Engage

Join the ENGAGE team on 7/9 for a special virtual discussion featuring activists and those personally impacted by the criminal justice system, about the legislative fight to dismantle policies that help to disproportionately incarcerate and criminalize our Black and Brown communities.

With our privilege, resources, and knowledge - what can we do as a school to address this issue? All discussions and ideas are welcome - whether it be proposing new field placements that focus on criminal justice reform, integrating more course content on the history and creation of policing and it’s direct link to slavery, discussing how we are being affected by the trauma of violence against our communities, or discussing ideas for other ways that the school can participate in this moment in history and be a part of the story advocating for change.

Join the ENGAGE team for a discussion featuring prominent water justice activists Monica Lewis Patrick and Bryce Detroit to discuss their work, how water injustice is tied to historic and systemic discrimination, and how lack of access to clean, safe water has exacerbated our current public health crises.

Monica Lewis Patrick is Chief Executive Officer of We the People Detroit and a long-time water justice advocate.

Bryce Detroit is CEO and Founder of Detroit Recordings LLC and a long-time water justice advocate.

This is a monumental year in our political history, with the upcoming election in November having the power to address various human and civil rights issues. Join us for a special virtual discussion on the power of your vote, how voting can combat supremacy and hate, the logistics of voting during a pandemic, and voter suppression. This session will feature special guests including Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, Inclusion, Equity and Social Responsibility Partner at Honigman LLP and member of the Detroit NAACP, Attorney Khalilah Spencer.

With our power, resources, and knowledge - what can we do to make sure everyone’s voice is heard when practicing the right to vote? How can we become more empowered and informed about voting, and actively join the fight against voter suppression? This session will focus on both School of Social Work and university-wide voter engagement initiatives such as Get Out The Vote (GOTV) efforts, and include student discussion on how we can become more engaged in the upcoming election.

Please join us for a discussion hosted by Trina Shanks and the ENGAGE team to learn more about ENGAGE and how we as a School can uplift and expand research, projects, and other work in communities.

Food deserts have been purposefully and strategically created, aided by historic redlining and other discriminatory policies and practices that have segregated our Black and Brown communities to impoverished urban areas. These communities lack access to grocery stores and other vendors that provide wholesome, nutritional food, while liquor stores and fast food restaurants are prevalent. Join us in a special virtual discussion featuring prominent Detroit food justice activists and organizers who have taken food sovereignty and environmental empowerment into their own hands.

It is essential to connect our critical analysis of social justice issues to multi-level collective action for systemic and institutional change. On September 19, a special joint-session was held in partnership with CASC to explore how racial and socioeconomic inequity in Washtenaw County is connected to historic and ongoing discriminatory policies and practices.

From the school to prison pipeline, Black children - and black boys in particular - are punished more harshly, expelled more often, and isolated more frequently than their peers for similar behavior as White students. This affects academic outcomes and achievement, socioeconomic mobility, and shapes one’s sense of self. When teachers, administrators and peers are all affected and shaped by implicit bias because they live in a racist society, how do we expect our institutions to function impartially and fairly?

Youth have the ability to lead and galvanize social and political movements for change. Both through their understanding of new powerful means of communicating and their power to connect and drive their peers, youth are especially positioned to be great drivers for equity. Join us for a special joint discussion with CASC featuring local youth leaders and change-makers as they discuss the impact of their work and the movements they are leading.