Skip to main site navigation Skip to main content

Virtual Tour | Visit Campus | Contact Us | Apply Now

Utica University Logo
  • Academics
    • Programs
    • Online Programs
      • Online Business Programs
    • Honors Program
    • Graduate Study
    • International Ed & Study Abroad
      • Study Abroad
    • Exceptional Faculty
    • Student Support and Success
    • Schedules, Catalogs, and Resources
    • Institutes and Centers
    • Utica University at Florida
      • Tuition and Fees: ABSN Program
      • Accepted Students
    • Current Offerings
    • General Education
      • Planning Sheet
      • Themed Pathways
    • Opportunity Programs
  • Tuition and Financial Aid
    • Understanding Financial Aid
      • Value
      • Excelsior, Explained
      • University Scholarships
      • Annual Awards
    • Applying For Financial Aid
    • Tuition and Fees
      • Utica Campus Programs
      • Online Programs
      • ABSN Program
    • Net Price Calculator
    • Pioneer Passport
  • Admissions
    • First-Year Admissions
    • Transfer Admissions
      • Articulation Agreements
    • Graduate Admissions
      • Graduate Inquiry Form
    • International Applicants
      • International Inquiry Form
      • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Visit
      • Utica University Campus
      • Virtual Tour
      • Why Not Fly?
    • Apply Now
    • Contact Us
    • Accepted Student Info
    • High School Counselors
    • High School Bridge Program
  • Community
    • Living on Campus
      • Res Life & Student Living
      • Student Involvement & Leadership
    • Wilcox Center
    • The Utica Area
      • Hotels and Restaurants in the Utica Area
    • Utica Stories
    • About Utica
  • Athletics
    • Intercollegiate Athletics
    • Esports
  • News & Events
  • Alumni
  • Giving
  • Apply Now
  • Directory
  • About
  • Library
  • Logins
Utica University

Award-winning author discusses memoir, themes of inequity in virtual presentation

  1. Utica Community
  2. Utica Stories
  3. Award-winning author discusses memoir, themes of inequity in virtual presentation
Ashley C. Ford

Ford will read an excerpt from her memoir, followed by a fireside chat–style facilitated conversation and public Q&A with the audience where she will speak to questions of economic, social, and criminal justice, especially as relates to family life and the American prison system.

Community members are invited to join the Utica Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Community Partnership for a virtual presentation with acclaimed author Ashley C. Ford.

Ford is The New York Times best-selling author of the memoir Somebody’s Daughter, which chronicles her experience growing up as a poor Black girl in Indiana while navigating and overcoming isolating and complex issues such as familial incarceration, unwanted sexualization, and abusive relationships in order to “find the threads between who she is and what she was born into, and the complicated familial love that often binds them.”

Ford is also the former host of The Chronicles of Now podcast and co-host of the HBO companion podcast Lovecraft Country Radio. She has written or guest-edited for ELLE Magazine, Slate, Teen Vogue, New York Magazine, The New York Times, Domino, Cup of Jo, and various other web and print publications.

Various themes in Somebody’s Daughter are tragically relatable experiences in our own neighborhoods in the Mohawk Valley. Ford will read an excerpt from her memoir, followed by a fireside chat–style facilitated conversation and public Q&A with the audience where she will speak to questions of economic, social, and criminal justice, especially as relates to family life and the American prison system.

The virtual event will take place at 7 p.m. on Thursday, February 10 via Zoom. Interested participants can learn more and register for the event at utica.edu/AshleyFord. The event is free and open to the public.

The session marks the inaugural event for the Utica DEI Community Partnership. Established in September 2021, the partnership brings together area leaders passionate about uplifting the most silenced and marginalized among the community. It aims to lead from a proactive stance against the issues catalyzing racial and social unrest in its respective communities and society at large. By partnering together, the group has been able to support its members and look ahead to facilitate positive activities that promote awareness and unity.

Current members include representatives from the Greater Utica Chamber of Commerce; the Mohawk Valley Community Action Agency, Inc.; Mohawk Valley Community College; SUNY Polytechnic Institute; and Utica College.

Those interested in joining or learning more about the partnership can email diversity@utica.edu

More Stories

Deborah Pollack, with long brown hair, pink top and gray sweater, smiles at camera.
Faculty

Dr. Deborah Pollack Completes Prestigious Leadership Program

Deborah Pollack, associate professor of psychology, earlier this month completed the American Psychological Association’s Leadership Institute for Women in Psychology...
Physics Minor Sydney Kinsella performs magic tricks to demonstrate physics concepts to children at the New Hartford Public Library on November 8, 2025.
Student

Physics students wow kids at New Hartford Public Library

Kids found more than books at the New Hartford Public Library, as they were greeted by members of Utica University’s...
2025 Clark Award presentation
Faculty

Dr. Unnati Shah Awarded Prestigious Clark Award

The award is given annually to a faculty member who exemplifies the highest traditions of scholarship. Recipients are nominated by...
All Stories

I would like to see logins and resources for:

For a general list of frequently used logins, you can also visit our logins page.

Utica University Logo
FacebookTwitterInstagramYouTube
  • Academics
  • Tuition and Financial Aid
  • Admissions
  • Community
  • Athletics
1600 Burrstone Road, Utica, NY 13502
Map & Directions
(315) 792-3006
Contact Us
  • Institutional Effectiveness
  • Bookstore
  • Disability Learning Support
  • Student Right to Know
2025-2026 College of Distinction2025-2026 Private College of Distinction2025-2026 Business College of Distinction2025-2026 Education College of Distinction2025-2026 Nursing College of Distinction2025-2026 Career Development College of Distinction2025-2026 Equity & Inclusion College of Distinction2023-2024 Military Friendly (Silver)