Critical Conversations and Student Voices Conference

Thomas W. Mitchell holds the Robert F. Drinan, S.J. Endowed Chair at BC Law and serves as the Director of the Initiative on Promoting  Land, Housing & Property Rights, which seeks to help disadvantaged people and communities acquire and secure important property rights. Prior to joining Boston College in 2022, he served as a tenured professor on the faculties of the University of Wisconsin Law School (2000-2016) and Texas A&M University School of Law (2016-2022). In 2017-2018, he served as interim Dean of Texas A&M School of Law. Professor Mitchell is a national expert on property issues facing disadvantaged families and communities, and has published leading scholarly works addressing these matters in academic journals, government publications, and publications for trade associations such as the American Bar Association. He has been interviewed by numerous media outlets including the New Yorker, The New York Times, The Washington Post, USA Today, NPR, ProPublica, The Nation, Politico, Mother Jones, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, VICE, and many more. 

To learn more about Thomas W. Mitchell, Robert Drinan, S.J., Professor of Law, view his faculty profile.

Racialized Property Systems in America: Generational Impacts and Possible Solutions

My keynote address will provide a historical account of several aspects of various property law systems in the United States that have marginalzed people of color from historically subordinated groups in ways that have had adverse multi-generational impacts. This account will demonstrate that, throughout U.S. history, both private and public actors have acted to stymie the ability of people of color to have strong property rights or sometimes any property rights at all. Finally, the presentation will address how a historically racialized property system can be (and in some instances is being) remedied with a special focus on the promise of Boston College Law School's new Initiative on Land, Housing & Property Rights.

Devianna is a senior from Chelmsford, Massachusetts, majoring in Political Science and Communication, Morrissey College of Arts & Sciences. Devianna is currently a Resident Assistant at Boston College in the V90 Community and serves as an Academic Advising Fellow for BC’s Advising Center to help students navigate BC and find their academic passion(s). Devianna’s duties as a Resident Assistant has taught her the importance of  “Cura Personalis” and inspired her to be the Multicultural Living Experience RA last year. Devianna is committed to her other leadership roles as she is the Chair of the Student Conduct Board; she recently served as President of the AHANA Pre-Law Students Association and Treasurer of the Caribbean Culture Club. Lastly, she is a part of the Communication Honors Department. 

Isaiah is originally from Omaha, Nebraska.  He is a junior majoring in political science (pre-law) with a minor in music.  In his free time, he loves to read, spend time with friends, watch movies, and learn to play new music on the piano.  Currently, Isaiah serves as president of the Dedicated Intellectuals of the People (D.I.O.P.), co-chairman for the Black History Month Committee, and a resident assistant for the Grande Intercultural Experience Floor.  These positions have allowed him the opportunity to build a community centered around vulnerability, accountability, and encouragement.  Having the ability to build these communities has been one of the most rewarding parts of being a student at Boston College.  Much of the work he does at BC is geared towards bringing resources and support to the BIPOC community.  He believes that it is his responsibility, along with others, to leave this place better for the next generation that comes here after us. 

Loyola Marymount University is home to an exceptional student-led effort called the Intercultural Facilitator (IF) Program. The premise of the program is to develop a group of students, highly skilled in principles of facilitation, to effectively facilitate other students in critical cultural conversations. In this session participants will be able to learn more about this program model and adopt their practices within their communities and institutions.