About the Parren Mitchell Symposium

Each year, the Critical Race Initiative's annual Parren Mitchell Symposium examines systemic inequality in contemporary society. Through the engagement of scholars, activists, and other professionals, the symposium elucidates how race permeates social institutions and provides a direct dialogue between the broader campus community and symposium participants. The goal of the symposium is threefold: 

1. Education - Through the symposium's themes and program, participants will have a greater awareness of social issues and understanding of why these inequalities exist, their impact, and action steps that can be taken to address them

2. Engagement - Though awareness and education are important, they are not enough. The symposium seeks to equip attendees with methods of combating inequality


3. Encouragement - Activism and justice work is arduous and taxing in multiple ways (i.e., emotionally, intellectually, spiritually, physically). The symposium aims to create a network of justice oriented individuals who can serve as a source of support.