Past Event

The Struggle for Justice: The 1619 Project and the Changing Narrative on Mass Incarceration

Please join the Pulitzer Center, the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC), and Illinois Humanities for an evening focused on the struggle for justice, from the first arrival of enslaved people sold to colonists in 1619 to the mass incarceration of Black and Brown people.

The evening program begins with a keynote address by award-winning New York Times journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones, lead writer on the New York Times Magazine 1619 Project issue. An expert panel of criminal justice advocates, journalists, and educators will then discuss the changing narrative on mass incarceration. Following the panel discussion, Hannah-Jones will join in a Q&A with panelists.

Panelists include:

  • Norris Henderson, Founder and Executive Director, Voice of the Experienced
  • Sarah Ross, Assistant Professor, SAIC and Cofounder of the Prison + Neighborhood Arts Project
  • Brian L. Frank, Photojournalist and Pulitzer Center Grantee
  • Jason Boulware, Lecturer, SAIC
  • Moderator: Kristen Mack, Interim Director of Communications, MacArthur Foundation

Remarks will be given by SAIC President Elissa Tenny, Pulitzer Center Executive Director Jon Sawyer, and Illinois Humanities Executive Director Gabrielle Lyon. The program is in concert with Illinois Humanities’ exhibition Envisioning Justice at SAIC’s Sullivan Galleries through October 12.

SAIC is a Pulitzer Center Campus Consortium partner. The program is made possible by the Art for Justice Fund, which supports work to end mass incarceration by the Pulitzer Center, Illinois Humanities, and Voice of the Experienced.

Please note: the event will be first come, first served, and we expect a full room. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m., and we suggest attendees arrive early.

If you have questions please contact SAIC Events at saicevents@saic.edu or 312.499.4190.

Persons with disabilities requesting accommodations should visit saic.edu/access.