MICHELE NORRIS VISITS HER ALMA MATER

ON APRIL 3, JOURNALIST AND AUTHOR

MICHELE NORRIS (B.A. ’85) visited the University of Minnesota campus for two special events. Partnered with In Black Ink, a local, nonprofit arts initiative, the Hubbard School first hosted Norris at an afternoon conversation with community members and students. Norris talked about her family, her profession and her path in life. “My journey is to capture the voices of people who are not part of the history books,” she said. “I’m an accidental archivist.” She talked about her well-known project, The Race Card Project, and how she’s collected more than 500,000 stories in 12 years. (Watch for her new book in January.)

That evening, Norris spoke to a crowd at Coffman Theater about the history of the Black press, from newspapers like the Chicago Defender to BET on cable. “If you want to understand American history, you have to understand Black history,” she said. “I think the most valuable thing I do is create spaces for people to share stories.”

GOODBYE, JEAN!

JEAN KUCERA, LONG-TIME HUBBARD SCHOOL CHIEF OF STAFF, retired in August. Kucera worked at the University for more than 30 years, 18 years in the College of Liberal Arts, with more than 11 of those as an administrator for the School. (She’s also an alum!) Kucera encouraged and inspired many faculty and staff members, as well as students, during her time in her role. Everyone at the School congratulates her and wishes her the best on her next adventure!