PitchLine Programs   

On the 25th anniversary of 9/11, I will share stories of my time documenting the harms of deportation on communities throughout the US. I will consider how events throughout U.S. history—including the attacks of 9/11—have shaped immigration policy and discuss the lessons in resiliency and organizing that immigrant communities have given to us. I will end by reflecting on how we can collectively develop a better, more humane immigration system.

Dr. Lopez is a Clinical Associate Professor at the University of Michigan School of Public Health and author of Raiding the Heartland: An American Story of Deportation and Resistance, a follow-up to his award-winning first book, Separated. In addition to his research on the health impacts of deportation, Dr. Lopez contributes to public discussions on deportation, diversity, and Latino culture in venues such as the Washington Post, CNN, TIME, and MSNBC. He is on the Boards of Health in Partnership and The Latino Newsletter.

Our country is more divided than ever, with too many of us isolated from those who hold different views. This division damages our communities, disrupts our families, and stops us from working together for the common good. We’re guided by the rule that red and blue leaders are equally represented at every level of organizational guidance. We inspire and equip Americans to practice courageous citizenship across political differences through skill-building, convening, and collaborative action.

Emily Twanmo joined Braver Angels in 2023 after her book club read about a sociologist’s research study. Emily serves as co-chairperson of the Alliance of Washtenaw County, the first official Braver Angels Alliance in Michigan. Emily is a qualified moderator for Braver Angels workshops. She has over 20 years of experience leading meetings, facilitating discussions, and public speaking, as well as financial management, policy development, and team building.

Dina Kurz joined Braver Angels in 2025 to learn about the motivations and stories of others who think and believe differently than her circle of friends and colleagues. Over the course of her career, she has partnered at the local, state, and national level with governmental and community-based organizations to strengthen the skills of those who work to promote and protect the quality of life in communities.

Dr. Clark has a lot of formal education. But her real education took place through her willingness to jump into activities and jobs for which she wasn't sure she was qualified. As a NASA Scientist, she kept waiting for someone to say, "The jig is up; we have figured out that you have no idea what you are doing. Get out!" She shares stories of her adventures, such as launching science experiments on the space shuttle and landing an F-18 on an aircraft carrier.

Dr. Kathryn Clark earned five advanced degrees from UM and recently retired from UM’s Aerospace Engineering department. Her work has focused on the health, safety, and efficiency of crews on long-duration space missions. As former International Space Station Senior Scientist, she coordinated scientists from 16 countries. She later served as Chief Scientist for Human Spaceflight, helping plan missions to Mars and using the ISS to address the physiological challenges of long-term spaceflight. She now writes children’s books about the solar system as Auntie KC.

FREE for OLLI Members

Banned Together is a must-watch film. At once inspiring, illuminating, enraging, and terrifying, the film captures the true threats of book banning and the power of young people and authors in fighting for the freedom to read. -Jonathan Friedman, PEN America.

The final offering for OLLI’s programing in support of the American Library Association’s (ALA) Banned Books Week is a panel discussion on the ALA’s broad topic for the year “Let Books Be: Protect the Freedom to Read.” A panel representing the community’s school and public libraries and an independent bookstore will address this topic.

Panelists:
Juli Darling is the author of several books including Little Hackers and Social-Emotional Learning Using Makerspaces and Passion Projects. She's spent more than 20 years working in bookstores and both public and school libraries.

Lucy Lawrence is the Events & Communications Coordinator at Serendipity Books in Chelsea, Michigan. Lucy is originally from Florida and recently earned her MSW at the University of Michigan with a concentration in policy and political social work. She contributes to the selection of books available for purchase and to the bookstore’s full
schedule of community events for all ages.

Jaclyn Martin is a middle school librarian in the Troy School District and Intellectual Freedom Chair for the Michigan Association of School Librarians. She recently finished the Law for Librarians training offered through the American Library Association.

Julianne Smith has been a librarian for over 30 years and is currently the Assistant Director of the Ypsilanti Library where her responsibilities include chairing the Request for Reconsideration Committee (material challenges) and organizing the annual Banned Books Week exhibit at YDL-Whittaker.

The discussion will be moderated by Marjorie Oliver, a member of the Banned Books Week Committee, Chair of OLLI Reads, and former community college composition and literature faculty member.