Who Are We Now?
The current pandemic and worldwide demonstrations against systemic racism have had an unprecedented impact on the world. The question “Who are we now?” prompts a consideration of the forces that drive us.
This question, and the conversations that follow, were inspired by Cal alumna Maria Smith ’19. While sheltering in place, Maria began to evaluate our ideas of self and purpose during this time of uncertainty, and saw the importance of having open, honest conversations around these themes.
This moment in history will no doubt impact our identities as individuals and, ultimately, as a society. To address this historic moment, “Who Are We Now?” engages Cal alumni and students in virtual discussions around current events to find out how their experiences at Cal have shaped their identities. Join us in these important conversations as we address these complex topics head-on.
Moderator
Host Joe Spano ’67 is an Emmy Award-winning actor who plays Tobias Fornell on television’s NCIS. Previously, he played Lt. Henry Goldblume on the series Hill Street Blues and starred in Mercy Point, Amazing Grace, Murder One and NYPD Blue. Joe has starred in 20 films made for television and guest-starred on 38 television shows. He has appeared in 30 feature films, including Hart’s War, Primal Fear, Apollo 13, American Graffiti, Hollywoodland, Fracture and Frost/Nixon.
Episode 4: Joe Spano ’67
“In this time of pandemic and social change, how can we exercise the same tools that we use in the theater? Well, here’s my take.” —Joe Spano ’67. Join host Joe Spano ’67 as he reflects on the meaning and search for identity in our fourth episode of our “Who Are We Now?” series.
Episode 3: Sara East ’22, Sydney Reid ’22, Camryn Rogers ’22, and Joe Spano ’67
With most sporting events and hands-on science laboratory classes on hold, join members of the Cal Women’s Track and Field team as they discuss how they navigate the in-person and virtual on campus scholar-athlete experiences during the pandemic in our third episode of our “Who Are We Now?” series.



Episode 2: Marcel Dancy ’22, Evan Rambo ’19, and Joe Spano ’67
Team loyalty and academic discipline led these two scholar-athletes to pursue entrepreneurship and philanthropy. Join host Joe Spano ’67, Evan Rambo ’19, and Marcel Dancy ’22 for an intimate conversation about community leadership, resilience, and adapting to constant change in the second episode of our “Who Are We Now?” series.


Episode 1: “Who Are We Now?” with Elijah Hicks ’20, Jordan Veasy ’18, Isabella Marten ’18, and Joe Spano ’67
In our first “Who Are We Now?” conversation, current and former Cal student-athletes Elijah Hicks ’20, Isabella Marten ’18, and Jordan Veasy ’19 join host Joe Spano ’67 to discuss how COVID-19 and recent Black Lives Matter demonstrations have impacted their lives and identities. Watch this discussion now and stay tuned as we continue to engage alumni and students in these important conversations.
Panelists



Author and Creator of “Who Are We Now?”
