"(W)rap on Race" Town Hall with Greg Fishel held at NC Museum of Natural Sciences, Aug. 31 – WRAL.com

Raleigh, N.C. Forty years after anthropologist Margaret Mead and author James Baldwin met to have a Rap on Race, WRAL Chief Meteorologist Greg Fishel and the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences bring their conversation into the 21st century. In (W)rap on Race: Where Do We Go from Here? guest speakers will reflect on what the future holds for public education and race, the role of race in medicine, the potential dangers of using biology to explain the behaviors of certain racialized groups, and the ultimate question: where do we go from here? The free event takes place at the Museum on Thursday, August 31, 7 p.m.

The evenings speakers include:

Dr. Yolanda Moses, a past president of the American Anthropological Association (AAA), chair of AAAs National Advisory Board on Race and Human Variation, and co-author of the book Race: Are We So Different? She is also a Professor of Anthropology andAssociate Vice Chancellor for Diversity, Equity and Excellence at the University of California, Riverside. Dr. Jay S. Kaufman, a Professor and Canada Research Chair in the Health Disparities Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Occupational Health at McGill University and an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Dr. Joseph Graves, Jr., Associate Dean for Research and a Professor of Biological Sciences in the Joint School of Nanosciences and Nanoengineering, a collaboration between North Carolina A&T State University and UNC Greensboro.

This Town Hall is held in conjunction with the Museums current featured exhibition, RACE: Are We So Different? which runs through October 22. This program is part of a series at the Museum The Nature of Science: A Town Hall with Greg Fishel inspired by Albert Einsteins view that To raise new questions, new possibilities, to regard old problems from a new angle, requires creative imagination and marks real advance in science. The series is designed to provide in-depth discussions with leaders from around the globe as they explore the major scientific and environmental issues of our time. Comments and questions from the audience are encouraged.

Doors to the WRAL 3D Theater open at 6:30 p.m. All guests are invited to attend a coffee and dessert reception following the program from 8:30 to 9 p.m. in the Museums Natural Treasures Gallery. This program is made possible by the Friends of the NC Museum of Natural Sciences and Capitol Broadcasting Company.

The North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences in downtown Raleigh (11 and 121 W. Jones St.) is an active research institution that engages visitors of every age and stage of learning in the wonders of science and the natural world. Hours: Mon. Sat., 9 a.m.5 p.m., and Sun., noon5 p.m. General admission is free. Visit the Museum online at http://www.naturalsciences.org. Emlyn Koster, PhD, Museum Director.