2018 Events
About Hooks Events
Protecting and promoting civil rights and social justice requires vigilance by each of us. The Hooks Institute hopes you will stay engaged with and connected to efforts to promote a just, fair and democratic society. We encourage you to join us at our public events.
Click here to view upcoming and past Hooks African American Male Initiative events.
Fall 2018 Events
November 15, 2018
Hooks Institute Open House
November 15, 2018, Reception 5:30 p.m. | Panel Discussion 6 p.m. | University Center River Room (300) | University of Memphis
Robots, disparate healthcare outcomes, fragmented education and a biased criminal justice system. How can ordinary people overcome the weight of these challenges to thrive in our society? The Hooks Institute for Social Change will hold a community discussion on these issues at its annual open house on Thursday, Nov. 15, when it will release the fourth edition of its annual policy papers, Climbing Out From Under the Rock: Restoring Civil Rights, Economics and Social Justice in Memphis and the Nation.
The event will be held in the University Center River Room (300) beginning with a reception at 5:30 p.m. followed by a panel discussion at 6 p.m. This event is free and open to the community.
September 18, 2018 - Monday, November 12, 2018
Exhibit, “Uplift the vote. Everybody should have a voting story. This is theirs. What will be yours?”
Tuesday, September 18, 2018 - Monday, November 12, 2018 | Monday – Friday, 7 a.m. to 12 a.m. Visit memphis.edu/libraries/about/hours/index.php for weekend and holiday hours. | Ned McWherter Library (Rotunda) | University of Memphis.
* This exhibit is closed to the public on Thursday, September 20 for a Donor and Friends Reception from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
In 1969, the New York Times called the Fayette County, Tennessee civil rights movement the “longest sustained civil rights protest in the nation.” This movement began in 1959 when African Americans in that county demanded the right to vote. This nonpartisan exhibit highlights the price paid by some for the right to vote, and challenges viewers to assess the significance of voting in contemporary America while encouraging viewers to participate in the democratic process of voting.
September 13, 2018
University of Memphis Faculty Reception
Thursday, September 13, 2018, 1 p.m. – 3 p.m. | Hooks Institute Executive Space (4th Floor - across from Special Collections) Ned McWherter Library | University of Memphis
UofM faculty are invited to a reception to explore partnerships and collaborations with the Hooks staff and faculty affiliates that advance social justice and civil rights in Memphis and beyond. As part of the Hooks Institute voter registration efforts in September, faculty may also be registered to vote at this reception by a deputy registrar.
September 10, 2018
Economic Challenges Facing Black Men and Boys: Beyond the Data to Lived Experience
Monday, Sept. 10, 2018 | 6 p.m. Reception, 6:30 p.m. Program
Memphis Branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, 200 N. Main St. Memphis,
Tenn. 38103
There is progress toward narrowing the gaps between African-American and Hispanic families and white families in income, wealth and areas such as homeownership and health, according to the Center for Household Financial Stability's recently released 2018 Demographics of Wealth series.
However, large gaps remain, and several trends reported by the experts at the center at the St. Louis Fed are not as encouraging. Black and Hispanic college graduates were hit hard by the financial crisis and Great Recession and their subsequent financial recovery remains incomplete.
Economists will discuss trends and document the heightened difficulty black families have in passing on middle-class status to their children—especially their sons. Local and national experts will interpret the data in light of their own observations and experiences.
A panel discussion and audience Q&A will complete the session. Moderated by Sam O'Bryant, senior director at SchoolSeed Foundation, the panel will include:
- Camille Busette, director of the Race, Prosperity and Inclusion Initiative at Brookings Institute
- William R. Emmons, assistant vice president and economist, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, and senior economic adviser at the center
- Daphene McFerren, executive director of the Hooks Institute at the University of Memphis
- Lowell R. Ricketts, lead analyst at the center
- Douglas Scarboro, regional executive of the Memphis Branch of the St. Louis Fed
- Jason Wilson, owner of Northwest Coffee Roasting Co.
The event is open on a first-come, first-served basis. There is no cost to attend, but registration is required and will close Sept. 5 or as soon as all seats are filled.
Questions? Contact Joann Harris at Joann.Harris@stls.frb.org or 901-531-5101.
This presentation is part of the St. Louis Fed's evening discussion series, called Dialogue with the Fed: Beyond Today’s Financial Headlines.
August 18, 2018
Splash Mid-South 10 Year Anniversary Kick-Off
Saturday, August 18, 2018 | Ric Nuber YMCA
On Saturday, August 18th the Ric Nuber YMCA hosted Splash Mid-South for their 10 Year Anniversary Kick-Off, where they celebrated 10 years of being a community-wide, volunteer initiative developed to give more children the opportunity to learn to swim. During the event, swimmers from Memphis Tiger Swimming assisted young and beginner swimmers in learning basic water safety skills and swim stroke development. Olympians Gabrielle Rose and Julia Stowers also volunteered at the event to teach basic skills and share their love of swimming.
Splash Mid-South partners in attendance at the event included: Safe Kids Mid-South, The Benjamin L. Hooks Institute for Social Change, Le Bonheur Children's Hospital, University of Memphis, YMCA of Memphis & the Mid-South, and Memphis Tiger Swimming.
August 17, 2018
Dr. Benjamin L. Hooks Job Corps Center Commencement Program
Friday, August 17, 2018 | 2 pm
Hooks Institute Executive Director Daphene McFerren serves as the commencement speaker at the Benjamin L. Hooks Job Corps Center 2018 Commencement.
