SPEAKER
SERIES
50th Anniversary Year Features Expanded # ItTakesUs Speaker Series
The # ItTakesUs Social Justice Speaker Series hosts thought-provoking presentations on race , religion , culture , equality and mental health . Support for the award-winning series is provided by the PHSC Foundation and the Office of Education Access and Engagement Department
Former Buccaneer Randy Grimes Shares Story of Addiction and Recovery
In collaboration with Pasco NOPE ( Narcotics Overdose Prevention Education ), PHSC hosted an inspirational presentation featuring former Tampa Bay Buccaneer Randy Grimes . The event , moderated by Pinellas-Pasco Circuit Judge Shawn Crane , was held at the West Campus last November . Grimes , center for the Bucs ( 1983-1992 ) shared Grimes addresses a large audience at the Performing Arts Center , West Campus . original game-day film that captured the brutal side of professional football in excruciating detail . After suffering multiple injuries , Grimes found himself in constant agony , relieved by consuming up to 45 painkillers per day . After the collapse of his marriage and career , he was left only with the will to recover . A candlelight vigil symbolically lit the way for those struggling with addiction and remembered the 600 lives lost to overdoses in Pasco County as of November 2022 .
A candlelight vigil remembered lives lost .
Commentator Dissects Media ’ s “ Divide and Prosper ” Mentality
Eric Deggans , National Public Radio ’ s ( NPR ’ s ) TV critic , presented “ The Future of TV , Social Media and Objective Truth in the Modern World ,” offered on Zoom and in-person at the Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch last November .
Deggans asserted that conflicting political views , changing technologies , and social media have made it difficult for people to agree even on basic facts . Outlining events in media history , Deggans demonstrated that consumers wield the often-unacknowledged power to reject outlets focused on harmful , destructive content and embrace those that deliver accurate , fair discussions . The only winners in disseminating misinformation , said Deggans , are media outlets that bank on higher ratings and profits .
The # ItTakesUs Social Justice Speaker Series is supported by PHSC Student Life and Leadership and the Education Access and Engagement Department .
Deggans with Natalie Epo , Associate Dean , Academic Affairs at the Porter Campus . Natalie won a copy of Deggans ’ book by correctly answering questions related to race and widespread media myths .
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