Then we turn to a different kind of deficit: America’s growing social isolation. The Barnes Family Foundation, based in Bethlehem, has released its first Social Connection in America report — a sweeping look at how connected (or disconnected) people feel today. The findings are stark: disengagement is widespread, and certain groups — including people with lower incomes, less education, those who have never married, LGBTQ+ individuals, and some racial and ethnic communities — are especially at risk of social isolation. Yet, in a hopeful counterpoint, 72% of Americans still report a sense of belonging in their neighborhoods.

We had the privilege of speaking with Dr. Beverly Daniel Tatum, esteemed psychologist, scholar, and higher-education leader, about her upcoming visit to Dickinson College for Black History Month. Dr. Tatum will join Tony Boston, Dickinson’s chief diversity officer, and Jacquie Forbes, assistant professor of educational studies, for a conversation titled “The Psychology of Belonging: Navigating Identity on a College Campus.” Inspired by her New York Times bestselling book, Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria? And Other Conversations About Race, Tatum discussed how social identities are formed, the importance of fostering inclusion and psychological safety, and the ongoing challenges facing higher-education leaders.

Then we turn to a different kind of deficit: America&rsquo;s growing social isolation. The Barnes Family Foundation, based in Bethlehem, has released its first Social Connection in America report &mdash; a sweeping look at how connected (or disconnected) people feel today. The findings are stark: disengagement is widespread, and certain groups &mdash; including people with lower incomes, less education, those who have never married, LGBTQ+ individuals, and some racial and ethnic communities &mdash; are especially at risk of social isolation. Yet, in a hopeful counterpoint, 72% of Americans still report a sense of belonging in their neighborhoods.
We had the privilege of speaking with Dr. Beverly Daniel Tatum, esteemed psychologist, scholar, and higher-education leader, about her upcoming visit to Dickinson College for Black History Month. Dr. Tatum will join Tony Boston, Dickinson&rsquo;s chief diversity officer, and Jacquie Forbes, assistant professor of educational studies, for a conversation titled &ldquo;The Psychology of Belonging: Navigating Identity on a College Campus.&rdquo; Inspired by her New York Times bestselling book, Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria? And Other Conversations About Race, Tatum discussed how social identities are formed, the importance of fostering inclusion and psychological safety, and the ongoing challenges facing higher-education leaders.

When people come together and talk about really interesting topics, great questions spark better understanding and opportunities for new ideas to form. On The Spark from WITF, host Asia Tabb starts conversations about what’s happening in the world and at home. Share your ideas at https://witf.org/programs/the-spark.

When people come together and talk about really interesting topics, great questions spark better understanding and opportunities for new ideas to form. On The Spark from WITF, host Asia Tabb starts conversations about what&rsquo;s happening in the world and at home. Share your ideas at https://witf.org/programs/the-spark.

The Spark

When people come together and talk about really interesting topics, great questions spark better understanding and opportunities for new ideas to form. On The Spark from WITF, host Asia Tabb start the conversations about what’s happening in the world and at home. Share your ideas at https://witf.org/programs/the-spark.

When people come together and talk about really interesting topics, great questions spark better understanding and opportunities for new ideas to form. On The Spark from WITF, host Asia Tabb start the conversations about what&rsquo;s happening in the world and at home. Share your ideas at&nbsp;<a href="https://witf.org/programs/the-spark">https://witf.org/programs/the-spark</a>.