Power of Connection: A Civil Rights Workshop

Power of Connection is a full-day civil rights workshop convening attorneys, advocates, and community organizers working on voting rights, fair housing, education equity, and economic justice across the Midwest.

The strongest movements have always combined legal strategy with community power. This day is about building that connection.

The event features keynote remarks from Nekima Levy Armstrong, civil rights lawyer, scholar-activist, and past president of the Minneapolis NAACP, and workshop sessions designed for pro bono counsel, civil rights attorneys, and community organizers.

8:00 AM – Breakfast & Community
9:00 AM – Welcome & Opening Plenary
10:45 AM – Interactive Breakout Sessions
11:45 AM – Lunch & Featured Conversation
1:15 PM – Skill-Building Breakout Sessions
3:00 PM – Networking, Closing Conversation, & Calls to Action

CLE pending

This is not a traditional workshop. Power of Connection is designed to strengthen the relationships that make sustained civil rights work possible. Sponsorship puts your organization at the center of a growing network of movement organizers and the legal community.

Partner with us to bring this work to life. View sponsorship packages or make your commitment here. To learn more, contact Jodi Lacy, Development Manager, at [email protected].

Info: Arrive, connect, and settle in. Morning refreshments provided.

Info: Establish the shared frame for the day, including a welcome and purpose from the Chicago Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights, a review of community agreements, and a framing conversation on understanding our roles in the ecosystem of social change and resistance—exploring how lawyers, organizers, and pro bono attorneys can be stronger partners to one another.

Info: Election Protection — A Cross-Sector Approach to the Midterm Elections

Info: Closing the Racial Wealth Gap: How the Legal Community Can Support Entrepreneurs — This panel brings together community organizers to discuss how collaboration with attorneys can dismantle barriers and create lasting economic opportunity. Through real-world examples and practical strategies, panelists will discuss how legal advocacy, grassroots organizing, and business development can align to support entrepreneurs and advance equitable wealth-building.

Info: Building the Partnership: How lawyers and organizers can build collaborative, effective and durable partnerships. Covers coalition structure, decision-making approaches, communication and what gets in the way.

Info: A full group lunch: modeling what the lawyer–organizer partnership looks like at its best — Enjoy shared storytelling, plus table conversations (one question per table), with report-outs.

Info: Listen to Organizers — Small group, organizers set the agenda. What do you need? What gets in the way?

Info: Safeguarding Nonprofits and Their Missions — Speed consulting with attorneys on specific legal questions from nonprofits in the room.

Info: Pro Bono Attorney Moving Civil Rights — How to get in shape for civil rights work. What cases are available, what skills are needed, and how to move matters through your firm.

Info: Featured closing conversation with community organizers on what they need from lawyers—what has worked and what hasn’t—followed by calls to action and networking: election protection sign-up, pro bono intake, and tea and coffee.

Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.

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Host or Publisher Chicago Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights