Conn to host social justice conference

Furthering its commitment to social justice and anti-racist education, Connecticut College will host Elevate: The Inaugural Social Justice Conference, Jan. 25-26.

Elevate will bring together Connecticut College students, staff, faculty, and alumni, along with residents of the New London region, to celebrate cultural diversity. The conference is intentionally designed as a space of empowerment for people who have felt marginalized, erased, or silenced because of their social identities or personal backgrounds. 

Featured speakers include author, educator and interfaith leader Eboo Patel, author and community organizer Charlene Carruthers, filmmaker Shalini Kantayya, and neurodiverse writer and activist Jonathan Mooney. 

“Elevate was built on the principle of full participation––the idea that every member of the community will have opportunities to thrive, reach their fullest potential, and contribute to the thriving of others,” said John McKnight, Dean of Institutional Equity and Inclusion. 

“But in order for everyone to thrive, we acknowledge that we must continually work to create the conditions for all members of our community to feel respected, connected, and empowered.” 

The two-day conference will also showcase research presentations, film screenings, performances and interactive workshops. Participants will be able to expand their cultural knowledge, develop stronger personal awareness, and deepen their commitment to the pursuit of social justice within the Conn community and beyond.

For more details on the Elevate Social Justice conference, go to: elevate.conncoll.edu/