Page 13 CDU Newsletter
March 2024
CDU ’ s 9th Annual President ’ s Breakfast Tackles Immigration Reform as a Moral Imperative
CDU held its 9th Annual President ’ s Breakfast at Colburn School ’ s Zipper Hall in downtown Los Angeles on February 29 . CDU President and CEO Dr . David M . Carlisle served as the event ’ s host and moderator of the panel discussion .
The theme of this year ’ s gathering was Immigration Reform : A Moral Imperative .
“ The choice of this theme reflects our institution ’ s dedication to fostering conversations that are not only timely but also timeless in their significance ,” said President Carlisle in his opening remarks . “ Immigration reform , with its complex web of social , economic , legal , and humanitarian considerations , challenges us to reflect deeply on our values , our responsibilities , and our aspirations as a society .”
The event commenced with introductory remarks by President Carlisle where he also provided the framework for the morning ’ s discussion .
Caitlin Dickerson , a Pulitzer Prize and Peabody Award-winning investigative reporter and feature writer for The Atlantic , served as the event ’ s keynote speaker . Dickerson also joined a distinguished panel of experts that led the audience through a thoughtful conversation on the urgent need for immigration reform . The panel included Nana Gyamfi , Efrain Talamantes , and Sonja F . M . Diaz .
Nana Gyamfi , Executive Director of Black Alliance for Just Immigration , a Black national organization that fights for the rights of Black migrants and African Americans , testified to the unique challenges faced by Black migrants within the broader immigration system . She inspired the audience to view immigration as a humanity defining issue .
“ When we talk about ‘ othering ’ and ‘ belonging ,’ it ’ s really a question of who is human ,” said Gyamfi . “ If we root ourselves in the understanding that migration is human then we understand that denying people the capacity to migrate is dehumanizing .”
Dickerson , whose upcoming book focuses on the systemic impact of deportation on American society , pointed out the national discourse on mass incarceration and its connection to discussions around deportation . As a journalist , Dickerson has often found herself listening to the stories of families whose Continued on page 14 ...
Photo by Kevin Camargo