Meet our featured
Event Speakers
Charlene Carruthers
Charlene Carruthers is a political strategist, writer and leading community organizer in today’s movement for Black liberation. She is the founder of the Chicago Center for Leadership and Transformation and author of Unapologetic: A Black, Queer and Feminist Mandate for Radical Movements.
Shalini Kantayya
Shalini Kantayya is a filmmaker and environmental activist. Her acclaimed feature documentary, Coded Bias, premiered at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival. Kantayya is a TED Fellow, a William J. Fulbright Scholar, and an Associate of the UC Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism.
Jonathan Mooney
Jonathan Mooney is a dyslexic writer, speaker and activist who is the recipient of the Truman Fellowship for graduate study in creative writing and disability studies. He is the author of “The Short Bus: A Journey Beyond Normal” and co-author of “Learning Outside the Lines.” His work has appeared in the NY Times, Washington Post, NPR and other prominent outlets.
Eboo Patel
Eboo founded Interfaith Youth Core on the idea that religion should be a bridge of cooperation rather than a barrier of division. He is inspired to build this bridge by his identity as an American Muslim navigating a religiously diverse social landscape.
The Elevate Experience
In addition to our featured guest speakers, the two-day conference will feature research presentations, film screenings, performances, and interactive workshops delivered by members of the Conn family and our New London neighbors. Participants will be able to expand cultural knowledge, develop stronger personal awareness, and deepen commitments to the pursuit of social justice within the Conn community and beyond.
