A Conversation on Race and Justice in America

Fourth annual summit for social consciousness

Andrews University invites you to attend its fourth annual Summit on Social Consciousness from Wednesday, April 8, through Saturday, April 11. This year’s symposium will focus on the theme of “A Conversation on Race and Justice in America.” The objective will be to inform the community of the injustices and racial prejudices still alive in our nation, 51 years after the civil rights movement, and also provide a means for students and community leaders to engage in social action regardless of background. All events are free and open to the public.

Please note the following schedule highlights:

Wednesday, April 8
Panel Discussion
7 p.m., Seminary Chapel

Thursday, April 9
Documentary Screening of “The New Jim Crow”
7 p.m., Seminary Chapel

Friday, April 10
University Vespers: Race, Justice and Adventism
7 p.m., Pioneer Memorial Church

Saturday, April 11
Keynote Address: Paul Buckley
4 p.m., Seminary Chapel

The keynote presentation will be followed by breakout sessions at 6 p.m. The breakouts are designed to provide an informal setting to let everyone join the conversation on these important issues. These sessions will explore topics related to race and justice in the U.S., including health outcomes, white privilege, minority youth issues and more.

The Summit on Social Consciousness began in 2012 to bring awareness of current social issues to the graduate students of Andrews University.

Michelle Alexander, associate professor of law at Ohio State University and civil rights advocate, author of “The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness,” says, “The fate of millions of people—indeed the future of the black community itself—may depend on the willingness of those who care about racial justice to reexamine their basic assumptions of the role of the criminal justice system in our society” (Alexander, 2009). Regardless of background, issues related to race and injustice have a wide societal impact and should be a concern to members of any community.

The Summit on Social Consciousness is designed to bring both awareness and public education to various subjects through the knowledge of different speakers and the opportunity to serve the surrounding community.

“The hope is,” said Lhorraine London Polite, project manager and assistant to the dean in the School of Graduate Studies & Research, “that each year students assume the responsibility as the rightful advocates of those that have no voice. Andrews University seeks to empower students to 'Change the World'" and the summit has become our way to aid the mission as well as to give students the tools they need to succeed.”

by Samuel Fry and Jenna Neil, student writers for Integrated Marketing & Communication