Brief
Oberlin College DEI Center to Host Kimberlé Crenshaw on Nov. 9
The event follows the center's Innovation Fellows Mini‑Grant and Changemakers Undergraduate Fellowship programs.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Oberlin College’s Center for DEI Innovation & Leadership announced that it will host legal scholar Kimberlé W. Crenshaw on November 9, according to LegalInsurrection.com.
What happened
The Center, which describes its mission as “championing the next generation of DEI leaders and changemakers,” runs programs such as the Innovation Fellows Mini‑Grant and the Changemakers Undergraduate Fellowship. It plans a public event featuring Crenshaw, the architect of critical race theory, to discuss her new book Backtalker and the concept of “backtalking” in 2026.
What the reports add
LegalInsurrection.com notes that the Center’s other services include workshops, professional learning and micro‑credentials aimed at “supporting culturally responsive practice across campus.” The outlet also references a 2016 controversy at Oberlin involving a lawsuit over alleged racial profiling of Gibson’s Bakery, which resulted in a $35.59 million defamation verdict in the bakery’s favor.
What was said
The Center’s own description of its mission is quoted as “championing the next generation of DEI leaders and changemakers.” No direct quotes from Crenshaw or Oberlin officials appear in the source.
How it came about
The Center’s programming continues despite broader debates over critical race theory in higher education and past legal challenges involving the college. The upcoming Crenshaw event reflects the Center’s ongoing effort to promote DEI scholarship and public discourse.
Key facts
- Oberlin College’s Center for DEI Innovation & Leadership will host Kimberlé W. Crenshaw on November 9. (legalinsurrection.com)
- The event will focus on Crenshaw’s new book, Backtalker, and the idea of “backtalking.” (legalinsurrection.com)
- The Center runs the Innovation Fellows Mini‑Grant Program and the Changemakers Undergraduate Fellowship Program. (legalinsurrection.com)
- A 2016 lawsuit involving Oberlin and Gibson’s Bakery ended with a $35.59 million defamation verdict for the bakery. (legalinsurrection.com)
Sources
- [1] legalinsurrection.com — originally reported as “Oberlin's Center for DEI Champions 'Next Generation of DEI Leaders'”
