Race and Justice Imperative

Forty-four years after the recognition of Black History Month, Black Americans still experience systemic racism, injustice, and stereotyping. Understanding the foundations of systemic racism and implicit bias and acknowledging their effects on Black Americans and communities of color is the first step toward change.

During Black History Month, join The Hill for a series of conversations with government, civil rights and social justice leaders to understand race and racism, the conditions that perpetuate inequality, and why this moment could serve as a catalyst to help us unite and build a better nation.

Thursday, February 25, 2021

Session One: 11:30 AM-12:30 PM ET

Session Two: 1:30-3:00 PM ET

Full schedule available here.

Speakers:

• Lonnie Bunch III, Secretary, Smithsonian Institution; former Founding Dir., Nat. Museum of African American History and Culture
• Melvin Carter, Mayor, St. Paul, MN
• Michael Eric Dyson, Professor, Sociology, Georgetown University; Distinguished Professor, Vanderbilt University
• Steven Garza, Student, University of Texas; as featured in the film Boys State
• D’Atra Jackson, Executive Director, Black Youth Project 100
• Ella Jones, Mayor, Ferguson, MO
• Van Jones, CNN Host; Founder, Dream Corps
• Martin Luther King III, Civil Rights Activist, Global Humanitarian
• Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA), Co-Chair, Policy and Steering Committee
• Judy Lubin, PhD, MPH,  Founder & President, Center for Urban and Racial Equity
• Marc Morial, President & CEO, Urban League
• Steven Reed, Mayor, Montgomery, AL
• Dr. Akil Ross, Education Consultant, HeartEd; former Nat. High School Principal of the Year, 2018 
• Esmerelda Simmons, Founder, Center for Law & Social Justice, Medgar Evers College; former First Dep. Commissioner for Human Rights, New York State
• Lateefah Simon, President, Akonadi Foundation
• Michael Smith, Director, Youth Opportunity Programs; Exec. Dir., My Brother’s Keeper Alliance, The Obama Foundation
• Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA), Chair, House Financial Services Committee

Sponsor Perspective:

• Uzair Qadeer, Chief Diversity Officer at Alexion Pharmaceuticals
• Tamar Thompson, VP, U.S. Government Affairs and Policy, Alexion Pharmaceuticals

Moderators: 

• Steve Clemons, Editor-at-Large, The Hill
• Marty Johnson, Politics Reporter, The Hill

SPONSORED CONTENT MESSAGE

Alexion is a global biopharmaceutical company focused on serving patients and families affected by rare diseases and devastating conditions through the discovery, development and commercialization of life-changing medicines. A leader in rare diseases for more than 25 years, Alexion focuses its research efforts on novel molecules and targets in the complement cascade and its development efforts on hematology, nephrology, neurology, metabolic disorders, cardiology, ophthalmology and acute care. Visit Alexion.com for more information.