The next installment of the I Am Oz Diversity Speaker Series, featuring award-winning author, educator and producer Ilyasah Shabazz, will take place on Monday, April 18 at 7 p.m. in the Sheldon Hall ballroom. The talk was rescheduled from a previous date but now welcomes the campus community to hear her story.

Shabazz has authored five historical novels and has served as project advisor for the PBS award-winning "Prince Among Slaves" documentary. She is co-chairperson of the Malcolm X & Dr. Betty Shabazz Memorial and Educational Center. In her work to preserve the legacy of her parents, she has dedicated herself to institution building and intergenerational leadership development with the tenants of diversity, equity and inclusion.

Currently, she is an adjunct professor at John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York City, where she teaches "Perspectives on Justice in the Africana World."

Shabazz has furthered her community impact with the City University of New York’s Office of Academic Affairs, where she created curriculum to encourage higher education for underserved, inner-city high school dropouts.

She has worked with the Office of the Mayor in Mount Vernon, as director of public affairs and special events, where she founded and produced a young adult development program. The purpose of the program was to provide insight on social justice and encouraging personal empowerment.

As president and founder of Ilyasah Shabazz Enterprises, she produces a variety of forums dedicated to power, possibility and sovereignty.

Shabazz holds a master of science in education and human resource development from Fordham University and a bachelor of science in biology from SUNY New Paltz. 

The event is free and open to the public, with doors opening at 6:30 p.m.

The Department of Campus Life sponsors the I Am Oz Diversity Speaker Series. 

Persons with disabilities needing accommodations to attend this event should contact the SUNY Oswego Office of Campus Life at 315-312-2301 or campuslife@oswego.edu.