Ruha Benjamin, the Alexander Stewart 1886 Professor of African American Studies at Princeton University and the 2023 Case Western Reserve University Elaine G. Hadden Distinguished Author, will be the featured speaker at fall convocation, Thursday, Sept. 7, at 4:45 p.m.
Beginning this year, fall convocation will take place in the historic Silver Hall in the Milton and Tamar Maltz Performing Arts Center; it will be presented in partnership with the university’s popular Think Forum lecture series.
Benjamin’s book, Race After Technology: Abolitionist Tools for the New Jim Code, was selected as the 2023–24 common reading selection for first-year students. Benjamin’s work investigates the social dimensions of science, medicine, and technology with a focus on the relationship between innovation and inequity, health and justice, and knowledge and power.
Benjamin has received numerous awards and honors including the Marguerite Casey Foundation Freedom Scholar Award and the President’s Award for Distinguished Teaching at Princeton. Her most recent book, Viral Justice: How We Grow the World We Want, winner of the 2023 Stowe Prize, was born out of the twin plagues of COVID-19 and police violence. The book offers a practical and principled approach to transforming our communities and helping us build a more just and joyful world.
“Dr. Benjamin’s work is timely and thought-provoking. She encourages us to examine more closely the data and sources of information that influence our perspectives and then to take action in ways that promote inclusion and social justice for all,” said President Eric W. Kaler. “We look forward to welcoming Dr. Benjamin to campus and to our new home for convocation, the Maltz Performing Arts Center.”
All first-year students are encouraged to attend fall convocation. The event is free and open to the public, but space is limited. Reserve your seat by registering online.