Normalize Equality: Creating Change Through Modern-Day Activism
Saturday, March 13, 2021, in the D’Angelo Center (DAC) Ballroom
What is the Social Justice Conference (SJC)?
St. John’s University, through the Office of Multicultural Affairs and with support of invested departments, faculty, staff, and students, is excited to host its inaugural, day-long, student activist conference focusing on social and global justice issues. This conference is free and open to all students attending high school (juniors and seniors only) and college (two- and four-year institutions).
The 2020 theme of the student conference is, “Normalize Equality: Creating Change through Modern-Day Activism.” This year’s conference focuses on affirming and strengthening the experiences of student activists, highlighting social justice education, community engagement strategies, intercultural competency, skill development, individual responsibility and agency, and increasing transformational activism in the schools, classrooms, and campuses of attendees.
Seats are limited.
Adult chaperones are welcome and are free if accompanying high school and college minors.
Why Attend?
Participants have an opportunity to choose individual workshops led by St. John’s students, attend large group experiences led by an interactive panel and keynote, and create a social action plan. Conference attendees receive free breakfast, lunch, snacks, and conference swag items.
Students will learn about different social and global justice issues from their peers and guest presenters throughout the day. This conference aims to inform, ignite, and create positive activism on and beyond individual classrooms and campuses.
Schedule-at-a-Glance
8:30-10 a.m.: Registration Check-In (DAC Foyer)
9:45 a.m.: Welcome and Intro of Panel (DAC 416)
10-10:50 a.m.: Social Activist Panel w/_
11:05-11:50 a.m.: Concurrent Workshops | Session #1
Noon-1:10 p.m.: Lunch/Keynote
1:15 -2 p.m.: Concurrent Workshops | Session #2
2:10-2:50 p.m.: Social Justice Community Organizers Booth Walk-Through / Snack Break
3-4:20 p.m.: Action Planning by Org Type (HS, Coll., etc.) |
3 p.m.: Group Formation + Dialogue/Brainstorming
3:20 p.m.: Write Campus Action Plans
3:45 p.m.: Post on Action Plans
3:50 p.m.: Gallery Walk to Review Action Plans
4:10 p.m.: Large Group Processing and Open Mic
4:40 -5 p.m. – Raffle Closing
Workshop Presenters and Keynote Speaker
Jamila J. Lyiscott, Ph.D., Keynote Speaker
Dr. Lyiscott is a social justice education scholar, nationally renowned speaker, spoken word artist, and educational consultant. She was recently appointed as an Assistant Professor of Social Justice Education at the University of Massachusetts Amherst and a Senior Research Fellow of Teachers College, Columbia University’s Institute for Urban and Minority Education.
Across these spaces, Dr. Lyiscott’s work focuses on racial justice, community engagement, and youth activism in education through the lens of what she has termed, “Vision-Driven Justice.” She has been invited to more than 100 institutions throughout the nation where she works with youth, educators, and people across disciplines to inspire vision and action.
Dr. Lyiscott is also the founder and codirector of the Cyphers for Justice youth, research, and advocacy program, apprenticing New York City high school youth, incarcerated youth, and educators as critical social researchers through hip-hop, spoken word, and digital literacy.
Jamila J. Lyiscott, Ph.DConference Planning Committees
- Haraya
- LASO
- MSA
- JSA
- Asian Alliance
- Caribbean Students Association
- Greek Life
- NAACP
- African Student Association
- SGI Equity Board
- Spectrum
- Dale (SI)
- MCSO (SI)
- Black Student Union (SI)
- Spectrum (SI)
- DPE (SI/Q)
- Common Ground (SI/Q)
- Project Aim (Q)
- Affinity Group (SI/Q)
This committee is comprised of faculty, staff, and departmental representation.
- Carlene Bennett, Ozanam Scholars Program
- Jeremy V. Cruz, Assistant Professor, Department of Theology and Religious Studies
- Asnath Gedeon, Ronald E. McNair Scholars Program and CSTEP Program
- Basilio G. Monteiro, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Department of Mass Communication
- Julia L. Betancourt, Student Government, Inc. Equity Committee
Additional Information
St. John's University is readily accessible by car, bus, subway, or air. Located between JFK and LaGuardia Airports, the campus is just off the Grand Central Parkway, which connects Nassau and Suffolk Counties to Queens, Manhattan, and upstate New York.
Interested in becoming a sponsor or donating a raffle item? Fill out our Sponsorship Form.
Check back for a list of schools who will be attending this year's conference!