On May 24, 2018, we launched A New Social Contract: Collective Solutions Built by and for Communities. The event was co-sponsored by People’s Action, Resource Generation, and Race Forward.

A New Social Contract: Collective Solutions Built by and for Communities proposes serious alternatives on issues of housing, criminal justice, poverty, racism, sexism, inequality, and other structural problems.

The launch event featured thought-provoking dialogues between brilliant movement leaders, including: Introduction by Cathy Albisa, NESRI’s Executive Director, and Maya Wiley, Henry Cohen Professor of Urban Policy and Management at The New School. Carol Anderson, Author of White Rage & Chair of the African American Studies Dept. at Emory University, and Greg Asbed, Co-Founder of the Coalition of Immokalee Workers, reflecting on the strategic importance of human rights values. Nijmie Dzurinko, Co-Founder of Put People First! Pennsylvania and Tri-Chair of the Pennsylvania Poor People’s Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival, and Imara Jones, Creator of “The Last Sip,” discussing why we need universal systems and solutions serving everyone while centering the needs of marginalized communities. Glenn Harris, President of Race Forward and James Haslam, Executive Director of Rights and Democracy, sharing how we can create new forms of inclusive and participatory local democracy to create just outcomes.

Final reflections by Scot Nakagawa, Senior Partner of Change Lab.

This program also honors radical human rights lawyer Michael Ratner, one of NESRI’s founding supporters.