Events

From the Grassroots: [Un]Freedom and Community Advocacy

Hosted By

Local community organizers in the areas of housing, healthcare, and education will come together reflect on the meanings of "unfreedom" in their practice. This event represents the kick-off to a larger effort announced this week by our partners at Connecticut College. In collaboration with CHEO, and supported by the Mellon Foundation, the College is building a platform for public research and dialogue around housing access and security that provides a local lens on the national housing crisis. 

Speakers

  • Trina Charles Executive Director

    Step Up New London

  • David Morgan Executive Director

    Team Inc

  • Jen Paradis Executive Director

    Beth El Center

  • Michael Passero Mayor

    City of New London

  • Anna Vallye Associate Professor of Art History and Architectural Studies

    Connecticut College

  • Cathy Zall Executive Director

    New London Homeless Hospitality Center

This event is the first in a series of four conversations at Connecticut College about the history of New London, CT, as part of the [Un]Freedom Colloquium. Historically, "(un)freedom" describes the state of marginalized people denied human rights even when they legally "free," from enslavement for example. The concept helps us recognize the links between political rights and social rights, which rest on material needs and constraints. 

This series of events offers a productive space for members of local communities to explore and narrate the city's rich history in conversation with faculty, staff, and students, to share strategies and offer opportunities for future collaboration. Framed around the theme of "(un)freedom" as a historical lens through which to view New London's place within the wider setting of the Western Hemisphere and the Atlantic World, events highlight work done by local historians, students, creators, and community advocates. 

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The Mellon Foundation is providing support for this event. 

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Hosted in partnership with

  • Connecticut College

    Connecticut College educates students to put the liberal arts into action as citizens in a global society. The College promotes an understanding of local, regional, national, and international peoples, groups, cultures, and issues, and encourages students to take a life-long interest in them.
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