About Lewis Walker Institute
Mission
As a part of Academic Affairs, our mission is to engage in teaching, research, and service to:
- Promote community amongst scholars and students working on race and ethnicity
- Enhance transdisciplinary research focused on race, social justice and equity
- Advance programming and public knowledge on intersecting forms of discrimination
- Cultivate dynamic youth programming in partnerships with schools and communities
- Evaluate equity based programs for effectiveness and cultural efficacy
History
Founded in 1989 as the Institute for the Study of Race and Ethnic Relations, the Institute was renamed in 2000 in honor of Dr. Lewis Walker, Western Michigan University’s first African American Ph.D. faculty member. Dr. Walker devoted his career to teaching and research about race and ethnic relations and worked for social justice through many applied research and community service projects. The Walker Institute continues this work in service to the University and community.
Building Our Legacy
We Are Legacy Builders...
Guided by our P.E.A.C.E acronym, the LWI staff view ourselves as legacy builders strategically curating bricks of opportunity and innovation that lay the foundation for the next iteration of socially just scholarship and praxis… So the question remains…what will we build NEXT?
LWI plans to continue amplifying the presence and relevance of the institute by maintaining previously established programs such as the MLK Teach-In in conjunction with ODI and the Dept of Athletics, The WIRE program and the Youth Juvenile Justice Fellows. While nurturing new projects, funding streams, and research fellowship opportunities that deepen the institute's reach and impact across the greater KZoo, WMU communities and beyond.
Leaning on the lessons of previous civil rights and humanitarian movements, we know that social change mobilization cannot be executed in isolated silos, therefore it will require a team of trusted and courageous agitators to begin to address these issues. So… Who Got Next? Will YOU be the next integral brick that supports the on-going legacy of LWI? If the answer is yes, then please consider getting involved with LWI in one or more of the following ways:
- Attend Monthly Events (Bi-Weekly Wednesdays 10:00-12:00)
- Co-Plan a Project or Program with LWI
- Attend our monthly programs and teach-ins
- Enroll in LWI’s Minor in Race & Ethnic Relations (consider adding your course to our minor)
- Become an LWI Faculty Thought Leader-
- Become an LWI Student Advisor Board Member
- Volunteer in our office or for upcoming events
- Share your upcoming events via our newsletter
- Set up a meeting with Director- bianca.nightengale-lee@wmich.edu
