Incognito: On Race, Identity and Self Discovery

Michael Fosberg

Thursday, 08 Sep 2016 at 7:00 pm – Great Hall, Memorial Union

Michael Fosberg grew up in a white working-class family outside of Chicago, raised by his biological mother and adoptive father. When he was in his early thirties his parents divorced, inspiring him to track down his biological father. During a phone call, Michael learned "a couple of things I'm sure your mother never told you:" first, that his father had not forgotten him and, second, that he is African American. This life-changing event led to a remarkable journey of self-discovery. Fosberg uses his autobiographical play, Incognito, to probe his past, his family's reaction, and our country's difficulty in understanding and discussing identity, race, and heritage. The unique presentation is followed by a discussion about the meaning of race and identity and the importance of embracing diversity.

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Michael Fosberg has worked for more than thirty years as an actor, writer, director and educator. He published his memoir Incognito: An American Odyssey of Race and Self Discovery as a follow-up to his highly successful autobiographical play, and is currently working on a second book about his decade of efforts to provoke conversations about race.

Fosberg has been a frequent guest in the media speaking on race and identity issues. His travels have taken him across the country facilitating meaningful conversations at educational institutions, corporations, government agencies and military bases. He has worked with organizations such as United Way Worldwide, the FBI, The Boeing Company and others, to help reshape the way organizations converse about race, identity, and diversity.

Cosponsored By:

• Alpha Delta Pi
• Human Development & Family Studies
• Psychology
• Sociology
• Committee on Lectures (funded by Student Government)