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2011 SU Civil Rights Symposium to commemorate former student activists, continues today
- 11/1/2011 -
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Elsie L. Scott, president and chief executive officer of the
Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, will be keynote speaker at the 2011 Southern University Civil
Rights Commemoration Symposium, November 11, 2011 at the
Southern University Law Center.
An exhibit opening, book-signings, and reception will kicked off the two-day event on Wednesday, November 9, at the Southern University Museum of Art. The exhibit titled, "The World Will Move: Civil Rights and Public Transportation in Louisiana, 1860s- 1950s" is being sponsored by the Louisiana State Museum.
During the late 1950s through the early 1970s, students, faculty, and administrators on the campuses of Southern University played an integral role in the social and political gains made during the Civil Rights Movement. Anniversary dates of many of their strategic efforts, such as sit-ins, Freedom Rides, and lawsuits, provide the ideal opportunity to highlight these individuals and their historic involvement in the planned commemoration.
In addition to the keynote address, the symposium will include plenary sessions, panel discussions, documentary screening, and other presentations to commemorate the progress made during this period. Recipients of the 2011 Change Agent Awards and winners of the 2011 SULC Legal Writing Competition held in association with the symposium will be made during the Friday luncheon program. The Joe Stewart WKKF Trustee Fund, Battle Creek Community Foundation, is a major sponsor of this event.
Scott, a native of Louisiana and graduate of Southern University, Baton Rouge, will speak at noon Friday, November 11, in the Royal Cotillion Ballroom of the SU Smith-Brown Memorial Student Union. Since February of 2007, she has advised mayors, community groups, and police and other officials on matters involving crime and police and the black community, women's issues, hate violence, management and training, and race and poverty. She has overseen the successful launch of several CBCF projects intended to broaden and elevate the influence of African Americans in the political, legislative, and public policy arenas, as well as their overall condition and well being.
Dennis, a former organizer for the Congress for Racial Equality (CORE) and a former co-director of the Council of Federated Organizations (COFO), spoke on Thursday, November 10, in the Royal Cotillion Ballroom. He would have been with the three civil rights workers, Andrew Goodman, Michael Schwerner, and James Chaney, who were murdered in Mississippi, if he had not been home recuperating from bronchitis. He currently works for the Algebra Project, which provides teacher training to help inner city and rural students achieve mathematics literacy. Dennis says education is the next civil rights frontier.
Announcement of Change Agent Award Recipients, click here.
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