Annual Diversity Convocation

Wednesday, March 22  |  3-4:30 p.m., Sharp Theater

featuring Keynote Speaker

Jamal Joseph

Jamal Joseph’s Bio

Jamal Joseph is a professor, writer, director, educator and activist whose film and television credits include Ali: An American Hero for FOX, Knights of the South Bronx for A&E, New York Undercover for FOX, Hughes Dream Harlem for PBS and the independent feature Chapter & Verse (a New York Times Critic’s pick) which had theatrical release aired on BET. Joseph was a story consultant for Netflix and David Chase on the Sopranos prequel The Many Saints of Newark.

Joseph was a leader of the Harlem Chapter of the Black Panther Party and spent nine years in prison. He began writing and directing plays in prison and founded a groundbreaking multiracial theater ensemble while incarcerated at Leavenworth Federal Penitentiary. He has since written, directed and produced plays and theatrical events at National Black Theater, New Heritage Theatre, Riverside Theater, St. James Theater, The Apollo, Theater at Madison Square Garden, Miller Theater and Carnegie Hall.

Joseph is the co-founder of the Oscar® and Grammy®-nominated Impact Youth Theatre. He is the Executive Artistic Director of New Heritage Theatre, the oldest Black non-profit theater in New York State.

Joseph is the creator and executive producer of the Starz television series Panther Baby, based on his critically acclaimed memoir (published by Algonquin Books). The series follows Joseph’s journey as the youngest member of the Panther 21 and a radical prisoner who spent close to 10 years in state and federal prison.

Joseph has been a member of Columbia University’s film faculty for 25 years. He is a full professor of professional practice in film and was the first African American to serve as the head of the screen and television writing program and as Chair of the Graduate Film Division. He is the author of Tupac Legacy, an interactive biography of Tupac Shakur published by Atria Books.

Joseph’s awards include an NAACP leadership award, Black Filmmakers’ Hall of Fame Award, Paul Robeson Award from Actor’s Equity Association, AUDELCO Leadership Award and Sundance Directing Fellowship. He is a three-time winner of the National Black Program Consortium Prized Pieces Award, a Cine Golden Eagle, a Purpose Prize from Encore.org and a 2008 Best Song Oscar nominee.

Diversity Convocation Event Photos from 2022

Featuring Brenda ‘Sue’ Fulton, former State Executive, Military Trailblazer & LGBTQ+ Champion 

For disability accommodations, please call 201-684-6696 72 hours in advance.