Press Release

Media Alert: Collaboration from the Inside Out with Renaldo Hudson: An Illinois Humanities Envisioning Justice Activation Event

CHICAGO, SEPTEMBER 7, 2023 — Illinois Humanities will present Collaboration from the Inside Out with Renaldo Hudson, the next event in its 2023 Envisioning Justice Activation Series, on September 19 at CityView, 45 E University Ave, Illinois Terminal, Floor 4, Champaign, IL 61820, from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. CST. Artist and organizer Renaldo Hudson will share his experiences as a system-impacted individual and emphasize the need for diverse voices in conversations about creating a world without mass incarceration. The event is hosted by FirstFollowers, a re-entry program that builds strong and peaceful communities by offering peer mentorship, employment support, family reunification, and more.

The Envisioning Justice Activation Series engages the artists, educators, and organizers behind Envisioning Justice RE:ACTION–the program’s dynamic virtual exhibition–to create opportunities for us to reimagine timely conversations about justice, safety, community, and belonging. Each event is hosted in partnership with local nonprofit organizations and community groups that are dedicated to the social, cultural, and economic well-being of their communities.

Join Illinois Humanities, Renaldo Hudson, and FirstFollowers in highlighting the importance of including perspectives from individuals serving long-term sentences in our pursuit of a more just future. The event is free and open to all ages. RSVP is required.

The Envisioning Justice Activation Series will continue through November with free public events in Champaign, Galesburg, Bloomington, and Decatur. Learn more and find an event near you at ILHumanities.org/ActivationSeries.

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Envisioning Justice RE:ACTION is supported in part by the Mellon Foundation and the Art for Justice Fund, a sponsored project of Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors. Additional support comes from the MacArthur Foundation’s Safety and Justice Challenge, Polk Bros. Foundation, the Illinois Arts Council, and the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events.

About Illinois Humanities

Illinois Humanities, the Illinois affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities, is a statewide nonprofit organization that activates the humanities through free public programs, grants, and educational opportunities that foster reflection, spark conversation, build community, and strengthen civic engagement. We provide free, high-quality humanities experiences throughout Illinois, particularly for communities of color, individuals living on low incomes, counties and towns in rural areas, small arts and cultural organizations, and communities highly impacted by mass incarceration. Founded in 1974, Illinois Humanities is supported by state, federal, and private funds. Stay connected with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn @ILHumanities.