Book Bans and Censorship

The Educational Foundations program in Grand Valley State University’s College of Education and Community Innovation will host its 6th annual Film and Speaker Series on October 4, 2023. This year’s focus is Book Bans and Censorship.

The expert panel includes Jonathan Friedman, Ph.D., Director, Free Expression and Education Programs for PEN America; Deborah Mikula, the Michigan Library Association Executive Director; and Karsonya Wise Whitehead, Ph.D., Executive Director for the Karson Institute for Race, Peace & Social Justice. The event will examine the increase of book banning in public schools and libraries locally and across the United States. The panel moderators are Anne Bélanger, Dean of GVSU Libraries; and Sophia Brewer, Associate Professor at GRCC.

Panelists will discuss the impact of book banning and censorship on society and especially upon traditionally marginalized communities. The audience will be encouraged to ask questions of the panelists and engage in a constructive and engaging discussion about this pressing issue.

The program will run from 6:00-7:30PM, followed by a reception in Loosemore Auditorium located on Grand Valley State University’s downtown Pew Campus, 122E DeVos Center, 401 Fulton St. W., Grand Rapids, MI, 49504.