Black Lives Matter co-founder to speak at UIC

Alicia Garza, organizer & co-creator of Black Lives Matter. Photo: Kristin Little Photography

The University of Illinois at Chicago’s department of African American studies presents a talk by Alicia Garza, organizer and co-creator of Black Lives Matter.

WHEN:

April 5
5 p.m.

WHERE:

UIC Student Center East
Illinois Room B
750 S. Halsted St.

DETAILS:

Outraged by the 2013 acquittal of George Zimmerman in the shooting death of Trayvon Martin, Alicia Garza took to social media to express her anguish and love for the black community. It was then that Garza — together with Opal Tometi and Patrisse Cullors — turned the powerful words “Black Lives Matter” into a social media phenomenon and an organizing network that boasts more than 26 chapters internationally. #BlackLivesMatter has evolved into the banner under which this generation’s human rights movement marches.

An established organizer committed to social transformation, Garza was placed on The Root 100 2015 list of African American achievers and influencers between the ages of 25 and 45 and featured in the Politico50 Guide to the thinkers, doers and visionaries transforming American politics in 2015. Her writing has been featured in publications such as The Guardian, The Nation, The Feminist Wire, Truthout.org and more.

Garza, who is currently the special projects director for the National Domestic Workers Alliance, previously served as executive director of People Organized to Win Employment Rights. There she led several significant initiatives, including organizing against the chronic police violence in black neighborhoods.

Admission is free and open to the public. For more information, call (312) 996-2950.