From defining a just classroom to discussing how to bridge the racial wealth gap, Tarrant County College’s 2022 TOROTalks summit is exploring social justice topics related to education, the workforce and beyond.
The “Forward Towards Justice” summit takes place over two days, Thursday, April 21, and Friday, April 22, at TCC’s South (5301 Campus Drive, Fort Worth); the event will also be livestreamed and accessible to virtual participants. The summit is free and open to the public as well as TCC students, faculty and staff. College, business and community leaders will lead sessions, take questions and guide discussions. Registration for in-person and virtual attendance is required and available on the summit website.
“This summit is all about presenting and examining practical ways to bring equity into everyday life,” said Michael Russ, coordinator of intercultural student engagement and the Academic Success Center at TCC South. “The problems we face as a society have never been more apparent, but there’s also renewed and deepened energy to tackle those issues. We are proud to bring together members of the College and the North Texas community to create positive change.”
The summit begins Thursday evening with a conversation with Shaun King, a civil rights activist, author and entrepreneur. The next day, Texas State Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-Dallas) will provide the morning keynote address. The summit continues with breakout sessions, including:
- Justice and the Job: Navigating Professional Spaces, covering the dynamics of being culturally marginalized and underrepresented, yet talented, in the 21st-century workplace.
- Everyday Activism: Achieving Justice Now, which provides concrete tactics for raising awareness for social justice causes and bringing about meaningful action.
- Classroom Liberation: Justice Through Teaching and Learning, highlighting ways for educators and students to promote a more just classroom (pre-K through higher education).
- Bridging the Racial Wealth Gap: Achieving Justice Within the Economy, covering implications and possible remedies for unjust policies related to homeownership, public school financing, redistricting and other areas.
King will wrap up the summit with a closing address Friday afternoon. Other speakers and moderators taking part in the event include:
- Frank Dyer, chief operating officer of T.D. Jakes Ministries and TCC adjunct professor
- Johamna Hernández, external affairs and community engagement director for Dallas Kids First
- Jeffrey Herr, Ed.D., professor of education and philosophy at TCC South, program coordinator for teacher education
- Matt Houston, CEO of Collaborative Culture LLC
- Cory Hughes, social activist and entrepreneur
- Larry Jefferson, coordinator of the Intercultural Network at TCC Southeast
- Anette Landeros, president/CEO of the Fort Worth Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
- Kendall Marshall, principal for ClearChoice Financial Group Inc.
- Charles O’Neal, president of the Texas Association of African American Chambers of Commerce
- Jonathan Pérez, Ed.D., co-founder of Collective Leadership Strategies Inc.
- Angela Rush, assistant director, civil rights enforcement for the Department of Diversity and Inclusion at the City of Fort Worth
- Jessica Taylor, diversity business partner and entrepreneur
- Shereah Taylor-Love, Ed.D., dean of behavioral and social sciences at TCC South
For the summit schedule, session details and registration, visit tinyurl.com/torotalkssummit. The event is sponsored by TCC’s Intercultural Network, TCC South Campus Teacher Education and Associate of Arts in Teaching Program, TCC South Office of Student Activities, and the Black Voters Matter Fund.
The Forward Towards Justice Summit is among TCC’s extensive and longstanding efforts to promote equity, inclusion and diversity on its campuses and throughout Tarrant County. Students can build support systems and get involved through student activities and the Intercultural Network, while employees may serve on equity and inclusion councils. Find TCC’s Equity and Inclusion Plan, student demographic information, training and development resources and more tools on the webpage for the Office of Equity and Inclusion at tccd.edu.
Thursday, April 21, 7–9pm
Friday, April 22, 8am–2pm
TCC South, 5301 Campus Drive, Fort Worth