“From Civil Rights to Black Power: Tracing the African American Freedom Struggle” – A conference by the Chicago SNCC History Project

******ADVANCED REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED.******
Walk-In Registration: an additional $5 charge will be added to the ticket.

Conference Description:

This two-day conference will revisit an understudied and often misunderstood, but crucial, part of the ongoing African-American fight for freedom, social justice and humanity.

More than 50 years ago, the controversial rallying cry "Black Power" first rang out on a Mississippi highway during the 1966 Meredith March against Fear. It signaled challenges to the early integrationist, nonviolent leadership of the southern civil rights movement and the beginning of demands for equality rather than integration. Old alliances ended; new alliances, tactics and leadership were formed. And most importantly, the rallying cry marked a shift to a national Black Power and Black Liberation movement that included northern states.

The Chicago Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) History Project in cooperation with the SNCC Legacy Project will use this year’s Black History Month conference to study this important period through discussion, film, and music in an intergenerational arena that will include participation from activists who were there as well as young black organizers of today.

Agenda - Friday, February 17

8:30-9:00 a.m.: Coffee and rolls

9:00: Welcome, Dr. Al Bennett, Director, St. Clair Drake Center, Roosevelt University.

9:15: Entrance: SNCC Freedom Singers, Chicago SNCC History Project Board

9:30: Mia Henry, Arcus Center for Social Justice, presents Circle of Elders

9:40: Circle of Elders, conference opening

9:50: Mia Henry introduces the film “The Fannie Lou Hamer Story”

10:30 – 11:30: Nefeteri Okine, Chicago SNCC History Project, introduces round table discussion of Fannie Lou Hamer and the Mississippi Freedom Democratic

Party with:

- Dr. Charles Payne, Frank P. Hixon Distinguished Service Professor in the University of Chicago School of Social Service Administration;

- Freddie Greene Biddle, native Mississippian, SNCC Field Secretary;

- Charlie Cobb, SNCC Field Secretary, Coordinator Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party;

- Dr. Leslie McLemore, native Mississippian, Professor Emeritus, Jackson State University, Founder of The Fannie Lou Hamer Institute.

Conducted by Nicaya Rapier, Chicago SNCC History Project.

11:50- 12:50p.m.: Discussion Circles on Morning Film and Round Table

1:00- 1:50: Lunch

2:00 -3:00: Nefeteri Okine, Chicago SNCC History Project, introduces round table discussion of the Lowndes County (Alabama) Freedom Movement with:

- Dr. Hasan Jefferies, Ohio State University;

- Dorothy Dewberry Aldridge, SNCC Field Secretary Lowndes County;

- Attorney Richard Morrisroe, SNCC volunteer shot in Lowndes County;

- Bettie M. Fikes, SNCC Freedom Singer, Selma, Alabama.

Discussion conducted by Nicaya Rapier, Chicago SNCC History Project.

Stretch /Break

3:15- 4:15: Discussion Circles on Afternoon Round Table

4:30- 5:30: Nefeteri Okine introduces round table on the “Meredith March Against Fear” with:

- Willie Mukasa Ricks, who first shouted “Black Power” on the march;

- Phil Hutchings, last Chair of SNCC, and including new footage of the Meredith March.

Conducted by Mia Henry, Arcus Center for Social Justice.

Agenda - Saturday, February 18

8:30-9:00 a.m.: Coffee and rolls

9:00: Welcome, Dr. Al Bennett, Director, St. Clair Drake Center, Roosevelt University.

9:15: Entrance: Mark Durham Trio, Featuring Yadina.

9:30: Mia Henry, Arcus Center for Social Justice, presents Circle of Elders

9:40: Circle of Elders, conference opening

9:50-11:00: Darius Lightfoot, Fearless Leading by Youth (FLY), introduces the film “The Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution”

Stretch /Break

11:15- 12:00 p.m.: Darius Lightfoot, FLY, introduces round table discussion of “Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution” with:

- Dr. Jamal Joseph, former Black Panther, Chair of Media and Film, Columbia University, New York;

- Dr. Robyn Spencer, Associate Professor of History, Lehman College;

- Attorney Standish Willis, Chicago attorney instrumental in conviction of torturer Jon Burge.

Conducted by Susan Smith Richardson, The Chicago Reporter

12:10- 1:00: Round Table Discussion of Film

1:00- 1:50 Lunch

2:00 -2:50: Film, “Agents of Change,”

Stretch /Break

3:15- 4:15: Round table discussion of “Agents of Change”, with Dr. James Garrett and representatives of Black Student Organizations.

Conducted by Nicole Wilson, Public Allies Chicago; Chicago SNCC History Project and Ayinde Cartman.

4:30- 5:15: Brenetta Howell Barrett, Chicago SNCC History Project, introduces round table A Luta Continua with:

- Maxine Aguilar, Youth for Black Lives Matter;

- Marlon English, Circles and Ciphers;

- Jasmine Davis, First Defense Legal Aid.

Conducted by Darius Lightfoot, FLY

5:15 Closing, Ayinde, Drum Ceremony

Lunch will be included for both days.

***ADVANCE REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED.******

Register through Eventbrite link: bit.ly/ChiSNCC2017

Walk-In Registration: an additional $5 charge will be added to the ticket.

Questions? Contact the Chicago SNCC History Project at ChicagoSNCCHistoryProject@gmail.com

Check out the Website at: http://www.cafsncc.org/Chicago_SNCC_History_Project/Home.html