The Social Justice in Action Leadership Summit is upon us once again. The fifth annual summit is an all day symposium that will be held on Saturday, Feb. 20 in Blackwell Hall. Its mission is to help motivate and encourage students to be citizen leaders who advocate for social justice and equality on campus and throughout their perspective communities.
The summit has a different theme every year; last year’s theme was focused on social justice and the media. This year’s theme is “Meeting at the Crossroads: Intersectionality and the Politic of Identity”, which will focus on gender and race identity.
The summit will feature two keynote speakers, Robin Ochs and Charlene Carruthers. Ochs, who will be the opening keynote speaker, is an educator, speaker and award-winning activist who has been published in numerous women’s studies, multicultural and LGBT anthologies. Carruthers is a community organizer, educator, writer and speaker with over 10 years of experience with racial justice, feminist and youth leadership development movement work. In addition to the keynote speakers, students from the Student Diversity Inclusion Council and several faculty and staff members will be presenting various breakout sessions where participants can choose from different workshops through out the day.
The event is open to the public, as the committee has invited other Virginia schools likesuch as Hampden-Sydney College, as well as member of the community. Longwood students can attend for free, others can attend for the price of $25. All participants will be provided continental breakfast and lunch and they will also receive a t-shirt.
Regarding the summit, Susan Sullivan, Director of the University Center and Student Activities said, “Every year, I think it’s gotten better and better. I think the content has gotten better, the keynote speakers every year…Our goal is that they (students) can leave there (the summit) to make an impact on their communities…whether it’s here in Farmville, here at Longwood or back home.”
Although there is no concrete deadline, Sullivan requests that people sign up by Tuesday, Feb. 16.
If you would like to learn more about the summit or register for it, you can visit http://socialjusticesummit.longwood.edu.