"Who Do You Think You Are?" - Thearse McCalmon
HVCC welcomes Thearse McCalmon to campus as part of its Voices: A Library Lecture Series and in recognition of National Native American Heritage Month.
In this powerful and thought-provoking presentation, Thearse McCalmon will explore the intersections of language, culture, identity, stereotypes, and myths as they relate to Indigenous peoples of the Americas. Through the use of modern pop culture and other familiar reference points, Thearse will challenge socially constructed narratives that perpetuate misconceptions about Native American people.
Her goal is to bring awareness to the audience's own implicit biases and stereotypes, encouraging a deeper, more thoughtful approach to race, ethnicity and identity. Rather than defaulting to labels, she urges us all to instead ask the simple yet profound question: “Who are you?”
Thearse McCalmon currently holds multiple degrees in the fields of Human Services, Teacher Education/Early Childhood Education, History education. Her multifaceted career spans education, advocacy, cultural preservation, and community empowerment. Thearse’s advocacy focuses on advancing education and equity for Latino, Guyanese, Black American, African American, and Native American communities. She has collaborated with various Indigenous nations including the Abenaki, Haudenosaunee, and St. Regis Mohawk peoples.
While serving as Director of Programs at the Underground Railroad History Project of the Capital Region (now UREC), Thearse partnered with Dr. Maya Soetoro-Ng, peace and conflict resolution specialist at the University of Hawaii and sister to President Barack Obama. She also worked alongside Dr. Steven Leibo, a New York-based climate crisis expert affiliated with former Vice President Al Gore’s climate initiatives and a well-known international political analyst.
Thearse currently serves as a Training Specialist with New York State. Having personally faced homelessness and navigated systemic oppression, she brings lived experience to her advocacy work and remains a tireless champion for marginalized communities.
This free, public event is co-sponsored by the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and Student Activities.
The views and opinions expressed by Voices’ presenters belong solely to the presenters, and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the Voices’ Committee or the college. This presentation will also be livestreamed for those not able to attend in-person.