Black Thriving in America: A Continued Conversation Dec. 2
CECH event features Dr. M. Christopher Brown II of the Dr. N. Payne Center for Social Justice
Event Information (passed)
The School of Criminal Justice – part of the College of Education, Criminal Justice, Human Services, and Information Technology – invites the UC community and public to “Black Thriving in America: A Continued Conversation,” a special event that explores critical insights from the 2024 report on Black life experiences in America.
UC is honored to welcome Dr. M. Christopher Brown II, Executive Director of the Dr. N. Payne Center for Social Justice at the Thurgood Marshall College Fund, who will present findings from the groundbreaking Black Thriving in America report. This comprehensive study, using decades of Gallup research, captures the voices of 40 million Black Americans across six vital areas: justice, economic opportunity, education, jobs and work, health and wellbeing, and community and environment.
This event will include an in-depth examination of the criminal justice section, presented by CECH’s J.Z. Bennett, Leah Butler and Audrey Hickert, highlighting two pivotal realities: the historical overrepresentation of Black Americans in the criminal justice system and the substantial decline in criminal justice contact over the past 25 years.
"This event holds particular significance as it marks the first time the findings from the Black Thriving in America report will be engaged within an academic setting," says Bennett. "Hosting the event in CECH at the University of Cincinnati creates a unique platform for professors and scholars to analyze and interpret the report's implications, fostering a deeper understanding of its impact on the Greater Cincinnati area and its broader societal and policy implications."
A distinguished faculty panel of CECH professors will also discuss the progress and challenges in other domains covered in the report and engage with the audience in a conversation about how public perception influences policy and reform.
Don’t miss this opportunity to explore data-driven perspectives that reveal both advancements and ongoing challenges in Black thriving and contribute to an impactful dialogue on the future of social justice.
Program Schedule
- Welcome and Introduction
- Keynote Address: Presented by Dr. M. Christopher Brown II, Executive Director of the Dr. N. Payne Center for Social Justice at the Thurgood Marshall College Fund
- Criminal Justice Presentation: In-depth presentation by Audrey Hickert, Ph.D.; Leah Butler, Ph.D.; and J.Z. Bennett, Ph.D. from CECH
- CECH Faculty Panel Discussion: A panel of CECH faculty members will discuss the broader findings of the Black Thriving in America report
- Questions and Closing Remarks: Open Q&A session with audience members followed by closing remarks
Refreshments will be provided at this event.
Featured image at top: Students in discussion at a UC event. Photo/Daniel Johnson, CECH Marketing
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