Actress and advocate Laverne Cox coming to TU
TU will host "Orange is the New Black" star at its semi-annual Division of Student Affairs Diversity Speaker Series at SECU Arena.
By Reiko Gallo '18 on March 11, 2018
Each semester, the Center for Student Diversity (CSD) works to bring a culturally relevant speaker to campus as part of Towson University's Diversity Speaker Series. This long-standing tradition allows activists, educators and entertainers to bring their experiences full swing by discussing social issues relevant to students, faculty and staff.
This spring, the Division of Student Affairs Diversity Speaker Series will host actress and LGBTQ+ advocate Laverne Cox on Tuesday, March 13 at 7 p.m. at SECU Arena. The event is free and open to the public with doors opening at 6 p.m. for those with a OneCard, and 6:30 p.m. for general admission.
“We hope that Laverne Cox will challenge us to explore intersections of race, class and gender and inspire attendees to live their authentic selves,” explained Mahnoor Ahmed, associate director for student diversity and development in the CSD.
Past speakers have included pivotal individuals such as Angela Davis, Common, Dr. Michael Eric Dyson, Arun Ghandi, Nikki Giovanni, Ben Jealous, Cleve Jones, Rigoberta Menchu Tum, Kurt Schmoke, Chuck D, Dr. Julianna Malveaux and most recently, comedian and “The Daily Show” correspondent Hasan Minhaj.
Cox is a widely recognized voice for the LGBTQ+ community. Her work in the entertainment world has pushed for, and accomplished, larger representation on screen for transgender individuals, especially those of color. As a career veteran of making history, Cox has led the way for marginalized people to achieve great success.
Most notable following her role as hairdresser and openly trans character, Sophia Burset on the Netflix series “Orange Is the News Black,” Cox has continuously expanded her talents into the mainstream.
She is the first trans woman of color to produce and star in her own television show, VH1’s “TRANSForm ME,” the first trans woman of color to appear on an American reality television programs, VH1’s “I Wanna Work for Diddy” for which she accepted a GLAAD media award, the first trans person to be nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award in the acting category for her role in “Orange Is the New Black,” the first trans woman to win a Daytime Emmy as an executive producer for her documentary, “Laverne Cox Presents: The T Word,” and the first trans person to appear on the cover of both Cosmopolitan and Time Magazine.
“Laverne Cox has a very powerful personal and professional narrative,” Ahmed said. “With various ‘firsts’ in her already impressive career, the Emmy-nominated actress, documentary film producer and prominent equal rights advocate continues to make history in her career and significant strides in her activism.”
With over a decade of development, the Diversity Speakers Series provides an opportunity for the TU community “to engage with high profile issues that are impacting our world,” said Ahmed, calling the program a chance for the TU community to examine its role as a “global citizen.”