Presented by BCRW and the Institute for Research in African American Studies, Columbia University

In honor of the 20th anniversary of the publication of Ella Baker and the Black Radical Tradition by Barbara Ransby, this day-long symposium will feature a keynote conversation by Angela Davis and Barbara Ransby, panels with nationally recognized scholars, and a celebratory reception with music, poetry, and refreshments. Join us for a robust celebration of Ella Baker and her legacy and a rich conversation about Black radicalism.

PROGRAM

Music by DJ Lynnée Denise and performance by poet Kristiana Rae Colón

9:30 - 10 a.m. | Opening Remarks

Janet Jakobsen (Barnard College), Jafari Allen (University of Miami), and Sarah Haley (Columbia University)

10:00-11:30 a.m. | Black Women and the Black Radical Tradition

Robin D.G. Kelley (University of California, Los Angeles), Dayo Gore (Georgetown University), Mariame Kaba (Project Nia), and Barbara Smith (Co-Founder, Combahee River Collective), moderated by Gina Dent (University of California, Santa Cruz)

11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. | Lunch Break

1:00-2:30 p.m. | Teaching Ella Baker

Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor (Princeton University), Robyn C. Spencer-Antoine (Lehman College), and Beverly Guy-Sheftall (Spelman College), moderated by Farah Jasmine Griffin (Columbia University)

2:30-2:45 p.m. | Coffee Break

2:45-4:15 p.m. | What Ella Baker’s Legacy Means for the Freedom Movement Today

Maurice Mitchell (Working Families Party), Leena Odeh (Ella’s Daughters), Karissa Lewis (M4BL), and Asha Ransby-Sporn (Chicago organizer and writer), moderated by Cathy Cohen (University of Chicago)

4:15-4:30 p.m. | Break

4:30-5:30 p.m. | Keynote Conversation

Barbara Ransby (University of Illinois, Chicago) and Angela Davis (emerita, University of California, Santa Cruz)

5:30-6 p.m. | Closing Remarks

Premilla Nadasen (Barnard College)