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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? This virtual discussion focuses on the permeation of police officers in our public

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. This discussion features youth panelists that include CASC alumni and longtime youth organizer of 482forward, Kayla Tate; 482Forward Director of Youth

From the fight for a fair wage, to business closures during a pandemic, to a historic lack of job opportunities for specifically Black individuals in Detroit - race-based economic and social suppression was systemically and strategically created in Detroit. This special virtual discussion focuses on the work of Detroit activists and leaders who have dedicated their lives to helping create a more economically just and mobile city.

Special guests include the Michigan Executive Director of Mother Justice, Eboni Taylor; Executive Director of the Economic Justice Alliance of Michigan (EJAM), DeWayne

Homelessness and housing insecurity is an epidemic in our country, especially among Black and other communities of color. During a pandemic, these individuals end up being our most vulnerable. Linked to so many other systems of oppression, homelessness, and housing insecurity is something as social workers that we are obligated to understand. Join us for this special virtual discussion featuring panelists who work on the frontline of Detroit’s housing insecurity to discuss how this issue has been exacerbated during the pandemic. Featured panelists include Lead Mobility Coach of Creating

Immigrants have made vast contributions to this state - economically, politically, and socially. The fabric of American society was created by the contributions of a diverse range of immigrants. As a nation, however, we continue to suppress and demonize immigrants. This session explores the untold story of immigrants in Michigan, from undocumented and documented populations to immigration issues and struggles that we, as social workers, are obligated to be knowledgeable about.

Special guests include Executive Director of the Office of Global Michigan; Executive Director of the International

Storytelling, or listening to the stories of others and sharing your own stories, builds the foundation of human interaction. Telling others how we got here and why we care about an issue builds connection, allows us to share our values, and create meaning. The art of public narrative is used in all aspects of social work practice - from helping our clients rewrite the stories they tell themselves, to helping communities and groups galvanize social change, to helping policymakers and politicians tell a “story of self” while creating a “story of us.” Join us for a special discussion featuring

A students’ identity and self-concept is largely shaped by representations of their community in school curriculum, the media, and broader society. But when do Black, Indigenous, and other People Of Color (BIPOC) get a chance to share their own history? Are the contributions, and histories of oppression, of BIPOC communities fairly represented in our K-12 curriculum? How does the erasure of BIPOC history in K-12 curriculum affect learning outcomes and self-concept of BIPOC students? And others?

Join us to discuss the whitewashed history we teach in our K-12 curriculum, from the arts and music

Some of the most influential and impactful coalitions represent voices from diverse communities. Faith-based activists can be powerful in creating change, especially when they join forces with other faith-based groups.

Join us for a special session featuring local religious leaders and social justice activists who are committed to working with other religious groups to create meaningful community change. Speakers include Rabbi Alana Alpert of Detroit Jews for Justice, longtime interfaith social justice organizer and Former Executive Director of the Michigan Muslim Community Council and current

Proposal P attempted to address numerous social inequities in the City of Detroit that would impact the quality of life for its residents, giving them a greater voice in the city’s administration. In the August 2021 elections, however, Proposal P did not pass. What is proposal P? And how would it have impacted the city? Who was and is involved in the continued fight for the proposal, and the issues that surround it? Come and listen to Detroit changemakers and social justice advocates involved in this movement share their thoughts and experience, and ideas for continued civic change in Detroit