A James Lawson Institute Training: Symposium for Change

Join us at Vanderbilt Divinity School for an evening to learn about organizing for social change. This teach-in will give participants the opportunity to hear from Nashville's community organizers, faculty who's research is centered around equity, public policy, and violence prevention, and student organizers of social change in Nashville, TN and Atlanta, GA.

This is your chance to be part of a community dedicated to driving positive change in the world through dialogue and practical action. Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals and gain valuable insights into creating a better future for all.

Creatives:

Kashif Graham is Outreach Librarian for Religion and Theology at Vanderbilt Divinity Library and a freelance writer. He is a frequent contributor to Nashville Scene, Chapter16, Theological Librarianship and other literary outlets. Kashif has also appeared on C-SPAN, Queerology, and Nashville’s WPLN. Bridging the arts and education, he can often be found introducing films and hosting panel discussions. He is currently at work on a novel about an interracial gay couple living in East Tennessee.

Erica Johnson is a Ph.D. candidate in the Graduate Department of Religion at Vanderbilt University.

Community Organizers:

Jamel Gooch, Southern Movement Committee are Black organizers, artists, creatives, and movement lawyers working with community members to implement transformative programs and policies developed by people directly impacted by incarceration, police violence, racism, and economic inequality. Our campaigns and projects build safe and just communities grounded in transformative justice, participatory democracy, and visionary leadership.

Rev. RJ Robles, NAMI Tennessee is a grassroots, non-profit, self-help organization offering resources, education and understanding to anyone concerned about mental illnesses and the treatment of mental illness

Brian Zralek, Nashville Organized for Action and Hope (NOAH) is a faith-led coalition that is multi-racial and interdenominational. Comprised of congregations, community organizations, and labor unions, our members work to give voice to traditionally marginalized people. NOAH engages ordinary people in the political and economic decisions affecting their lives, acting as a unified voice for the faith and justice community to act on its values in the public arena. NOAH does not endorse political candidates but gets them to endorse our issues agenda, and pledge to work with NOAH if they are elected.

Vanderbilt Faculty:

Gilbert Gonzales- Associate Professor of Medicine, Health, and Society Director, Associate Professor of Public Policy Studies, Associate Professor of Health Policy Vanderbilt University

Rich Milner- Cornelius Vanderbilt Chair of Education, Department of Teaching and Learning, Professor of Sociology, Professor of Education Policy Studies, Joseph A. Johnson, Jr. Distinguished Leadership Professor, Founding Director, Initiative for Race Research and Justice Vanderbilt University

Krista Mehari- Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology and Human Development Vanderbilt University

Training facilitators:

Courtney Bowden, Lydia ElSayegh, and Brittany T. Paschall are community activists. They will facilitate a nonviolent direct action training.

Host or Publisher James Lawson Institute for the Research and Study of Nonviolent Movements