Charles Robinson Hosts CIAA Reception, Introducing the Karson Institute
Charles Robinson presenting a video of Dr. Karsonya Whitehead, giving thanks to Robinson. (Aaron Wright/The Black Explosion)
Charles Robinson, correspondent for Maryland Public Television, hosted a CIAA Reception in Baltimore to raise funds for the Karson Institute on Feb. 25th.
The Karson Institute for Race, Peace and Social Justice is an organization that works to “operationalize the movement for racial and social justice,” according to the institute’s website.
Karsonya Whitehead, who has a doctorate in Language, Literacy and Culture according to her bio, is the founder and director of the Karson Institute, located at Loyola University Maryland.
Robinson got to know Whitehead through MPT's need to diversify the people on camera, so Robinson recommended Whitehead to them because she was “the right vehicle” for that.
“[The Karson Institute] is going to give people unique opportunities. It’s going to be academic, it’s going to be social, it’s going to be impactful and it’s going to be global,” Robinson said.
During the reception, Robinson showcased a video of Whitehead explaining the types of the discussions the institute hosts.
“[The discussions] go beyond the borders of Loyola, beyond the borders of Baltimore City, beyond the borders of America,” Whitehead said.
As a show of the wide reach the institute will have, Whitehead is hosting a conversation with Deputy President of Kenya, William Ruto, on March 1st at Loyola.
Many people attended the reception, including Robinson, Whitehead’s husband, Johnny Whitehead, Vice Chair of the Howard County Liquor Board, Harry Evans and former Mayor of Baltimore, Sheila Dixon.
Dixon says that she got to know Whitehead through Sunday runs with an exercise group and that this institute can make a real impact.
“The impact that this institution and this foundation is going to have on other races' lives...to be able to have that exposure and enlightenment,” Dixon said.
While it isn’t known if Dixon donated tonight, she did say that she will be making contributions to the institute in the future.
Johnny Whitehead attended the reception because Karsonya was in Arizona at the time. Despite this, Johnny Whitehead represented the institute for his wife, to whom he has full faith in.
“I know when she sets her mind to doing something...she’s going to give it her all,” Johnny Whitehead said. “Any product she puts out there from the Karson Institute is going to be the best product that she could possibly give.”
That was a sentiment shared throughout the night, as Robinson also gave his approval of what Karsonya Whitehead is achieving with this institution.
“People reached out to me when I was younger, who said ‘let me give you an opportunity,’” Robinson said. “That’s what the Karson Institute is going to do.”