The British Empire and the Queen: Exploring colonialism and social justice through the lens of current events

KSUnite DEIB Conference Day 1 - November 14, 2022 - Breakout Sessions Period 1 (2:30pm-3:20pm)
Flint Hills Room

With the death of Queen Elizabeth, came various reactions to the monarchy and its exploitation by the British empire during the colonial era and even today. This topic directly ties into “bridging distances and differences”. By exploring how the UK and the monarchy used their power around the globe, we can begin to see how colonialism has had an impact on many issues including social justice issues. The presenters will show how social media reactions around the world were critical of the UK and the monarchy following Queen Elizabeth’s death and how the pushback to those reactions follows a common theme for those working against social progress. We will also explore the stock and concealed stories around the imperialism of the UK. Finally, the presenters will share stories from several former colonies under UK rule and how that still has residual effects today. Our presentation ties to them because the demand for justice and restitution is still evident despite the that colonialism is supposedly over. Our presentation will look at the legacies of colonialism and offer leadership solutions that would address the injustices of the past and set an agenda for inclusive and just leadership in our world.

The target audiences are school students and faculty members interested in how current events can be used to explore social justice issues and concepts.
DEIB Challenge Level: Intermediate

Presenters

Chibuzor Azubuike

Chibuzor Azubuike
Graduate PhD
Leadership Communications

Chibuzor Mirian Azubuike is a social change person with different dimensions; author, social entrepreneur and researcher. She is the author of The Girl Who Found Water and My Birthmark, My Gift. Chibuzor has over ten years of experience as a seminar facilitator and involvement in community development focusing on youth empowerment and clean water provision. She has engaged over 10 000 youths through her book titled, The Girl Who Found Water. She is also the founder of Haske Water Aid and Empowerment Foundation with the mission of providing potable water for rural communities and youth empowerment. Through her NGO she has partnered with corporate and International Organizations to provide clean water for over 55,000 Nigerians. She has also provided grants to several young people to embark on water projects. She is a Mandela Washington Fellow, Young African Scholar of Harry Frank Guggenheim Foundation, Next Generation of African Scholars, and others.

She teaches people storytelling, and how to win fully funded fellowships/scholarships and grants. She is also a Leadership trainer. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Philosophy and Masters in Diaspora and Transnational studies from the University of Benin and University of Ibadan respectively in Nigeria. She is currently doing her PhD in Leadership Communication at Kansas State University in the US.

Andrew Wefald

Dr. Andrew Wefald
Associate Professor
Staley School of Leadership

Andrew Wefald is an Associate Professor with the Staley School of Leadership. He teaches in the school, often teaching inclusive leadership, and writes and does research around building skills and capacity to exercise inclusive leadership.

Return to the 2022 KSUnite DEIB Conference Day 1 main page