SUMMARY

Youth education activists, representing nearly twenty organizations from across the country, joined forces with leading writers and scholars on Saturday, Feb. 13, 2021 for a virtual summit highlighting the challenges and importance of racial equity in the nation’s public schools.

Co-hosted by Teens Take Charge and The Civil Rights Project at UCLA, “Activists x Academics” featured youth working to create more integrated, equitable, restorative, affirming school systems that give students real power in decision making.

The summit served to remind attendees that there is a bigger team fighting for the same end goal. New York Times writer and 1619 Project founder, Nikole Hannah-Jones, was one of a dozen writers and scholars who moderated panels or delivered short talks throughout the day. Gary Orfield, co-director of The Civil Rights Project, opened the summit with a keynote address revealing new data on school segregation. Sherrilyn Ifill, President and Director-Counsel of the NAACP Legal Defense and Education Fund, delivered a closing charge.

At a time of unprecedented disconnect and uncertainty, teen activists continued to organize for a more equitable future.

Youth presenters included representatives from activist groups across the nation, including Youth on Board (Boston), Tulsa Changemakers, Youth Justice Project (Durham), Rosedale Freedom Project (Mississippi), and many more. In addition to Hannah-Jones, Ifill, and Orfield, adult speakers included Cornell professor Noliwe Rooks, activist Jo Ann Allen Boyce of the “Clinton 12,” San Antonio school district innovation officer Mohammed Choudhury and more.

The summit took place from 11:00am to 5:30pm EST. All sessions, except for the Lunch Talks, were “webinar style” with options to communicate with panelists and ask questions through the chat function. Attendees had the option to choose from several Lunch Talks, all interactive.

Check out the official webpage for the event program, bios of all presenters, and various videos and much more!