The Conversations with Black and Brown in Blue speaker series has connected the Sonoma State University community with a diverse group of accomplished experts from a wide range of professional fields through meaningful conversations with our Chief of Police, Nader Oweis. These discussions have provided valuable learning opportunities while fostering a more inclusive and engaged community environment.
Designed to encourage open, honest, and constructive dialogue, the program seeks to reduce barriers, challenge misperceptions, and strengthen understanding between communities and law enforcement. The series has proven to be inspiring, thought-provoking, and deeply insightful, while also demonstrating strong potential as a model for engaging communities nationwide in ways that promote meaningful, lasting, and sustainable cultural change.
For questions or interest in future speakers, please contact us at [email protected].
*Please note that not all sessions are listed below.
Past Lectures
| Date | Event |
|---|
| November 5, 2025 | Conversations with Black and Brown in Blue Personal Branding: How to Be an Influencer with Kai Amos |
| October 8, 2025 | Conversations with Black and Brown in Blue: Democratizing AI Access, Equity & Responsibility with Raja Gopalan |
| February 10, 2025 | Spring 2025 Transforming AI Through Authentic Ingenuity with Shelton Mercer III |
| March 13, 2024 | Spring 2024 Black and Brown In Blue |
| November 14, 2023 | Black and Brown in Blue Featuring Jimmy Chief Marlon C. Lynch |
| September 26, 2023 | Black and Brown in Blue Featuring Jimmy “Rome” Ballard |
| March 15, 2023 | Black and Brown in Blue Featuring Jillian Van Riper |
| March 8, 2023 | Black and Brown in Blue Featuring YOLO County DA, Jeff Reisig |
| November 1, 2022 | Black and Brown in Blue ft. Chief Kevin Kilgore |
| October 5, 2022 | Black and Brown in Blue ft. Tanzanika Carter |
| September 27, 2022 | Black and Brown in Blue ft. M. Quentin Williams |
| April 6, 2022 | Conversations with Black & Brown in Blue Chaplains |
| February 3, 2022 | Conversations with Black and Brown in Blue ft. Fred Galloway |
| December 1, 2021 | Conversations with Black and Brown in Blue ft. Dr. John Brown Childs |
| December 1, 2021 | Conversations with Black and Brown in Blue ft. Cynthia Renaud |
| November 17, 2021 | Conversations with Black and Brown in Blue ft. Tru Pettigrew |
| November 10, 2021 | Conversations with Black and Brown in Blue ft. Marvin Richardson |
| October 20, 2021 | Conversations with Black and Brown in Blue ft. Eric Roman |
| September 29, 2021 | Conversations with Black and Brown in Blue ft. Darryl Thornton |
