AACC hosted two A Meeting of the Minds events this semester to raise student awareness about police brutality and suicide.

The first 75-minute meeting, on Oct. 27, focused on Colin Kaepernick, a quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers, who started a silent protest by kneeling during the singing of the national anthem in response to police brutality against African-Americans. Kaepernick’s kneel influenced other players to kneel as well.

At the second meeting on Nov. 11, students discussed suicide and the resources available on campus.

“As someone who has dealt with suicide personally, I’m [happy] that they have a meeting … where people like me can share their experiences,” sophomore Juliann Felder said.

Expert speakers included professionals in law, human services and counseling. AACC psychology professor Dr. Matthew Yeazel also participated in the meetings.

“The A Meeting of the Minds piece about suicide came at the right time,” Yeazel said, “because we were coming out of an election where there was so much stuff going on.”

According to Dr. Suzanne Spoor, an English and gender studies professor who helped put the meetings together, future gatherings will include discussions on transgender support and activism.