In this month’s special episode of Running to the Noise, host and president Carmen Twillie Ambar, the first Black chief executive in Oberlin’s nearly two-century history, talks with three other trailblazers about the challenges and the joys of being the first Black women to lead their long-standing institutions. Joining her are Joanne Berger-Sweeney of Trinity College, Lori White of DePauw University, and Danielle Holley of Mount Holyoke College.They are members of a small, proud group: Black women presidents make up 1.6 percent of the leadership of predominantly white four-year colleges and universities in this country. The inauguration of Claudine Gay, the first Black president of Harvard University in the institution's 388-year history, was a cause for celebration. Her resignation six months later, in January of this year, marked a painful end to a historic appointment. President Ambar and her guests explore the implications of Gay’s departure; why it's more important than ever to lean into diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts on campus; the many things to love about their groundbreaking roles; and how their tenures can serve as inspiration to future generations of young women of color.And they might even sing a little Aretha while they’re at it.Running to the Noise is a production of Oberlin College and Conservatory and is produced by University FM.Episode Links:Joanne Berger-Sweeney | Trinity CollegeDanielle Holley | Mount HolyokeLori White | DePauw University“Now Is the Time for Hard Decisions” by Shirley Collado and La Jerne Terry Cornish “The Cost of Leading While Black” by Sean Decatur 

Ver todos los episodios