Aggie Conversations: Forum To Talk Openly About Race

A Texas A&M former student is organizing a series of weekly online panel discussions for Aggies, with the goal of increasing understanding. 

Ken Robinson ’93 of Grand Prairie, Texas, conceived the event, and he or Rodney Pennywell ’86 will serve as host for each event. Robinson said the discussions are primarily intended for non-black Aggies who are "seeking to understand the Black Experience in America and Texas A&M."

Register in advance for the Lunch Edition:
https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJAqcOihqDspG9Et7-11OKM3dxfo4Bb318vL

Register in advance for the Dinner Edition:
https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJMufuioqDoqGN1JFC-aSWcq5VvY2I5KWezQ

Each episode of Aggie Conversations is recorded, and the recordings are made available for on-demand viewing:

• Aggie Conversation of May 11, 2021, Lunch Edition featured Iman Ahmed ’22 and Chibuike “Chibby” Imo ’20 with “Reflections on my Experience at Texas A&M.”
• Aggie Conversation of May 11, 2021, Dinner Edition featured Iman Ahmed ’22 and Chibuike “Chibby” Imo ’20 with “Reflections on my Experience at Texas A&M.”.
• Aggie Conversation of May 4, 2021, Lunch Edition featured Dr. Charles McPherson ’92 on "COVID-19: Where Are We Now?"
• Aggie Conversation of May 4, 2021, Dinner Edition featured Dr. Charles McPherson ’92 on "COVID-19: Where Are We Now?"
• Aggie Conversation of April 27, 2021, Lunch Edition featured attorney and talk show host Nyanza L. Moore ’94 on "America and Race Relations: An Update."
• Aggie Conversation of April 27, 2021, Dinner Edition featured attorney and talk show host Nyanza L. Moore ’94 on "America and Race Relations: An Update."
• Aggie Conversation of April 20, 2021, Lunch Edition featured Dr. Johnson Obamehinti and Dr. Feyi Obamehinti ’14 of Oasis Focus.
• Aggie Conversation of April 20, 2021, Dinner Edition featured Dr. Johnson Obamehinti and Dr. Feyi Obamehinti ’14 of Oasis Focus.
• Aggie Conversation of April 13, 2021, Lunch Edition featured Tyson Voelkel ’96, president and CEO of the Texas A&M Foundation.
• Aggie Conversation of April 13, 2021, Dinner Edition featured Tyson Voelkel ’96, president and CEO of the Texas A&M Foundation.
• Aggie Conversation of April 6, 2021, Lunch Edition featured Lorraine Birabil '19, executive director of the Barbara Jordan Leadership Institute, with Jane Hamilton and Matt Angle. 
• Aggie Conversation of April 6, 2021, Dinner Edition featured Lorraine Birabil '19, executive director of the Barbara Jordan Leadership Institute, with Jane Hamilton and Matt Angle.
• Aggie Conversation of March 30, 2021, Lunch Edition featured Dr. Gena L. Jerkins '95, Erick C. Jones '92, Sarah Jackson '11, Dell McKinney '94 and Brian Williams '93.
• Aggie Conversation of March 30, 2021, Dinner Edition features Dr. Gena L. Jerkins '95, Erick C. Jones '92, Sarah Jackson '11, Dell McKinney '94 and Brian Williams '93.
• Aggie Conversation of March 23, 2021, Lunch Edition featured Ferleshare Starks '95, Albert Cooksey '96 and Rick Porter '92.
• Aggie Conversation of March 23, 2021, Dinner Edition featured Ferleshare Starks '95, Albert Cooksey '96 and Rick Porter '92.
• Aggie Conversation of March 16, 2021, Lunch Edition featured Monica Roberts ’03, Alicia Haskin ’94 and Shachella James ’92.
• Aggie Conversation of March 16, 2021, Dinner Edition featured Monica Roberts ’03.
• Aggie Conversation of March 9, 2021, Lunch Edition featured Texas A&M administrators Dr. Annie S. McGowan (interim VP and associate provost for diversity) and Dr. Jennifer M. Reyes ’10 (assistant VP for diversity) discussing "New Leadership & the Office of Diversity."
• Aggie Conversation of March 9, 2021, Dinner Edition featured Texas A&M administrators Dr. Annie S. McGowan (interim VP and associate provost for diversity) and Dr. Jennifer M. Reyes ’10 (assistant VP for diversity) discussing "New Leadership & the Office of Diversity."
• Aggie Conversation of March 2, 2021, Lunch Edition featured Derrick Elder ’82 discussing Texas pandemic recovery and vaccinations.
• Aggie Conversation of March 2, 2021, Dinner Edition featured Derrick Elder ’82 discussing Texas pandemic recovery and vaccinations.
• Aggie Conversation of Feb. 23, 2021, Lunch Edition featured Ken Robinson ’93 and Rodney Pennywell ’86 discussing the impacts and aftermath of the recent Texas winter storm.
• Aggie Conversation of Feb. 23, 2021, Dinner Edition featured Ken Robinson ’93 and Rodney Pennywell ’86 discussing the impacts and aftermath of the recent Texas winter storm.
