Wilson Peace Symposium 2026: "Lift Every Voice: The Sounds of Democracy"

Loyola University Maryland’s Karson Institute for Race, Peace & Social Justice will host the sixth annual Wilson Peace Symposium on Thursday, April 23, 2023, from 9:30 a.m.—2:00 p.m. in McGuire Hall on the campus of Loyola University Maryland.

The daylong symposium is free and open to the public and will feature presentations from the 2025-26 Karson Backpack Journalists. Registration is required. The symposium’s theme, “Lift Every Voice: Exploring the Sounds of Democracy from 1776-2026,” will be the central focus of all sessions and discussions.

As we celebrate the 250th anniversary of the release of the Declaration of Independence and a century of Black History commemorations, the theme for our 2026 symposium speaks to this convergence of these two unique moments in America's history.

Concurrent sessions will run from 9:00 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. in two separate rooms:

1. Fourth Floor Program Room: The Art of Resistance: Taking the Camera, Grabbing the Pen, and Telling Our Stories. Director Whitehead and the 2025-26 Karson Backpack Journalists will discuss storytelling as a form of resistance.
2. McGuire Hall: Fugitive Pedagogy: Exploring the Intersection of Resistance, Peace, and Freedom. Dr. Shields will lead a conversation outlining and exploring how resistance, peace, and freedom intersect in American politics.

12:30-2:00p A mid-day moderated conversation: “Lift Every Voice: Exploring the Sound of Democracy from 1776-2026,” led by Director Whitehead along with Dr. Shields; Edwin Avent, CEO of Baltimore Collegiate School for Boys former CEO of SSNTV & Heart & Soul Magazine; and, Dr. Teisha Dupree-Wilson, Assistant Professor and Coordinator for the History and African American Studies Program at Coppin State University.

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Host or Publisher Karsonya "Kaye" Wise Whitehead