When They See Us Screening

Wednesday, October 16 | 5 pm | Newcomb Hall Theater

UVA Press, along with The Carter G. Woodson Institute and the Departments of English and Religious Studies, will be hosting a free screening of the documentary Toni Morrison: The Pieces I Am and a launch event for Morrison’s final book Goodness and the Literary Imagination. The book — which contains never-before-published material by the Nobel Prize-winning author — features essays on the moral and religious dimensions of her novels by Harvard Divinity School faculty and scholars.

The screening will be followed by a book signing and discussion with the book’s editor, Davíd Carrasco, and Deborah McDowell, Director of the Woodson Institute.

This event is FREE!

October 17 - 18, 2019 | Eastern Mennonite University | To Register >

The Center for Justice and Peacebuilding (CJP) and The Institute for Reforms & Solutions (IR&S) are co-hosting a two-day conference to discuss and develop the foundation for a community strategy to reduce incarceration and recidivism in the Shenandoah Valley and beyond.

Topics and workshops will include:

Transformative and Restorative Justice
Innovative Programs in Reentry
Addressing Childhood Trauma
Addictions and Mental Health Treatment
Immigration Detention and Reform
Workforce Training and Adult Basic Education Programs
Therapeutic Approaches to Reduce Juvenile Detention
Partnerships for Housing to Alleviate Chronic Homelessness
Partnerships for House and Employment
The Road to Cannabis Legalization in the Commonwealth

Special event:  Candidate's forum for the November 2019 area elections

Workshop registration includes admission to lunch-time speaking events on both days: (Note:  You can bring your own lunch or purchase it for $10/day from the EMU cafeteria online or at registration)

• Thursday, October 17: Longterm Effects of Childhood Trauma, with Dr. Lisa McGuire

• Friday, October 18: Documentary and talkback: After Riker’s: Justice by Design, with Pamela Mason Wagner

Where: Campus Center, Eastern Mennonite University
When:  Thursday, October 17: 8:30am - 5:00pm - Friday, October 18: 8:30am - 5:00pm
Click here for more information and to register.
We look forward to seeing you at CCJD 2019!

Saturday, October 19 | 11am-2pm | Dickinson Center at PVCC 

Join Professor of Theatre Arts Brad Stoller, drama therapist Mecca Burns and artist/activist Matthew Slaats for a free workshop series that explores Theatre of the Oppressed practices, taking on issues of power, privilege and oppression through a collection of improvised games and exercises intended to promote democracy and spur social change. The workshop series is part of the "Imagining a New Democracy Summit." Learn more about the summit here>

Takes place in the Maxwell Black Box Theatre in the V. Earl Dickinson Building on PVCC's Main Campus in Charlottesville. No experience is necessary to participate. Suitable for those 14 years of age and up. Pre-registration is suggested to reserve your spot here>

October 25-27 | Various Times and Locations 

The Southern Jewish Historical Society will hold its annual conference in Charlottesville, with academic papers and public talks on the theme “Jews, Race, and Public Memory.”  The conference focuses on how southern Jews have been influenced by regional ideas about race, identity, and memory. A position of ambiguity – both insider and outsider, sometimes white and sometimes “other”– has been fundamental to southern Jews’ experiences and opportunities. At this time of heightened debate over depictions and memorialization of southern history, this conference provides occasion to examine how southern Jews have fit into these interpretations. Have Jews been victims of white supremacy, or its beneficiaries? And how can public memory help us to understand the varieties of southern Jewish experience?

The main conference venue is Nau Hall 101.  Full details of the conference are available at https://www.jewishsouth.org/upcoming-conference.  The events on Friday are open only to those who register for the full conference program.  Events on Saturday and Sunday are open to members of the university community and the general public.  The conference schedule for October 26-27 is also attached. To close the conference on Saturday, there will be a performance by Anthony Mordechai Zvi Russell, called Convergence:  Children of the Ghetto + Black Shul. More information on Mr. Russell can be found here: https://www.anthonyrussellbass.com/

This conference has received support from Departments of History, Politics, Jewish Studies, The Carter G. Woodson Institute, The College of Arts and Sciences, the Office of the Provost, and the Race, Religion, and Democracy Lab.

For further questions, contact Phyllis Leffler at pleffler@virginia.edu.

Organizers say the new Equity Center aims to transform UVA’s presence in local classrooms and community centers where young people gather; in public housing, where some residents make their homes; and in all of the environments where its neighbors live, work and play. They also hope the center’s work will become known nationally as a new and effective way of approaching town-gown partnerships.

At its heart is what the center’s national board member and Chicago community leader Willie “J.R.” Fleming called authentic and true partnership..."

The city’s Department of Neighborhood Development Services, with backing from the state, will conduct a historic survey of the 10th and Page neighborhood over the winter. The survey opens up the prospect of a historic designation, which may increase funding opportunities to protect the predominantly African American neighborhood..."

1st Harambee Family Events

January-December 2019 | Various Times | Various Locations

Charlottesville, VA - Harambee Family Events is a calendar that highlights African American Cultural Activities in Charlottesville and surrounding areas. The calendar, created and designed by author, award winner, Mr. Alex-Zan, presents 18 events from January 2019 - December 2019.

The Harambee (Swahili - All Pull Together) culture events objectives are to inspire and unify area citizens to communicate more effectively and create/maintain a positive environment for change and civility. The calendar also strives to strengthen family relations and culture awareness, particularly African Americans who have experienced a lack of inclusion in many area events.

The Harambee Family Event Calendar will be distributed throughout Central VA. - schools, churches, businesses, clubs/organizations and social media to name a few. The calendar sponsors are: (CAT) Charlottesville Area Transit, Wegmans, Blue Ridge Graphics and Carter Myers Automotive.

To view the calendar, visit: Alex-Zan.com