• Aggie Conversations for Feb. 16, 2021, were canceled due to the weather emergency in Texas.
• Aggie Conversation of Feb. 9, 2021, Lunch Edition featured a group of current A&M students discussing their recruitment and admissions experiences.
• Aggie Conversation of Feb. 9, 2021, Dinner Edition featured a group of current A&M students discussing their recruitment and admissions experiences.
• Aggie Conversation of Feb. 2, 2021, Lunch Edition featured Charles Henderson ’90, Quentyn Seamster ’96 and Demetria Hall ’93.
• Aggie Conversation of Feb. 2, 2021, Dinner Edition featured Charles Henderson ’90, Quentyn Seamster ’96 and Demetria Hall ’93.
• A special edition of Aggie Conversation of Jan. 27, 2021, (Lunch Edition only) featured interim TAMU President Dr. John Junkins discussing the report of the Commission on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.
• Aggie Conversation of Jan. 26, 2021, Lunch Edition featured Shawn Ball ’93, Mitzi Wallace-Willis ’92 and Don Scott ’87.
• Aggie Conversation of Jan. 26, 2021, Dinner Edition featured Shawn Ball ’93, Aaron Ford ’94, Mitzi Wallace-Willis ’92 and Don Scott ’87.
• Aggie Conversation of Jan. 19, 2021, Lunch Edition featured Andrie Leday III ’98, Raisha Smith ’13 and David Washington IV ’96.
• Aggie Conversation of Jan. 19, 2021, Dinner Edition features Andrie Leday III ’98, Raisha Smith ’13 and David Washington IV ’96.
• Aggie Conversation of Jan. 12, 2021, Lunch Edition featured Dr. Vernell Johnson ’92 and Dr. Howard Anderson II ’92.
• Aggie Conversation of Jan. 12, 2021, Dinner Edition featured Dr. Howard Anderson II ’92, Dr. Charles McPherson ’92, Dr. David Butler ’94 and Dr. Roderick Diggs ’93.
• Aggie Conversation of Dec. 15, 2020, Lunch Edition featured reflections on key moments from the past more than 70 guest speakers, and previews plans for 2021.
• Aggie Conversation of Dec. 15, 2020, Dinner Edition featured reflections on key moments from the past more than 70 guest speakers, and previews plans for 2021.
• Aggie Conversation of Dec. 8, 2020, Lunch Edition featured Christine Stanley ’90, Dave Louis ’04, Christal-Joy Turner ’14 and Evan Gentry ’00.
• Aggie Conversation of Dec. 8, 2020, Dinner Edition featured Christine Stanley ’90, Dave Louis ’04, Christal-Joy Turner ’14 and Evan Gentry ’00.
• Aggie Conversation of Dec. 1, 2020, Lunch Edition featured Judge Nora Polk ’94 and Sonia Ellis-Taylor ’79. Runtime: 1:58:56
• Aggie Conversation of Dec. 1, 2020, Dinner Edition featured Judge Nora Polk ’94 and Sonia Ellis-Taylor ’79. Runtime: 1:53:51
• Aggie Conversation of Nov. 24, 2020, Lunch Edition featured Rachel Andress Davis ’95, Celeste Myres ’07 and Natasha Eubanks ’04. Runtime: 1:20:57
• Aggie Conversation of Nov. 24, 2020, Dinner Edition featured Rachel Andress Davis ’95, Celeste Myres ’07 and Natasha Eubanks ’04. Runtime: 1:49:28
• Aggie Conversation of Nov. 17, 2020, Lunch Edition featured Jimmy Williams ’83 and John Hurtado ’91. Runtime: 1:38:53
• Aggie Conversation of Nov. 17, 2020, Dinner Edition featured Jimmy Williams ’83 and John Hurtado ’91. Runtime: 1:46:03
• Aggie Conversation of Nov. 10, 2020, Lunch Edition featured Narietha Carter ’04 and Theressa Cooper ’01. Runtime: 1:22:39
• Aggie Conversation of Nov. 10, 2020, Dinner Edition featured Narietha Carter ’04 and Theressa Cooper ’01. Runtime: 2:03:29
• Aggie Conversations was not held on Nov. 3 due to Election Day.
• Aggie Conversation of Oct. 27, 2020, Lunch Edition featured Angela Chapman ’93, Steve L. Yancy, Jr. ’01, and Ed Haskin ’88. Runtime: 1:49:19
• Aggie Conversation of Oct. 27, 2020, Dinner Edition featured Angela Chapman ’93, Steve L. Yancy, Jr. ’01, Ed Haskin ’88 and Sadiyah Karriem ’97. Runtime: 2:01:14
• Aggie Conversation of Oct. 20, 2020, Lunch Edition featured Henry Musoma ’98, Mayphous Collins ’94, and Corey Anthony ’94. Runtime: 1:57:26
• Aggie Conversation of Oct. 20, 2020, Dinner Edition featured Henry Musoma ’98, Mayphous Collins ’94, and Corey Anthony ’94. 2:03:28
• Aggie Conversation of Oct. 13, 2020, Lunch Edition featured Eric Henderson ’90, Chidi Blyden-Rowe ’02, and Dr. Genyne L Royal ’15. Runtime: 1:27:40
• Aggie Conversation of Oct. 13, 2020, Dinner Edition featured Eric Henderson ’90, Chidi Blyden-Rowe ’02, and Dr. Genyne L Royal ’15. Runtime: 2:01:19
• Aggie Conversation of Oct. 6, 2020, Lunch Edition featured Alana M. Hill ’94, the Rev. Steve Miller ’92 and Lyndon Pryor ’04. Runtime: 1:43:10
• Aggie Conversation of Oct. 6, 2020, Dinner Edition featured Alana M. Hill ’94, the Rev. Steve Miller ’92 and Lyndon Pryor ’04. Runtime: 2:03:00
