Press Releases 2007

CONTACT:  Mary Planding, Director, Marketing & Communications
(831) 479-6158
mary.planding [at] cabrillo.edu
April 18, 2007

CABRILLO COLLEGE HOSTS
FIRST ANNUAL SOCIAL JUSTICE CONFERENCE
“Imagining Change:  Shaping the Future”
Saturday, April 21, 2007, 9 am to 4:15 pm
Cabrillo College Aptos Campus

APTOS, CA— Cabrillo College is presenting a conference on social justice issues and ideas on Saturday, April 21, from 9:00 am to 4:15 pm in the 200 (Theater), 400 and 500 buildings on the Aptos campus. Social justice is a movement working toward a more just, humane society in which all individuals and groups experience fair treatment and have equitable access to the benefits of society.

The day will begin with a dedicatory poem by Cabrillo College instructor and poet, Dr. Ekua Omosupe. At 2:15 pm, college president Brian King will present an award to Assembly Member John Laird who will then deliver the keynote address.

Panel presentations will feature many significant facets and faces of Cabrillo’s intellectual life during the two breakout sessions held in the morning and afternoon. These panels will cover a wide range of topics such as anti-bias techniques, prejudices around the word ‘gang’, causes of and solutions for social violence, ethical employment issues, family politics, facing poverty, education and the military, international conflicts and social movements.

Xochitl Zaragoza and Yahya Griffin-Freeman, Cabrillo students, will read their poetry. Troyvoi Dougal will also give his award-winning paper from the recent Martin Luther King, Jr., essay contest—“Let Freedom Ring: Continuing the Legacy.”

Cabrillo College trustees Rebecca Garcia, John Leopold, Katy Stonebloom, and Claudine Wildman will present their thoughts on the college’s role in the community and providing access to education for all.

Local social justice organizations will present information and opportunities for activism at tables around the campus’ grounds. The day will end with a musical performance. Local restaurants are providing a free mid-day meal funded in part through the generosity of Assembly Member Laird who has returned his speaker’s fee to the conference.

The conference is made possible through the support of the Cabrillo College Foundation, the Cabrillo College Student Senate, several student clubs, and many faculty members as well as the students who will form the core of the panel presentations.

For further information, please  contact any of the following steering committee members:
Dr. Adela Najarro (adnajarr@Cabrillo.edu or 831-479-6149)
Diego Navarro (diego@cabrillo.edu or 831-477-5166)
Kristin Wilson (krwilson@Cabrillo.edu or 479-3253)
Teresa Macedo Pool (tepool@Cabrillo.edu or 477-3254)
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