Pulitzer Prize-Winner Isabel Wilkerson Event
Added to Best Friends Professional Development Symposium
Kanab, UT – Best Friends Animal Society, a leading national animal welfare organization dedicated to ending the killing of dogs and cats in America’s shelters, and Southern Utah University (SUU), are excited to add a live presentation and discussion of Isabel Wilkerson’s New York Times bestselling book, The Warmth of Other Suns considered the #1 book on African American history, as well as her latest book Caste, a recent Oprah Book Club selection.
“I am honored that we will be able to have a live discussion with Ms. Wilkerson at this flashpoint in our collective history,” said Julie Castle, CEO, Best Friends Animal Society, and an SUU alumna. “We know animal welfare is at a turning point with an opportunity for more diversity and inclusion and who better to have that discussion with than an internationally recognized authority on Black history.”
The Q & A session following Wilkerson’s online event will be moderated by James Evans, CEO of Companions and Animals for Reform and Equity (CARE). Evans is a multi-awarding winning creative strategist and leader with 25-plus years of experience developing relationships between organizations and their constituents. CARE’s mission is to address organizational and personal biases within Animal Welfare.
The Best Friends Professional Development Symposium: Reaching New Heights in Contemporary Animal Services is a new dynamic online symposium for animal services professionals and students devoted to lifesaving innovation and revolutionary change for pets and people. It will be held Wednesday, Sept. 16 and Thursday, Sept 17. To register click, visit suu.edu/prodev.
Castle reiterated that the symposium is an example of adapting not only in these extraordinary times created by the COVID-19 pandemic, but also to propel the animal welfare profession forward towards the goal of ending the killing of shelter pets by 2025.
“Our partnership with Best Friends Animal Society has facilitated two important animal services certificate programs as well as a Contemporary Animal Services Leadership emphasis of study
block in the Interdisciplinary Studies master’s program, and now this one of a kind event,” said Melynda Thorpe, Southern Utah University Community and Professional Development executive director. “This symposium is thoughtfully designed, and we’re thrilled to include Isabel Wilkerson in our Reading Up Discourse platform in October for all symposium participants to attend.”
For more information on all partnership offerings, see bestfriends.org/suu.
To learn more about the Best Friends Professional Development Symposium and for the opportunity to have a “seat at the table” with Isabel Wilkerson in October, visit suu.edu/prodev. Registration closes on September 15 at 12 PM MST.