• Aggie Conversation of Sept. 29, 2020, Lunch Edition featured Shantera Chatman ’98, Kellie Butler ’95 and Natasha Eubanks ’04. Runtime: 1:59:05 
• Aggie Conversation of Sept. 29, 2020, Dinner Edition featured a live stream of the first U.S. Presidential Debate, with the chat line open for running conversation among the Aggie Conversations participants. No recording.
• Aggie Conversation of Sept. 22, 2020, Lunch Edition featured Kevin Johnson ’88, Ray Person, Jr. ’10, and Traci A. Gibson ’14. Runtime: 1:55:34
• Aggie Conversation of Sept. 22, 2020, Dinner Edition featured Kevin Johnson ’88, Ray Person, Jr. ’10, and Traci A. Gibson ’14. Runtime: 2:02:17
• Aggie Conversations were not held the week Sept. 15, 2020.
• Aggie Conversation of Sept. 8, 2020, Lunch Edition featured Dr. Dana Wells ’93, Dr. David K. Butler ’94, and Phillip Polk ’92. Runtime: 2:01:22
• Aggie Conversation of Sept. 8, 2020, Dinner Edition featured Dr. Dana Wells ’93, Dr. Charles McPherson ’92, and Phillip Polk ’92. Runtime: 2:02:17
• Aggie Conversation of Sept. 1, 2020, Lunch Edition featured Chibuike "Chibby" Imo ’20, Dr. Felicia Scott ’87, Maco Faniel ’02 and Llewellyn Derry ’88. Runtime: 1:31:56
• Aggie Conversation of Sept. 1, 2020, Dinner Edition featured Chibuike "Chibby" Imo ’20, Dr. Felicia Scott ’87, Maco Faniel ’02 and Llewellyn Derry ’88. Runtime: 2:04:19
• Aggie Conversation of Aug. 25, 2020, Lunch Edition featured Kasandra Phillips ’92, Eric Watson ’99, and Danielle Harris ’00. Runtime: 1:50:41
• Aggie Conversation of Aug. 25, 2020, Dinner Edition featured Kasandra Phillips ’92, Eric Watson ’99, and Danielle Harris ’00. Runtime: 2:11:58 
• Aggie Conversation of Aug. 18, 2020, Lunch Edition featured Col. Kenneth Allison ’85, Robin Means Coleman, Adrian Cornelius ’93, and Jeffrey Miller ’98, PhD. Runtime: 2:06:33
• Aggie Conversation of Aug. 18, 2020, Dinner Edition featured Col. Kenneth Allison ’85, Robin Means Coleman, Adrian Cornelius ’93, and Jeffrey Miller ’98, PhD. Runtime: 2:02:28
• Aggie Conversation of Aug. 11, 2020, Lunch Edition featured Kevin Carruthers, Dr. Eli Jones ’82, and Wanda Watson ’96. Runtime: 2:04:35
• Aggie Conversation of Aug. 11, 2020, Dinner Edition featured Kevin Carruthers, Dr. Eli Jones ’82, and Wanda Watson ’96. Runtime: 2:01:29
• Aggie Conversation of Aug. 4, 2020, Lunch Edition featured Paula McCann-Harris ’87, Mark Boudreaux ’91 and Kafi Carter-Slaughter ’94. Runtime: 2:03:06
• Aggie Conversation of Aug. 4, 2020, Dinner Edition featured Paula McCann-Harris ’87, Mark Boudreaux ’91 and Kafi Carter-Slaughter ’94. Runtime: 2:00:35
• Aggie Conversation of July 28, 2020, Lunch Edition featured Shanedria Wagner ’92, Donavan Wheatfall ’96 and Travonte Bodwin '13. Runtime: 2:01:01
• Aggie Conversation of July 28, 2020, Dinner Edition featured Shanedria Wagner ’92, Donavan Wheatfall ’96 and Travonte Bodwin '13. Runtime: 2:04:57
• Aggie Conversation of July 21, 2020, Lunch Edition featuring Paul K. Stafford ’90, Erica Rouse ’95 and Dimitri Caver ’90. Runtime: 2:01:50.
• Aggie Conversation of July 21, 2020, Dinner Edition featuring Paul K. Stafford ’90, Erica Rouse ’95 and Dimitri Caver ’90. Runtime: 2:07:15.
• Aggie Conversation of July 14, 2020, Lunch Edition featuring Rodney Pennywell ’86, Shaquille Gould ‘15, Nyanza Davis Moore ‘94, Shawn Williams ‘96 and Don Scott ‘87. Runtime: 1:48:19.
• Aggie Conversation of July 14, 2020, Dinner Edition featuring Rodney Pennywell ’86, Shaquille Gould ‘15, Nyanza Davis Moore ’94, Shawn Williams ’96 and Don Scott ’87. Runtime: 2:05:49.
• Aggie Conversation of July 7, 2020, Lunch Edition featuring Rodney Pennywell ’86, Kenneth Robinson ’93, Pastor Darron Edwards ’92 and Elizabeth Barnes ’21. Runtime: 2:03:55.
• Aggie Conversation of July 7, 2020, Dinner Edition featuring Rodney Pennywell ’86, Kenneth Robinson ’93, Pastor Darron Edwards ’92 and Elizabeth Barnes ’21. Runtime: 2:08:44.
• Aggie Conversation of June 30, 2020, Lunch Edition featuring Tommy Duncan ’89, Iman Ahmed ’22, Sherman Wright ’92 and Tiana Sanford ’04. Runtime: 2:02:02.
• Aggie Conversation of June 30, 2020, Dinner Edition featuring Tommy Duncan ’89, Iman Ahmed ’22, Sherman Wright ’92 and Tiana Sanford ’04. Runtime: 2:02:26.
• Aggie Conversation of June 23, 2020, Lunch Edition featuring Roland Martin ’92, Jennifer Thibeaux ’96, Josiah Caver ’19 Chibuike Imo ’20. Runtime: 43:23 (note: about 1:15 at the beginning of this episode failed to record).
• Aggie Conversation of June 23, 2020, Dinner Edition featuring Brian Williams ’93, Jennifer Thibeaux ’96, Josiah Caver ’19 Chibuike Imo ’20. Runtime: 2:08:19.

