Ignite: Dean's 2026 Spring Speaker Series - University of Pittsburgh School of Education

February 2-3, 2026

Join us for a presentation of Imagined Futures, a powerful digital and visual scholarship project exploring the voices and visions of Black scholars. Through this School of Education event, you’ll hear from the inspiring project creators Dr. Candace N. Hall of Southern Illinois University and Dr. Charles H.F. Davis III of University of Michigan.

Their creative work—which comes at a time when Black faculty represent a small fraction of college faculty nationwide—is designed to amplify the voices and experiences of Black scholars by providing a platform that celebrates their unique contributions to academia.

There is no cost to attend. All members of the Pitt community and general public are welcome. You may attend both events or only one.

Schedule of Events

Film Screening and Art Exhibit

Monday, February 2, 2026
Begins at 4:30 p.m.
Alumni Hall Ballroom
4227 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15260 [View Map]

On the opening night, there will be a film screening of Things We Imagined with filmmakers Dr. Hall and Dr. Davis III, followed by a Q&A with the filmmakers. You’ll also have the opportunity to view their traveling art installation, which features artistic portraits, interviews, and essays from college and university faculty.

Popcorn and light refreshments will be served.

This event is generously sponsored by Pitt’s Office of Institutional Engagement & Wellbeing.

Post-Screening Discussion Group

Tuesday, February 3, 2026
9:30 – 11 a.m.
Center for Urban Education, Posvar Hall, Room 4303 [View Map]

Following the screening of Things We Imagined, filmmakers Candace N. Hall and Charles H.F. Davis III will lead a post-screening discussion centered on the creative, research, and production processes that informed the documentary. This session will critically examine the methodological choices, ethical considerations, and conceptual frameworks that shaped the film’s development—from initial inquiry and narrative construction to visual strategy and collaborative decision-making.

A light breakfast will be served.

This event is generously sponsored by the Center for Urban Education.

All are welcome to attend

You may attend both events or only one of the events.

Meet the Speakers

Dr. Candace N. Hall is a faculty member in the higher education and student affairs program at Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville. Dr. Hall’s her research focuses on recruitment, retention, and support of faculty across institutional types to understand faculty job satisfaction. In 2023, Dr. Hall created and produced the award-winning documentary “Clusterluck,” which highlights the experiences of Black faculty and unpacks what community means for Black scholars within their departments at predominantly white institutions.

Dr. Charles H.F. Davis III is a faculty member in the Center for the Study of Higher and Postsecondary Education and director of the Campus Abolition Research Lab at the University of Michigan. Dr. Davis’ research and teaching broadly focus on the racialized consequences of higher education on society and the life-affirming possibilities of postsecondary institutions to improve the material conditions of everyday Black people. Dr. Davis has written, photographed, and produced several multidisciplinary projects to include his 2016 documentary film “Saving Tomorrow, Today.”

Project Overview

Imagined Futures is a digital and visual scholarship project that brings together artistic portraits, in-depth interviews, and thought-provoking essays from Black college and university faculty. This initiative is designed to amplify the voices and experiences of Black scholars by providing a creative platform that celebrates their unique contributions to academia. Through speculative approaches, the project seeks to increase our collective visibility, foster innovative models for self-authorship, and introduce new grammars of Black futurity and Black life-making both within the university setting and in broader societal contexts.

The project’s multidisciplinary format encourages participants to reimagine their personal and professional narratives, empowering them to articulate visions of the future unbounded by conventional limitations. By weaving together visual art, storytelling, and scholarly reflection, “Things We Imagined” film and exhibit serve not only as a repository of lived experiences but also as a catalyst for transformative dialogue about equity, representation, and possibility in higher education. Ultimately, the project aspires to inspire ongoing conversations and actions that support the flourishing of Black faculty, students, and communities both inside and outside academic institutions.

The Film

“Things We Imagined” is a feature-length documentary film about Black college and university professors and the futures they imagined for themselves. The film takes a narrative approach, drawing primarily from in-depth, semi-structured interviews with more than 30 faculty members from across the United States.

Also included are behind-the-scenes moments from academic conferences, campus visits, and everyday interactions between colleagues and friends.

Watch the trailer

The Art Exhibit

The “Things We Imagined” exhibit is a 1,200 square-foot art exhibit that includes data stories, descriptive analyses, and portraits of 75 aspiring, current, and former Black faculty members from 55 colleges and universities.

Thank You To Our Sponsors

University of Pittsburgh Center for Urban Education

University of Pittsburgh Office of Institutional Engagement & Wellbeing

University of Pittsburgh School of Education Office of the Dean

Questions?

We’d love to hear from you. Please contact us at soenews@pitt.edu