Press Release/PSA: Friday Forum Series Connects Community To Racial Justice Activism

Press Release/PSA
For Immediate Release
January 12, 2016

For media inquiries, contact:
Megan Flowers, University YMCA Communications Director
[megan@universityymca.org; 217-337-1500]

BREAKING DOWN RACISM

Friday Forum series organizes community discussions with racial justice activists, provides opportunities for action 

In response to the building public awareness of racial injustices in the United States with the gaining momentum of nation-wide grassroots movements to combat racism, the Friday Forum committee of the University YMCA has organized a year-long discussion with opportunities for action with this year’s Friday Forum program theme, “Breaking Down Racism.” The Spring 2016 series builds on the Fall 2015 series by highlighting specific tools, campaigns, and changes necessary to combat racism and break down the institutional barriers to equality. Throughout the series, the audience will be offered opportunities to learn how to fight back against inequalities.

The YMCA of the University of Illinois is pleased to announce the full line up of the Spring 2016 Friday Forum lecture series, Breaking Down Racism: Fighting Racial Injustice in the U.S. The series will be headlined by A Conversation with Opal Tometi, one of the original founders of the Black Lives Matter movement on Friday February 19. Recognized as a 'New Civil Rights Leader For The 21st Century' by the LA Times, Opal Tometi introduced the world to the Twitter hashtag and expanding network, #BlackLivesMatter, along with Alicia Garza and Patrisse Cullors. For the full list of series speakers please visit, universityymca.org/friday_forum.

When & Where: All lectures unless otherwise noted are on Fridays at 12:00pm in Latzer Hall of the University YMCA, 1001 S. Wright Street, Champaign, IL 61820. Please note that on February 19, A Conversation with Opal Tometi, will take place at Allen Hall Main Lounge, 1005 W Gregory Drive, Urbana, IL. The event will begin at 12:00pm.

Additionally, the University YMCA invites the public to learn more about how communities are taking a stand. Please mark your calendars for Thursday, January 28; Art @ the Y hosts the exhibition opening of the “Unforgotten: Humanizing the Tragic Consequences of Gun Violence." On view in the Y’s Murphy Gallery through February 2016. For more information, please visit: universityymca.org/art.

The Spring 2016 Friday Forum lecture series sponsors include: Anne Robin, Atmospheric Science, Black Lives Matter: Champaign-Urbana, Bruce Nesbitt African American Cultural Center, Center for African Studies, a National Resource Center under the U.S. Department of Education's Title VI Program, Central Black Student Union, Channing Murray Foundation, The Chapel of St. John the Divine Episcopal Church, College of Fine and Applied Arts, Counseling Center, C-U AAUW, Department of Recreation, Sport, and Tourism, Diversity and Social Justice Education, First Mennonite Church, First Presbyterian Church of Monticello, Friedman Law Group, LTD, Human Development and Family Studies, League of Women Voters of Champaign County, LGBT Resource Center, McKinley Presbyterian Church and Foundation, New Covenant Fellowship, Prairie Research Institute, The School of Social Work, Social Action Committee of the Unitarian-Universalist Church of Urbana-Champaign, University of Illinois Speech and Hearing Science Department, UC Books to Prisoners, Urbana-Champaign Friends Meeting, Wesley United Methodist Church, Wesley Foundation at the University of Illinois, YWCA of the University of Illinois. Funded by SORF.

Friday Forum is a weekly lecture series held during the fall and spring semesters that strives to raise awareness about national and international trends and events. Friday Forum has been continuously running for over 80 years at the University YMCA, continually adapting to the times while remaining committed to providing talks that address topics of relevance and urgency in our society.

Additional Information: The views expressed by the speakers do not necessarily reflect the views of the University YMCA, co-sponsors, or the Friday Forum committee. A sign language interpreter is available with a 72 hours notice (contact Carol Nunn at 217-337-1500). All forums are radio broadcast at 6:00 p.m. on WEFT 90.1 the Monday following the lecture. You may also find archived Friday Forum lectures on the Y's YouTube channel.

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