Social Justice Institute Intergenerational Think Tank
Coalition Building: We are Better & Stronger Together
October 24-26, 2024
Case Western Reserve University
Cleveland, Ohio
The Social Justice Institute at Case Western Reserve University hosted its Biennial Intergenerational Think Tank from October 24 - 26, 2024. Our theme was "Coalition Building: We Are Better and Stronger Together." The convening began on Thursday, October 24th with a short film screening of Black Beauty and panel discussion. Then, we moved to Rid-All Green Partnership on Friday, October 25th for an All-Community Reception. We concluded on Saturday, October 26th in conversation with local and national thought-leaders as we explore the current state of the struggle. Marc Lamont Hill, our keynote speaker, and panelists poignantly provided insights on a myriad of topics including human rights, community organizing, and education. The discussions examined the nexus between power, race, class, political repression, and war through multiple lenses.
Panel conversations with national and local social justice thought leaders included:
Charisse Burden-Stelly, Nicole M. Crawford, Noel Cummings, Marcus Anthony Hunter, Gregory C. Hutchings Jr., Darrell D. Jackson, Al Johns, Keith LaMar, Amari McGee, Pete Moore, Shereen Naser, Erika K. Wilson & more.
Schedule of Events
Thursday, October 24th Screening of Black Beauty and Panel Discussion 5:30 - 7:00 pm
CWRU School of Law (11075 East Blvd, Cleveland, OH 44106)
5:30 pm Welcome
5:45 pm Film Screening of Black Beauty
Directed by and featuring activist Elle Moxley, Black Beauty is a visual diary that traces Elle’s story in her own words—as she reconnects with loved ones from the past, recalls her coming of age experience as a woman from the Midwest, and reflects on her journey as a movement leader and founding strategic partner of the global movement Black Lives Matter.
6:15 pm Moderated Panel Discussion and Q & A
Moderator: Avery Ware, Director of the CWRU LGBT Center
Panelists: Noel Cummings, Al Johns, and Amari McGee
Friday, October 25th, All-Community Reception, 6:00 - 9:00 pm
Rid-All Green Partnership (8129 Otter Dr, Cleveland, Ohio 44104)
Saturday, October 26th, Panel Discussions and Keynote Address, 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
2nd Floor Ballroom, Tinkham Veale University Center (TVUC) (11038 Bellflower Rd, Cleveland, OH 44106)
9:00 am Welcome and Opening Remarks
Ayesha Bell Hardaway, Director, Social Justice Institute
9:15 am Panel Discussion: "Lest We Forget: We Remember What We Cannot See"
Moderator: Cynthia Connolly,
Panelists: Nicole M. Crawford & Darrell D. Jackson, Keith LaMar and Pete Moore
10:30 am Spoken Word: “E(Race)Sure”
Vince Robinson, Multi-Disciplinary Artist
10:45 am Panel Discussion: "Seventy Years Later: What Brown Cannot Do"
Moderator: Habeebah Grimes
Panelists: Gregory C. Hutchings Jr., Amari McGee and Erika K. Wilson
12:30 pm Luncheon Keynote Address by Marc Lamont Hill
2:00 pm Spoken Word Poetry
Raja Belle Freeman, Poet and Teaching Artist
2:15 pm Panel Discussion: "The Beautiful Struggle"
Moderator: Ayesha Bell Hardaway
Panelists: Charisse Burden-Stelly, Marcus Anthony Hunter, Shereen Naser and Robin Beth Schaer