About this Event
Join Western Michigan University for a special screening of Mississippi Turning, followed by a live Q&A with filmmaker, poet, and activist Genesis Be — Global Ambassador for Moral Courage College.
Mississippi Turning follows Genesis Be's journey confronting racism and injustice in her home state, using film, spoken word, and direct action to spark honest conversation about race in America. The screening offers a raw, personal look at what it takes to challenge inherited narratives and speak up — even when it's uncomfortable, even when it costs something.
Following the film, Genesis Be will lead a discussion on filmmaking as activism, the realities of addressing racial issues head-on, and — critically — how to do that work without shutting down the people who disagree with you. Drawing on the Moral Courage framework, she'll share practical tools for turning heated, high-stakes conversations into genuine dialogue: how to stay rooted in your values, listen across deep difference, and build unity without demanding uniformity.
This event connects directly to Moral Courage College's mission of equipping people with the skills to act on their values even when it's unpopular, risky, or hard — skills increasingly essential in an era of polarization, anxiety, and disconnection. It also builds on WMU's recent Moral Courage "Game Changer" mentor training with Irshad Manji, extending that work to a broader campus audience.
Whether you're a student, educator, or community member, this is a chance to engage with an artist who treats activism not as a slogan but as a practice — one rooted in courage, craft, and the willingness to stay in the room with people who see things differently.
Location:
Western Michigan University
Brown Hall - Room 1025
Schedule:
4pm - doors open
4:30pm - welcome
4:40pm - documentary screening (30 minutes)
5:15pm - Q&A
6pm - event concludes
Event venue & nearby stays
Western Michigan University - Brown Hall, 1230 Arcadia Loop, Kalamazoo, United States
Concerts, fests, parties, meetups — all the happenings, one place.