Pulitzer Prize-Winner Isabel Wilkerson Event Added to Best Friends Professional Development Symposium
Published: August 10, 2020 | Read Time: 4 minutes
Live presentation bonus post-symposium session with Isabel Wilkerson followed by Q&A moderated by James Evans
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 flash point in our collective history,” said Julie Castle, CEO, Best Friends Animal Society and 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. Register here Best Friends Website
Julie 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, open Best Friends Website to register. Registration closes on September 15 at 12pm MST.
About Best Friends Animal Society
Best Friends Animal Society is a leading national animal welfare organization dedicated to ending the killing of dogs and cats in America's shelters. In addition to running lifesaving programs in partnership with more than 3,100 animal welfare groups across the country, Best Friends has lifesaving centers in New York City, Los Angeles, Atlanta and Salt Lake City, and operates the nation's largest no-kill sanctuary for companion animals. Founded in 1984, Best Friends is a pioneer in the no-kill movement and has helped reduce the number of animals killed in shelters nationwide from an estimated 17 million per year to around 625,000. That means there are still more than 1,700 dogs and cats killed every day in shelters, just because they don’t have safe places to call home. We are determined to bring the country to no-kill by the year 2025. Working collaboratively with shelters, rescue groups, other organizations and you, we will end the killing and Save Them All. To check out our pet lifesaving dashboard and for more information, visit bestfriends.org.
About Southern Utah University
Located in the world’s best backyard, Southern Utah University is known as “University of the Parks” for its proximity to several outdoor recreational areas and its educational partnerships with the National Park Service. SUU’s Community and Professional Development program offers opportunities for working adults to advance in their careers and pursue educational goals by providing access to a number of in-person and online training, certificates, conferences and adult study abroad programs.
About Maddie's Fund
Maddie's Fund® is a family foundation created in 1994 by Workday® co-founder Dave Duffield and his wife, Cheryl, who have endowed the Foundation with more than $300 million. Since then, the Foundation has awarded more than $247.3 million in grants toward increased community lifesaving, shelter management leadership, shelter medicine education and foster care across the U.S. The Duffields named Maddie's Fund after their Miniature Schnauzer Maddie, who always made them laugh and gave them much joy. Maddie was with Dave and Cheryl for ten years and continues to inspire them today.
Maddie's Fund is the fulfillment of a promise to an inspirational dog, investing its resources to create a no-kill nation where every dog and cat is guaranteed a healthy home or habitat. #ThanksToMaddie.
In partnership with SUU and sponsored by Maddie’s Fund®
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Tags: Community and Professional Development