TALKS

This is an enjoyable part of my research, teaching, and writing. Research is enjoyable in many ways - gaining new knowledge, discovering new things, and meeting people such as the men and women that I encounter in field work locations in African villages and towns. Writing is my passion; I get so immersed in it that other things tend to take the back row.  I enjoy the classroom experience of learning and sharing of knowledge, and I earn my living from it. I like experiences that bring together my research, writing, and teaching. When I am invited to speak at an event, I draw from these three. When I speak, I share my knowledge and also encourage the audience to participate by making comments and asking me questions. In this way, we expand the knowledge beyond one person's knowledge and perspective. Of course, a lot depends on the audience. When I am with an audience that prefer to listen, I talk more, but there are audiences that make me act like a facilitator of knowledge sharing experience. I speak on diverse subjects that have included issues of women, Africa, literature, culture, race, diversity, and education.

 Women and Literature -

“What is Global? What is Vernacular? English Education in African and African Diaspora Women’s Writing.” Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, April 27, 2007. 

Women - "The Discrepancy of Black Women and Body Image," by Chinyere G. Okafor for African American Students' Association,
               Wichita State University, Wichita, KS. march 30, 2010.

“Transgressions: Stories of an African Woman In America,” Story read at the Southern California Writers’ conference. Oxnard, Oct.  2003.

 “If I Narrate What they Are Doing To Me: How national and global political economic policies play out in the lives of African women and children.” Keynote Speech at International Women’s Day Banquet, University of Maine, Farmington. March 8, 2002.

 “An African Woman in A Women’s Studies Class.” Story read at Maine Women’s Consortium Retreat, May 24, 2002.

“Culture, Health, and Woman’s Image – The Lizard Story,” Guest Speaker at the Annual Charitable Event by Nigerian Women Association. Olive Tree Banquet Hall. Wichita. May 15, 2004.

“Dances with Hip Hop: Debate about female identity.” Panel Discussaion, Ulrich Museum,  Wichita State University, February 29, 2004.

 “Ritual Authority, Communication, and Empowerment of Women in African Masking.” Museum of African Tribal Arts, Portland, ME. April 18, 2002.

Africa: and Literature -

Introduction of the Convocation Scholar, Nobel Prize Laureate, Wole Soyinka, at his talk and opening of the University of Maine Convocation. September 25, 2001.

“Wole Soyinka: The Energy Behind Influences” Featured Speech at the Symposium on Soyinka: the Man, the Playwright, the Novelist, the Activist University of Kansas, Lawrence, February 10, 2007.

“Global Perspective, African Views: Perceptions of Africa in the West. “ Keynote speech, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, October 21, 2006.  

“Nigeria: Introduction,” Cultural Event organized by the Nigerian Association of Wichita, October 10, 2009.

“Stories of Family Togetherness.” Rolfe Family Reunion, Olive Tree Banquet Hall, Wichita KS, August 5, 2006.

“Multi-Nation, Multi-culture, and One Country – Nigeria.”  The East Wichita Shepherd Center: Adventures in Learning.  Feb 24, 2004

“Making Known War’s Invisible Victims: The Case of Biafra/Nigeria.” March 7, 2003.

 “Heroes from the Margins: Stories of Athletes who challenged Racism at the 1936 Berlin Olympics.” Kansas Sports Hall of Fame, Wichita KS, 2008. (poem for the presentation - ) March 10, 2008.

Mask - “Introducing African mask performances,” by Chinyere G. Okafor at Safira's Center for World Dance, Wichita, KS, June 5  2009.

“Nigeria: Past, Present & Future.” Global Learning Center, Wichita, KS. May 16. 2010.

Panel Discussant. “Christmas and New Year in Nigeria.” Global Learning Center, Wichita, KS, December 19, 2010.

Education -

Good Student - "Racial Profiling of a Good Student," Panel Discussion by Professors Rhonda Lewis-Moss, Marche Fleming-Randle, and Chinyere G. Okafor,               Wichita State University, Wichita KS, April 7, 2010.

“International and Cross-Cultural Dialogue Across the Atlantic” and facilitation of a conversation between students of “Women In Africa” class (WSU) and Dr. Chioma Opara and her students in Portharcourt (Nigeria).  Wichita State University, Wichita KS: November 12, 2004.

 “The Role of Higher Education in Globalization: A Cooperative Knowledge or  Resistance?” Panel Discussion, University of Southern Maine. Portland, April 24, 2002.

“New Ambassadors of WSU.” Graduation Celebration, Wichita State University, May 11, 2006.

“Making the Poet Making Poetry: The Process of Poetic Writing.” The Kansas Writers Association (KWA), June 21, 2008.

Co-Facilitated the Riverton Branch community conversation on the subject of Sept. 11. Organized by Maine Humanities Council. October 11, 2001.

 

For conference talks and presentations, see conferences at:  http://www.chiwrite.com/conferences.html

For Talks centered on Poetry Reading, see Poetry Reading & Theater at: http://www.chiwrite.com/poetry-reading.html

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