Conversations with Black and Brown in Blue
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 police@sonoma.edu.
Inspire Sonoma - Fall 2026 Speaker Series
Preparing Today for Tomorrow
Workplace and Leadership Ideas for a Thriving Sonoma County
Inspire Sonoma is a forward-looking workplace and leadership speakers series that brings together educators, policymakers, business leaders, students, and community members to explore how education, healthcare, technology, entrepreneurship, legal frameworks, and human-centered leadership can shape Sonoma County’s future. Anchored in the theme “Preparing Today for Tomorrow,” the objectives of the series focuses on bringing individuals to share their experiences and insight to explore how free expression, education, mentorship, and perseverance can unlock opportunity underscoring various pathways towards upward social and economic mobility.
Inspire Sonoma brings together Sonoma State University and its surrounding communities through engaging conversations on issues that matter. The partnership includes the Sonoma State University Police Department’s Conversations with Black and Brown in Blue, the Center for Ethics, Law, and Society, the Career Center, and the College of Humanities, Social Sciences and the Arts, in collaboration with the cities of Rohnert Park and Cotati. Together, these partners create opportunities to share perspectives, strengthen connections, and inspire a more informed, inclusive, and connected community.
See the list of speakers on the Inspire Sonoma Webpage.
Past Black and Brown in Blue Lectures
*Please note that not all sessions are listed below.