2023 Paul Robeson Conference | Black Politics & American Democracy

When

Saturday, February 18, 2023 9:00am to 1:30pm

More Info

Jerome Greene Annex, 410 W. 117 St., New York, NY 10027
Holder Initiative

The Black Law Students Association at Columbia Law School is excited to welcome esteemed guests to discuss Black Politics and the Future of American Democracy at the 2023 Paul Robeson Conference, which will be held in person from February 17th - 18th.

On Friday, February 17th, the conference will open with a fireside chat with Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr. CC’73, LAW’76, and Jelani Cobb, dean of Columbia Journalism School and Henry R. Luce Professor of Journalism, as they discuss Attorney General Holder's new book, Our Unfinished March: The Violent Past and Imperiled Future of the Vote. Learn more and register here.

Day 2 of the conference, Saturday, February 18th, will feature guest panelists who will further the conversation on Black Politics and the future of American democracy. Please see detailed schedule below:

9-10am: Registration and breakfast

10-10:15am: Welcome remarks from Black Law Students Association leadership and pre-recorded message from New York State Attorney General Letitia James

10:20-10:55am: Karl Racine, former Attorney General of the District of Columbia, will speak about his path to becoming the first elected Attorney General of the District of Columbia, as well as his tenure in that role. He will be joined by Leah C. Aden CC’01, Deputy Director of Litigation at the NAACP Legal Defense & Education Fund, Inc. (LDF). Ms. Aden will discuss her leadership role at LDF, particularly her work on felon disenfranchisement laws and voting rights.

11am-12pm: Lunch will be provided for registered conference attendees

12:05-12:55pm: José Morales, Chief of Staff at Abrams for Governor, and Brad Jenkins, CEO & Founder of Enfranchisement Productions and former associate director of the White House Office of Public Engagement, will discuss their work to advance voter protection, coalition building in the realm of voting rights and voter empowerment, and the power of storytelling.

1-1:15pm: Closing remarks by Olatunde C. Johnson, Ruth Bader Ginsburg '59 Professor of Law

Note: This registration page is for Day 2 of the conference only. To register for the opening fireside chat with Eric Holder and Jelani Cobb, please click here.

Registration for this event is required.