Panel discussions on Films and Food

The extraordinary new films Moonlight and I Am Not Your Negro are the focus of special screenings and panel discussions this week. On Wednesday Feb. 22, Moonlight:

A screening of Barry Jenkins’s Oscar-nominated film, followed by a panel discussion with Valerie Babb, professor of English and director of the Institute for African American Studies; Ed Pavlić, professor of English and creative writing; and Channette Romero, associate professor of English

And the next evening, Feb. 23, I Am Not Your Negro:

A screening of Raoul Peck’s Oscar-nominated documentary on James Baldwin, followed by a panel discussion with Valerie Babb, professor of English and director of the Institute for African American Studies; Rachel Gabara, associate professor of Romance languages, and Ed Pavlić, professor of English and creative writing.

Both presented by the Institute for African American Studies and Ciné.

Also on Feb. 22 at 4 p.m. in the Chapel, a panel discussion will bring together a handful of world-renowned figures in culinary and food policy circles:

Seed Life Skills is a nonprofit, research-based curriculum founded by Chef Hugh Acheson that is dedicated to providing young people with essential knowledge and skills in family and consumer sciences. Acheson and Almeta Tulloss, executive director of the Athens-based organization, have partnered with the Willson Center to produce a symposium on “Food, Culture, and Community” on Feb. 22, the first in what is planned to be a series of annual collaborations for the Willson Center’s Global Georgia Initiative.

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Joining Tulloss on the panel will be Chef Tom Collicchio, author, restaurateur, and head judge on the Bravo TV series “Top Chef”; Helen Rosner, executive editor of the online food culture magazine Eater; Rashid Nuri, president and CEO of the Atlanta-based Truly Eating Well Center for Natural Urban Agriculture; and Chef Michel Nischan, author, food equity advocate, and founder and CEO of the nonprofit organization Wholesome Wave.

Acheson will serve as the panel’s moderator and Chuck Reece, editor in chief of the online magazine The Bitter Southerner, will give opening remarks before the discussion.

More information at the links. This is our community, as portrayed by the wonderful people who are our friends, neighbors, teachers and colleagues. Food [and films] for thought. Thanks to the Willson Center for their constant work to bring the public together on the cultural issues that define us.