The Black Graduate Student Association is partnering with the Graduate-Professional Student Congress to host a critical conversation series this semester.

The series, called The Living Room, is designed to create an intimate and open space for honest dialogue available specifically to graduate students. The first conversation in the series is scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 24, from 6-7:30 p.m. The topic for the first conversation, hosted by BGSA president Warrington Sebree, is "The Race Contract."

The GPSC Graduate Life committee and the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee are both partnering with BGSA for the events. Program leaders from both graduate student organizations hope to engage with graduate students from a wide variety of colleges and organizations on campus.

First, Sebree strongly emphasized that the event is not a lecture. While he hopes the discourse will provide participants with a myriad of learning opportunities, he finds the most value in opening the door for the graduate community to unite in a way that has never been done. This conversation is as informal as it gets to hopefully empower students to engage in serious and respectful conversation about a specific topic for each conversation in the series.

The purpose, Sebree said, "is to gain a better understanding of your colleagues with different world views even as we are apart." He said "agreeing to disagree" is welcomed and encouraged in the conversations.

Graduate students are encouraged to register for the Zoom meeting. "This series is to help graduate students come closer with classmates and change our campus culture with honest dialogue," said Sebree.

The Living Room series will continue through the fall semester with a schedule that includes three conversations. The second conversation, "International Students: From the Outside Looking In," will be hosted by BGSA and GPSC DEI member Jodi Simeon and Juan Marin Jr, GPSC graduate life representative. The third conversation will be hosted by BGSC vice president Neba Evans and Christin Mujica, GPSC DEI representative.

About BGSA: The Black Graduate Student Association is an organization that serves all members of the Razorback Black Graduate Student community. The primary goal of BGSA is to build a community among all incoming and continuing graduate students of African descent. While the primary demographic will be graduate students of African, Caribbean, or African American descent, this organization is open to other students of color as well as those not of color who are seeking opportunities to practice allyship and understanding. Through social and professional interaction we strive to promote diverse programs, facilitate intellectual engagement and create an environment in which everyone feels comfortable.

About GPSC: The Graduate Professional Student Congress advocates for the collective welfare of graduate and professional students at the University of Arkansas. The GPSC manages and distributes student activity fees paid by graduate and professional students, represents the common interests of these students, and speaks with one voice on behalf of its constituents. The GPSC seeks to improve the lives, careers, and research of all graduate-professional students at the University of Arkansas.