Join Us for Arrupe International Immersions' BLM Event

The goal of Black Lives Matter, A Global Perspective is to hear from people in different parts of the world about how BLM has inspired solidarity for racial justice within their local context. Panelists will be from the Dominican Republic, the UK, South Africa, and Australia.  Join us tonight at 7 PM and hear from the panelists below!

Gerald Hankerson, United States  

Bio: Gerald Hankerson leads community outreach and civic engagement efforts at the Council on American-Islamic Relations in Chicago, IL. As a member of the African American Leadership Advisory Council at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC), Gerald advocates for improving experiences and sustaining achievements for students, faculty and administration of African and African American descent.  

Patrick Hutchinson, UK

Bio: Patrick Hutchinson is a personal trainer and public figure based in London. He is co-founder of the youth movement, United to Change and Inspire and author of the soon to be released book Everybody Versus Racism. Patrick rose to international fame when he helped save a BLM protest get hijacked from negative press by intervening on behalf of a far-right counter- protester who was hurling hateful comments and violence towards BLM protesters.   

Ana Belique, Dominican Republic (Luis Melgar will be translating) 

Bio: Ana is a Sociologist and anti-racist social activist. She is a founding member of the "recognized movement", a group of young people who fight against racial discrimination in the Dominican Republic. Together with a collective, she led the action in solidarity with the global anti-racist movement due to the death of George Floyd, for which she was arrested on June 9, 2020.  

Ramesh Richards SJ, Australia 

Bio: Ramesh Richards is a Jesuit Deacon from the Australian province of the Society of Jesus and a graduate of the Boston College School of Theology and Ministry. He is rector of the Cardoner project in Sydney, Australia that seeks to improve social inclusion and economic outcomes for disadvantaged and poor communities.

Albertina Shifotoka, South Africa 

Bio: Albertina is the site director for the Southern Africa Center for Global education and experience with Augsburg University. She teaches “Racism and Resistance in Southern Africa and the United States- struggles against colonialalisms, apartheid, and segregation.”