (presented at the Lydia Mendelssohn Theatre Jan 17-18)\, he is shining a light on the effects of climate change on some of the world’s most vulnerable communities. His multimedia performances with the University Musical Society will show his artistic and creative expression and this talk at the Ford School will provide a sample of that creativity\, and to probe his journey – physical and intellectual – to arriving at the concept. \nFollowing a talk from Charles\, he will engage in a conversation with a Ford School faculty member on the topics of: \n\n\nA history of his travels \n\n\nHis exploration of various cultures as a part of his musical research \n\n\nHis impressions of the effects of climate change on various communities \n\n\nHow climate change is disproportionately affecting underprivileged communities \n\n\nWhy it is important to elevate their stories \n\n\nHis call for the world to work on common solutions to a common threat \n\n\nThis discussion would be followed by moderated questions from the audience.
URL:https://oami.umich.edu/mlk-symposium-event/ford-school-of-public-policys-annual-mlk-symposium/
LOCATION:Ford School’s Annenberg Auditorium\, 735 S. State St.\, Ann Arbor\, M\, 48109\, United States
ORGANIZER;CN="UMS":MAILTO:lilymich@umich.edu
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20250117T100000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20250117T113000
DTSTAMP:20241211T053042Z
CREATED:20241211T052932Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20241211T053042Z
UID:4517-1737108000-1737113400@oami.umich.edu
SUMMARY:The Clements Bookworm Author Conversation with Robin Bernstein "Freeman’s Challenge: The Murder That Shook America’s Original Prison for Profit"
DESCRIPTION:Robin Bernstein’s latest book\, Freeman’s Challenge: The Murder that Shook America’s Original Prison for Profit\, exposes the true origins of profit-driven incarceration through the heartbreaking story of William Freeman\, an Afro-Native teenager who challenged the system at its source. Freeman’s Challenge examines the myth of inherent Black criminality and the strategies of resilience and resistance shown by African Americans throughout American history. Bernstein will be joined in conversation by Professor LaKisha Simmons.
URL:https://oami.umich.edu/mlk-symposium-event/the-clements-bookworm-author-conversation-with-robin-bernstein-freemans-challenge-the-murder-that-shook-americas-original-prison-for-profit/
LOCATION:Virtual
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://oami.umich.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/January_2025_Bookworm_Slide.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20250116T160000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20250116T173000
DTSTAMP:20241126T160039Z
CREATED:20241122T150242Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20241126T160039Z
UID:2133-1737043200-1737048600@oami.umich.edu
SUMMARY:Donia Human Rights Center Annual Martin Luther King\, Jr. Lecture | Racial Justice in the Inter-American System of Human Rights
DESCRIPTION:The Inter-American Human Rights system serves as a vital mechanism for promoting equity and addressing systemic discrimination in the Americas and Caribbean region. The Inter-American system has played a crucial role in combating racial and intersectional discrimination. Key to its work is the work of expert bodies or “Rapporteurs\,” including one monitoring the conditions of Afro-descendants. Our speaker will discuss the mandate\, mechanisms\, tools\, and initiatives of the Inter-American Commission and Court of Human Rights as well as the Rapporteurship on Afro- descendants and their contributions to promoting racial justice in the Americas. \nCommissioner Gloria de Mees was elected by the General Assembly of the OAS during its 53th Regular Period of Sessions\, for a four-year term from January 1\, 2024 through December 31\, 2027. She is a human rights lecturer at the Anton de Kom University of Suriname. Her focus\, as a legal expert\, included the Collective Rights of Indigenous and Tribal Peoples\, and Human Rights of Older Persons. Standing out in her human rights career are advising nationally on the Inter-American Human Rights System\, legislation and policy\, in addition to advocating for the rights of marginalized communities. In this sense\, she was a member of the Group of Experts advising the National Assemblée of the Republic of Suriname on the Bill on Collective Rights of Indigenous and Tribal Peoples; she served as the Secretary of the Bureau of the Agent of State to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights and the Inter-American Court of Human Rights; she has also been actively involved in the formulation of the Bill establishing the National Human Rights Institute as well as in the drafting of country reports for reporting to several UN Treaty Bodies. She is a citizen of Suriname. \nAttend in person or via Zoom. Zoom registration at https://myumi.ch/Dr32j
URL:https://oami.umich.edu/mlk-symposium-event/donia-human-rights-center-annual-mlk-lecture/
LOCATION:Michigan Union\, Room 2210 ABC (2nd Floor)\, 530 S State St\, Ann Arbor\, MI\, 48109\, United States
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://oami.umich.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Gloria-de-Mees.jpeg
ORGANIZER;CN="Donia Human Rights Center":MAILTO:umichhumanrights@umich.edu
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