Campus Community, Friends and Neighbors:

As Roger Williams University looks toward a spring semester packed with events, we invite you to join us in welcoming our first two President's Distinguished Speakers Series guests — journalist and filmmaker David A. Wilson, a leading voice on race in America; and preeminent scholar, attorney and activist Lawrence Lessig of Harvard University.

Both events are free and open to the public with no tickets or reservations required. Any questions can be directed to (401) 254-3166.

David A. Wilson
"How to Talk About Race Without Starting a Riot"
Tuesday, February 17
6:00 pm
Feinstein College of Arts & Sciences, Room 157

Drawing on history, current events and his own personal experience, journalist and documentary filmmaker David A. Wilson has emerged as a leading voice in encouraging an open dialogue and national conversation on race relations in America.

In Wilson's second visit to Roger Williams University, his groundbreaking film — "Meeting David Wilson" — will be screened in its entirety, and a Q&A session with the acclaimed filmmaker will follow.

The event is part of a yearlong series at RWU titled 150 Years Later: The 13th Amendment & Race in America, which calls upon us to both celebrate the monumental legislation to abolish slavery, but also to reflect critically on the current state of race relations in the U.S.

Lawrence Lessig
"Equal Citizens"
Monday, February 23
7:30 pm
School of Law, Room 283

Author, attorney and activist Lawrence Lessig is the Roy L. Furman Professor of Law and Leadership at Harvard Law School, and director of the Edmond J. Safra Center for Ethics at Harvard University. He is an expert on intellectual property and Internet policy, and a watchdog on government corruption. He's also an acclaimed free thinker and visionary, and one of the more captivating voices in America today.

Professor Lessig will explore how political campaign funding has fundamentally distorted the commitment to equality instilled by our framers more than two centuries ago. A book signing will immediately follow.