September, 3, 2021 Update:

The 2021 National Humanities Conference scheduled to be held in Detroit, Michigan has been cancelled. We had high hopes of being able to meet in person this year, but as COVID-19 cases across the country continue to rise due to the Delta variant, we have decided to cancel this year’s in-person conference. 

We would like to offer our deep gratitude to Michigan Humanities and the members of the program committee for their efforts over the last two years. We were looking forward to exploring Detroit’s rich and instructive history at the conference. 

Given the lack of adequate time between now and November, we will not be able to offer a full virtual conference this year. Instead, we will offer a condensed virtual program that will include:

1. 1. The NHC virtual programming already scheduled for November 3rd and 4th; and
   2. A limited number of sessions focused on particular themes to be held virtually on November 12th.

Registration will launch with the revamped program reflecting these changes in the coming weeks. We hope you will join us. 

Not having a 2021 National Humanities Conference in Detroit is a real loss to our communities. We look forward to seeing you in person in Los Angeles in 2022.

Best regards,

Stephen Kidd
Executive Director
National Humanities Alliance

Phoebe Stein
President
Federation of State Humanities Councils

Friday, November 12th, 12:00-1:00 p.m. Eastern.

The 2021 Capps Lecture will feature Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha in conversation with Matt Jaber Stiffler of the Arab American National Museum and Michigan Humanities Board. Mona Hanna-Attisha, MD, MPH, FAAP, is the founder and director of the Michigan State University and Hurley Children’s Hospital Pediatric Public Health Initiative, an innovative and model public health program in Flint, Michigan.

A pediatrician, scientist, activist, and author, Dr. Hanna-Attisha has testified three times before the United States Congress and was awarded the Freedom of Expression Courage Award by PEN America. She was named one of Time magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in the World and recognized as one of USA Today’s Women of the Century for her role in uncovering the Flint water crisis and leading recovery efforts, and most recently, received the 2020 Fries Prize for Improving Health.

A frequent contributor to national media outlets, including the New York Times and Washington Post, Dr. Hanna-Attisha has appeared on CNN, MSNBC, BBC, and countless other outlets championing the cause of children in Flint and beyond. She is the founding donor of the Flint Child Health and Development Fund (flintkids.org). A Covid-19 survivor, Dr. Hanna-Attisha has donated her convalescent plasma several times while continuing to advocate for health and racial equity.

With concentrations in environmental health and health policy, Dr. Hanna-Attisha received her bachelor’s degree and Master of Public Health degree from the University of Michigan. She completed her medical degree from Michigan State University College of Human Medicine and her residency at Children’s Hospital of Michigan in Detroit, where she was chief resident. She is currently a Charles Stewart Mott Endowed Professor of Public Health and an associate professor of pediatrics and human development at Michigan State University College of Human Medicine.

Dr. Hanna-Attisha is the author of the widely acclaimed and bestselling book What the Eyes Don’t See: A Story of Crisis, Resistance, and Hope in an American City.