Charleston School of Law

Second-annual Cultural Diversity Week scheduled for next week
Film screenings, panel discussions highlight week focused on diversity

CHARLESTON, S.C., March 14, 2007 -- Area residents can participate in nine events next week that are part of the Charleston School of Law's second annual Cultural Diversity Week.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Monday, March 19, 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. -- "Facing homelessness." Opening reception and a photography exhibit. The photography of Sarah Poe chronicles the daily experience of homeless men and women in the U.S. The Barrister Reception Area, 81 Mary St.

Tuesday, March 20, Noon to 1:30 p.m. -- Presentation by Ambassador Brady Anderson, former U.S. Ambassador to Tanzania, former Administrator of USAID. Anderson will discuss his work as head of USAID and as an ambassador. Rm. 332, BellSouth Building, 385 Meeting St.

Wednesday, March 21, Noon to 1 p.m. -- "Legal protections against domestic violence." A panel discussion will feature a prosecutor, law student and representative from the S.C. Equal Justice Centers. Rm. 332, BellSouth Building, 385 Meeting St.

Thursday, March 22, Noon to 1 p.m. -- "Disability and the law." A presentation by law student Leigh Davis. Rm. 332, BellSouth Building, 385 Meeting St.

Thursday, March 22, 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. -- Film screening. Presentation of "Nuestro Futuro," a documentary that highlights the lives and experiences of five Hispanics who immigrated to South Carolina. The director, Jorge Baez, a native of Mexico who moved to Beaufort in 1995 to attend school, will lead a discussion after the screening.
Rm. 101, 81 Mary St.

Friday, March 23, Noon to 1 p.m. -- "The Hispanic community in South Carolina." A panel discussion featuring Jaime Mascarin of Jabar Communications and Dr. Elaine Lacey of the USC Consortium for Latino Immigration Studies. Rm. 332, BellSouth Building, 385 Meeting St.

Friday, March 23, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. -- Film screening.
Presentation of "The Trials of Darryl Hunt", a documentary depicting the wrongful North Carolina conviction of Darryl Hunt for rape and murder and the 20-year fight to exonerate him. Dr. Larry Little, a member of Hunt's legal team, will lead a discussion after the screening. Rm. 101, 81 Mary St.

Saturday, March 24, 7:15 a.m. to 8:15 a.m. -- Race Judicata - 5K Run. This 5K run sponsored by SBA Community Service Committee will benefit the Lowcountry Housing Trust. NOTE: Race begins at Hampton Park.

Saturday, March 24, Noon to 4 p.m. -- Habitat for Humanity. You can help to build a Habitat for Humanity house near the school. Event is sponsored by the school's Real Estate Society. 36 H Street, downtown Charleston.

"Charleston's diversity always has been one of her greatest strengths," said Professor John L.S. Simpkins, who serves as the schools' director of diversity initiatives.

"Cultural Diversity Week provides us with an opportunity to better understand the breadth of Charleston's cultural heritage and to use that knowledge to further improve the quality of life for Charlestonians now and in the future."

A highlight of the week will be a Tuesday presentation by former U.S. Ambassador Brady Anderson, who now lives in Mount Pleasant, on his role in the Clinton administration as an ambassador to Tanzania and as the head of the U.S. Agency for International Development.

Also on tap for the week are screenings of two films, including one by a Beaufort man from Mexico whose documentary focuses on the lives of five Hispanic immigrants. There also are panel discussions, a photography exhibit and more.

The week's spotlight on cultural diversity ends March 24 with fellowship stemming from a new road race, Race Judicata, and a chance for anyone interested to help build a new home through the Habitat for Humanity program.

If you need any more information on the week's events, please contact Celeste Palmer, 843.329.1000 (ext. 2448).

For more information on the Charleston School of Law, its foundation, its mission and its application process, visit its Web site at www.charlestonlaw.org.