The Trayvon Effect Conference

The goal of The Trayvon Effect conference, set to launch on February 28th, 2014 at Teachers, College, Columbia University, is to encourage dialogue and action around racial profiling, Black masculinity and the impact of social constructs on race, education and the law. Some key questions to be explored throughout the conference include: What does it mean to be a Black man in America during the Obama years? How does the media help perpetuate racism, classism and sexism? How can educators devise social justice aligned curriculum that speaks to inequities in urban schools and communities? The first conference of its kind, The Trayvon Effect will provide a space for educators, community activists, scholars and most importantly, students. The first day is dedicated to panel discussions around the conference themes which include community organizing and racial profiling as it relates to Black masculinity. The second day is devoted to student work in the form of poetry, art work, songs, essays and speeches.