On September 24, the University of Detroit Mercy community gathered in the Student Union Ballroom on McNichols Campus for, “Building Community Power Through Journalism,” a discussion with award-winning WDET journalist Nargis Hakim Rahman. Rahman engaged in a dynamic discussion with Prof. Katie Merriman on how journalism can serve as a tool for empowering communities by giving voice to underrepresented groups. Rahman’s work to lift up the voices of Detroit’s Arab American community, particularly those of Bengali and Muslim women, was explored.
Prof. Katie Merriman, Director of Islamic Studies and Assistant Professor of Religious Studies, organized and hosted this event that drew attention to the critical role journalism plays in fostering social justice.
Co-sponsors of the event included the Islamic Studies Program, Office of the Dean (CHASS), Department of Communications, Women’s and Gender Studies Program, and the Department of Religious Studies.