Activist, author, and attorney Sandra Barnhill, JD will return to Kalamazoo College this month for a series of events, including two open to the public, focused on the balance between advocating for social change and preserving one’s sense of purpose.
Barnhill will discuss her book, Tough Mind, Tender Heart: Reflections on a Black Woman’s Activist Journey, from 2–4 p.m. Saturday, April 18, at the Black Arts and Cultural Center, 359 S. Kalamazoo Mall, Suite 102.
She will also deliver a keynote address at 4:15 p.m. Thursday, April 23, in Room 103 of Dewing Hall, 1219 Academy St. Both events, which will feature cultural curator LJ Hollingsworth, and will explore what it means to find one’s voice in a complex world.
Advance registration is encouraged for the April 18 event to help plan for attendance. Guests may register online and walk-ins are welcome.
Barnhill is the founder and former CEO of Foreverfamily, formerly Aid to Children of Imprisoned Mothers, a national nonprofit based in Atlanta that works with children and families impacted by parental incarceration, providing mentoring, leadership development, and advocacy to support long-term stability and opportunity. In 2018, she founded Sandra Barnhill and Associates, a consulting firm focused on advancing social justice and strengthening nonprofit organizations. She was named a Leadership for a Changing World awardee in 2004. Today, she continues that work alongside aspiring and seasoned activists, offering guidance to those navigating the demands of sustained social change.
Barnhill has long-standing ties to Kalamazoo College. As a founding visiting fellow at the Arcus Center for Social Justice Leadership in 2011, she conducted research on intergenerational mentoring and social justice leadership in activist communities. She also co-facilitated a course titled Social Justice Leadership Fundamentals, sparking the creation of the College’s first Diva Brunch, an empowerment-focused gathering for women of color students.
Her book chronicles a four-decade career in activism, offering candid reflections on the challenges and rewards of working for social change. It encourages readers to engage in activism at any level and underscores the importance of diverse voices in the pursuit of justice.
Additional events for students, faculty and staff will be announced through campus communications. The Arcus Center for Social Justice Leadership, the Mary Jane Underwood Stryker Center for Civic Engagement and the Intercultural Center have all collaborated on planning Barnhill’s to campus. For more information, contact Canders at Coco.Canders@kzoo.edu.