Join us for important conversations following the performances of Br’er Cotton on Saturday, April 7 and Saturday, April 14.
Saturday, April 7
DR. RONNIE A. DUNN
Associate Professor of Urban Studies, Director of Institutional Diversity, Cleveland State University
Dr. Ronnie A. Dunn is an urban sociologist and his research interests include race, crime, and policing, as well as racial health disparities. Some of his scholarly publications include “Racial Profiling: A Persistent Civil Rights Challenge Even in the Twenty-First Century” (2016), “The Marginalization and Criminalization of the Black Male Image in Postmodern America” (2014), “Increasing Cultural Competency Among Medical Care Providers” (2011), and The Relevance of Race in Citizen Complaints Against the Police (2010). As director of Institutional Diversity, he will found and head the Diversity Institute, which will primarily engage in research, training, and advocacy relative to issues of diversity, inclusion, and social equity both internally at CSU and within the broader community. Dr. Dunn is a native Clevelander and a US Air Force Veteran.
CHIEF ANDRÉS GONZÁLEZ
Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority Police Department
Andrés González was appointed Chief of Police of the Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority on April 16, 2007. He is a 37-year veteran who began his law enforcement career with the City of Cleveland Division of Police, where he served eight years as Commander of the Cleveland Police Third Neighborhood District. He is the first Hispanic to be appointed Chief of Police of a political subdivision in Cuyahoga County. Chief González serves on the Board of Directors for the Cleveland Rape Crisis Center, The Partnership for a Safer Cleveland, and the Cleveland Boys and Girls Club. He also serves as an Advisory Board Member to the State of Ohio Family Violence Prevention Center and the Ohio Executive Institute Committee. Chief González is a graduate of the FBI National Academy, the Police Executive Leadership College, and the Leadership Cleveland class of 2013.
Saturday, April 14
ERIKA L. ANTHONY
Vice President of Government Relations and Strategy, Cleveland Neighborhood Progress
Erika L. Anthony, a native New Yorker, is a co-founder of Cleveland VOTES and Hack Cleveland. She sits on a number of Boards in the area, including ideastream’s Community Advisory Board and the Cuyahoga County Public Defender Commission. Erika also serves as an Adjunct Professor for a policy class at Case Western Reserve University, Mandel School of Applied Sciences. Erika and her husband Brian reside in Cleveland and enjoy travelling, biking, and spending time with family and friends.
CAPTAIN KEITH SULZER
Captain in Community Policing, Liaison to the Cleveland Police Foundation
Captain Keith Sulzer has been a police officer for over 27 years and has worked in every part of the city. He was the commander of the 2nd District for 7 years and was a staunch advocate for police officers getting positively involved with all aspects of the community. He is a Cleveland native and currently resides on the west side. He has been married to his wife, Alex, for over 30 years and has three sons.
Andrew Aaron Valdez (Moderator)
CPT New Play Associate, Br’er Cotton Assistant Director
Andrew Aaron Valdez is a director, playwright, educator, actor, and arts administrator from Donna, Texas. He is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin’s BFA Theatre Education program. Valdez’s works and management experience have been seen as a part of The Cohen New Works Festival and The Austin Latino New Play Festival. Valdez is passionate about curating palpable theatre experiences for artists and audiences. Valdez’s work is centered on highlighting underrepresented communities and immersive theatre set in unconventional spaces. Prior to joining CPT, Valdez was an Education Administrative Assistant at ZACH Theatre.