A forum on women’s empowerment created a powerful and memorable night for the students of North Carolina A&T State University on Tuesday.
Gabrielle Union, Angela Rye, and Lisa Ling made their long-awaited appearance inside of the Harrison Auditorium on the campus of North Carolina A&T University. These three prominent women took part in a forum moderated by Danya Bacchus on topics regarding Women’s empowerment and women’s rights.
The atmosphere was electric as the students arrived into the Harrison Auditorium as the sound of the Beyoncé’s hit song “Who Runs the World” blaring from the speakers inside. Once the event started the forum participants began to speak on Women’s empowerment and its positive effect on the world.
One of the topics that were discussed was double standards that exist towards women.
“I think the double standard exists because men are still running things, for the most part.” Said Ling, the Host of the CNN show “This Is Life with Lisa Ling.”
Another issue that was brought up during the panel discussion was the issue of sexual assault. Gabrielle Union was adamant with her beliefs about sexual assault assailant motives.
“Rape is about control and violence, period.” Said the actress during her passionate rant about sexual assault.
Angela Rye would then go on to talk about many issues regarding not only women but black women specifically.
“When you say black lives matter, black pay matters too.” Said Rye, the CEO of IMPACT Strategies when discussing unequal pay in the workplace.
There were numerous other topics and issues that were brought up by the moderator, Danya Bacchus. The panel also accepted questions from select students that were in attendance.
After the forum, Rye, Union, Ling, and Bacchus allowed select students to take meet and take photos with them while the crowd in attendance was leaving the auditorium.
Gabrielle Union is one of the most powerful celebrities in Hollywood. Union is known for her work as an actress. Her most notable role is as Mary Jane Porter on the hit ABC and BET television series Being Mary Jane. Gabrielle Union is also the wife of NBA player, Dwyane Wade. Union is also well-known for her sexual assault survivors and women’s rights advocacy. She is also an ambassador for the Susan B. Komen Foundation and a spokeswoman for the Planned Parenthood breast’s health initiative.
Angela Rye has also been making a name for herself with her witty and outspoken political commentary with news outlets such as CNN, TV One, and NPR radio among others. Along with her political commentary, she is also well-known for the work that she has done with her company IMPACT Strategies. She created this program to ensure the development of young black professionals in the areas of economic empowerment, civil liberties, and political involvement.
Lisa Ling is a well-known figure in the journalism world with the accolades to back it up. In 1999, Ling joined ABC’s The View where she was a host until 2002. After leaving The View, Ling would become an international reporter and correspondent for National Geographic, The Oprah Winfrey Show, and CNN. Lisa Ling is currently the host of the CNN show, This is Your Life with Lisa Ling.
NC A&T alumnus and current ABC News freelance correspondent Danya Bacchus will be moderating this panel of esteemed women. Bacchus started her career as a Production Assistant for WXLV, the ABC affiliate in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Bacchus would go on to become a reporter and anchor for NBC in San Diego, California among other things.
This event could be considered a success, however, there are still students who are upset at the limited access that was available for this event. With this only being the second “Chancellor’s Town Hall Forum” there is hope from students that the next time this event takes place there will be more available access for all students who wish to attend.
The Chancellor’s Town Hall was started by NC A&T’s Chancellor, Harold L. Martin Sr. This program was created to bring influential and well-known figures to NC A&T to speak to students about many different issues that affect the community within Greensboro and throughout the World.
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