Social Justice Day:
“What Matters to You?”
Thursday, March 13, 2025
Roosevelt University
430 S. Michigan Ave., Ganz Hall, 7th Floor
Chicago, IL 60605
9:00 a.m. – 1:20 p.m.
Social Justice Day Moderator:
Natasha L. Robinson, JD
Deputy Chief Diversity Officer and Title IX Coordinator
Social Justice Day kicks off with the Chicago Future Fund panel and 2025 Matthew Freeman Lecture:
“The Chicago Future Fund: The Impact of Guaranteed Basic Income on the Lives of Post-incarceration Individuals” panel features Richard Wallace, founder and executive director of Equity and Transformation (EAT) and the Chicago Future Fund; Ashley Baber, report author and assistant professor of Sociology and Urban Studies at Augsburg University; Rachel Pyon, research director of Equity and Transformation (EAT); and Deon Hodrick, participant in the Chicago Future Fund.
The fund is a year-long guaranteed basic income program for formerly incarcerated Chicagoans to help their transition back to their communities run by Equity and Transformation (EAT). EAT conducted a program evaluation of the Future Fund, finding participants experienced improved overall wellbeing, reduced instances of homelessness, and improved financial security. While there are still barriers for participants as they try to secure stable work and housing, the Chicago Future Fund shows that guaranteed income can mitigate some of the hardships people face after incarceration and, in turn, has the potential to reduce recidivism.
The Matthew Freeman Lecture features Melanie K. Hall, author of Change Your Words to Change Your World. A Roosevelt University alumnus, Melanie will address the ways our communication can build Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) and ultimately communities that share power. Throughout the day, community building activities, a Q&A session, book signing of Melanie’s recent release, and the “Pizza with a Purpose” reception will take place.
This Social Justice Day celebrates our 80th Anniversary. Roosevelt University was born in 1945 when a visionary leader and 62 faculty members had the guts to go against the norms of exclusion in favor of inclusion. They went against the discriminatory practices of higher education in 1945. When asked to limit access because of race, religion and gender, they simply said, “We don’t count that way.” Our history is grounded in courage, acceptance, and a commitment to social justice.
Host:
College of Humanities, Education and Social Sciences
Mansfield Institute of Social Justice
Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Co-sponsor:
The DEI Advisory Council Leadership Team
For more information, contact Natasha Robinson.
Light refreshments will be served.