Robinson is a 1994 graduate of Texas A&M with a bachelor’s degree in computer science. He is the founder and CEO of CIS-Computer Innovation Services Inc., a software solutions and consulting organization that is a past Aggie 100 honoree. He is highly involved as an A&M former student, serving as a current board member of The Association of Former Students and as one of the founders of the Black Former Student Network, a chartered constituent network of The Association. He is a past board member of the Greek Former Student Network and has also served as a member of the Texas A&M University Aggie Spirit Development Council and the Texas A&M Department of Computer Science Strategic Development Committee in College of Engineering. He and his wife, Ann-Marie, have six children.

Below is more information on the series as provided by Robinson, including links for registration:

Format:
Moderator
Aggie Participants
Black and White Aggie Guest Speakers

Remember: Do not seek to make a POINT, seek to UNDERSTAND.

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Both editions are recurring meetings for every Tuesday.

You are not required to attend all the meetings and registration (for each edition) will only be required once.

*Important* - Rules of Engagement:

1. Forum to talk openly about race and the Black Experience in America and Texas A&M
2. For all Aggies (only); former and current students (max 100 participants)
3. Questions submitted before the call. Send to ken.robinson@aggienetwork.com
4. Two or three questions will be discussed each time.
5. NOTES:
a. The forum is for all Aggies.
b. Any question related to the Black experience historically or today can be asked.
c. The questions can be seeking to understand various scenarios, statements, opinions, etc.
d. For the first hour, all participants will be on mute, except for the moderator and guest speaker. Chat will be available.  In the second hour, ALL participants will be unmuted and encouraged to comment and participate in the discussions.
e. Participants must enable video for the call.
f. The moderator and/or host will have the ability to mute anyone who is not abiding by the guidelines or who is trying to make a point, versus seeking to understand.
g. The meeting will be recorded and available for publishing on any Texas A&M affiliate website or social media outlet.