The Social Justice Institute hosts meaningful events where students, scholars and community members gather together to tap into our individual and collective minds, hearts, souls and networks of support in order to develop strategies and actions that respect and uplift human dignity and life. We are honored to provide distinctive educational opportunities and we invite you to join us and become partners in our work.
We Refuse: A Forceful History of Black Resistance with Kellie Carter Jackson
Thursday, April 2nd, 2026
4:30 PM - 5:30 PM
CWRU School of Law
Moot Court Room
11075 East Blvd
Cleveland, OH 44106
The 2026 Maya Angelou and Professor Calvin Sharpe Distinguished Lecture
Black resistance to white supremacy is often reduced to a simple binary, between Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s nonviolence and Malcolm X’s “by any means necessary.” In her lecture, "We Refuse," historian Kellie Carter Jackson looks beyond this false choice, offering an unflinching examination of the breadth of Black responses to white oppression, particularly those pioneered by Black women, with emphasis on gun ownership. The dismissal of “Black violence” as an illegitimate form of resistance is itself a manifestation of white supremacy. Force—from work stoppages and property destruction to armed revolt—has played a pivotal part in securing freedom and justice for Black people for centuries. But force is only one tool among many. Carter Jackson examines other, no less vital tactics that have shaped the Black struggle, from the restorative power of finding joy in the face of suffering to the quiet strength of simply walking away. This lecture will provide a deeper historical insight and understanding of how power, violence, and state authority shape legal and social outcomes.
For more information, or to register for this free event, visit the Law School's website.
Social Justice Institute's R & R (Research and Refreshment) lecture series returns!
What does it mean to engage in social justice related research?
Community Conversations on Health, Science, and Technology in the Service of Justice with Professor Lynette Hammond Gerido
Thursday, April 16th, 2026
4:30 PM - 5:45 PM
CWRU School of Law
Moot Court Room
11075 East Blvd
Cleveland, OH 44106
In this lecture, Dr. Gerido will introduce herself as an empirical bioethicist and information scientist whose scholarship in the Ethical, Legal, and Social Implications of genomic research is rooted in community partnership and a commitment to justice in precision medicine and artificial intelligence. Her work is driven by a central question: how do we have honest conversations about science and technology when innovation is inseparable from histories of exclusion, unequal recognition, and structural harm?
Using examples from the history and politics of science, this talk examines how social justice concerns shape the way we interpret discovery, expertise, and progress. We will consider the contested legacy of James Watson, whose role in DNA science cannot be separated from his personal stances on race, intelligence, and gender. We will also examine Rosalind Franklin’s scientific contributions and the enduring questions about recognition and credit in the story of DNA discovery. In conversation with scholars such as Alondra Nelson, she also situates these issues within broader histories of medical discrimination, public response, and the struggle to make science and medicine more accountable to the communities they claim to serve.
These cases provide a way to think about contemporary debates in precision medicine and artificial intelligence. New technologies promise better prediction, earlier diagnosis, and more personalized care, but they also raise enduring questions about power, trust, representation, bias, and accountability. Their legitimacy depends not only on technical performance, but on whether researchers and institutions are willing to engage communities as genuine partners, address historical and ongoing harms, and design research that is transparent, responsive, and worthy of trust. She argues that community partnership is not simply a strategy for recruitment or dissemination. It is a justice practice that can reshape research questions, guide technology design, and help rebuild trust in fields where skepticism is historically grounded. This talk invites participants to see difficult conversations not as obstacles to scientific progress, but as necessary to more inclusive, socially responsive, and ethically grounded research.
Click here to learn more about Professor Lynette Hammond Gerido.
About Our Events
The majority of our events are free of charge and open to the community. We cannot do this important work without you – we hope that you will consider supporting us in these endeavors. Gifts of any size will impact our work and support our signature programs. Donations may be made online or sent to Social Justice Institute, 10900 Euclid Ave, Cleveland, OH 44106-7243.
To RSVP or volunteer for any upcoming event, please call 216.368.7568 or email socialjustice@case.edu.