Humanity’s Debt to Africa

On Sunday, May 17, 2026, at 3:00 PM PDT/6:00 PM EDT, the Freethought Society and the Humanist Society of Santa Barbara will host professor of anthropology David Orenstein, presenting “Humanity’s Debt to Africa:Evolution, Humanism, and the Legacy of 8 Million Years of African Descent.”

Orenstein will take the audience on a journey through the evolutionary process using a powerful slideshow filled withscientific facts, an overview of the scientists who confirmed those facts, and information that viewers will be able toconvey easily should social conversations demand a defense of evolution. The link to view this event is:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88193881833

About our speaker:
Dr. David I. Orenstein is Department Chairperson and a tenured full professor of anthropology at Medgar Evers College of the City University of New York. He has been affiliated with the American Humanist Association (AHA) for more than a decade and now serves on its Board of Directors. Dr. Orenstein serves on the Smithsonian Institute, Hall of Human Origins Broader Social Impacts Committee Board. He has taught human evolution, primatology, science history, and science advocacy. He is also the author of three books. In addition, Dr. Orenstein served as the AHA representative to the United Nations for five years, and is an ordained Humanist Clergy. He is a happy freethinker who believes life is best lived with reason and joy for the human condition.
This event is free and open to the public.