August 16, 2018
Public Meeting on the Civic Roles and Responsibilities in Modern America
Hosted by the National Commission on Military, National and Public Service
Thursday, August 16, 2018 | 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. | National Civil Rights Museum at the Lorraine Motel, Hooks Hyde Hall | 450 Mulberry St, Memphis, TN 38103
The National Commission on Military, National, and Public Service will host a public
meeting from 6:30-8:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 16, 2018 at the National Civil Rights
Museum at the Lorraine Motel. The meeting will open with an overview of the commission
and include a panel of community leaders who will address the history and current
state of civic engagement in Memphis as well as explore how individuals can contribute
in today’s modern society, specifically in public, national, or military service.
The public meeting will conclude with a Q&A and public comment session where the audience
can engage the panel and discuss how they can contribute to and serve the city of
Memphis. Audience members can also share any ideas and thoughts related to the commission's
mandate. The panel will feature Ike Griffith, Special Assistant to the Mayor and Director
of the Memphis Office of Youth Services (MOYS); Andrea Hill, Director of Volunteer
Memphis, an initiative within Leadership Memphis; Daphene R. McFerren, Executive Director
of the Benjamin L. Hooks Institute for Social Change at the University of Memphis;
and Tyler Stegall, Project Coordinator of the Human Resources Divisions at the City
of Memphis.
Spring 2018 Events
June 8, 2018
The Rotary Club of Memphis Central -RCMC #3931 | Rotarian Guest: Daphene R. McFerren, Executive Director
Friday, June 8, 2018, Noon – 1 p.m. | Holiday Inn University of Memphis, 3700 Central Ave. Memphis, TN 38111
May 16, 2018
Freedom Preparatory Academy Senior Signing Day
April 26, 2018
Title IX in Practice: Faculty and Staff Roles as Campus Allies and Leaders
Thursday, April 26, 2018, 12:30 p.m.-2:30 p.m.| FedEx Institute of Technology Zone
The Critical Conversations Committee invites all faculty and staff to participate in an important campus-wide discussion regarding Title IX and the key role University employees are required and expected to play in preventing and responding to incidents of possible sexual misconduct. This Critical Conversation will focus on new University initiatives for improving implementation of Title IX on campus, mandatory reporting obligations, annual training requirements, University policies and procedures, bystander intervention, and other relevant topics raised by attendees regarding how the U of M community can better prevent and address sexual misconduct.
Kenneth Anderson, Esq., Director of the Office for Institutional Equity, will lead the conversation. The event also features facilitators from the Office for Institutional Equity and breakout sessions to actively solicit feedback from attendees on how the University can continue building a safe, diverse, inclusive and supportive environment for everyone.
April 19, 2018
League of Women Voters Voter Registration Event
Hooks staff and HAAMI members assist the League of Women Voters in registering people to vote at the Naturalization Ceremony on the University of Memphis Campus.
April 3, 2018
MLK50 Essay Contest Reading & Reception
Tuesday April 3, 4 pm | University of Memphis McWherter Library, 2nd Floor
UofM student contest winners will read from their essays inspired by photographs of the 1968 Sanitation Workers’ Strike from the Libraries’ digital collection. McWherter Library 2nd floor. Refreshments will be served. This event is co-sponsored by the Benjamin L. Hooks Institute for Social Change.
April 1, 2018
Easter Sunday Coffee House, Brown MIssionary Baptist Church
Sunday, April 1, 2018 | Brown Missionary Baptist Church
The Hooks Institute sponsored the Easter Sunday Coffee House at Brown Missionary Baptist Church, a long-time supporter of the Institute.
March 31, 2018
At the River I Stand Screening
March 31, 2018, 3 pm - 5 pm | The Halloran Center at the Orpheum Theatre Memphis
The College of Communication and Fine Arts presents a special screening of "At the River I Stand," on Saturday, March 31, at the Halloran Center at the Orpheum, 203 South Main St. The host for the event will be Cornell Brooks, former President and CEO of the NAACP. The event is free and open to the public.
This event is co-sponsored in part by the Benjamin L. Hooks Institute.
March 14, 2018
FILM and TALK, Abina and the Important Men
Wednesday, March 14, 2018, 6 PM | University Center Theatre
Abina and the Important Men is the true story of an enslaved woman in the 19th century Gold coast of Africa (present-day Ghana) who fought for her freedom in the British colonial courts. Dr. Getz will show his award-winning animated film and discuss the research that led him to create a graphic history and this film. Sponsored in part by the Benjamin L. Hooks Institute for Social Change.
March 1, 2018
2018 Hooks Institute Annual Join Hands for Change Benefit
Thursday, March 1, 2018, 6 pm Reception, 7 pm Program.
The Holiday Inn at the University of Memphis.
3700 Central Ave., Memphis, TN 38111
Please join the Hooks Institute for its annual Join Hands for Change Program and Reception to increase our social change broadcast signal!
The evening will include live music, entertainment, and food stations and will feature the dynamic students in the Hooks African American Male Initiative (HAAMI) program.
Interested in sponsorship opportunities? Please contact the Hooks Institute at (901) 678-3974 or bhi@memphis.edu.
Visit the 2018 Join Hands for Change Benefit website by clicking here.
February 13, 2018
The Civil Rights Movement: A Cultural Revolution Screening, Orange Mound
Tuesday, February 13, 2018, 10:30–11 am | Orange Mound Community Center, 2572 Park Avenue, Memphis, TN
Explore the impact of the Civil Rights Movement on the fashion, music, and culture of the era through the Hooks Institute's documentary film The Civil Rights Movement: A Cultural Revolution in the heart of Orange Mound. This event is free and open to the public.
February 9, 2018
Duty of the Hour Screening, Orange Mound
Friday, February 5, 2018, 9:30–10:30 am | Orange Mound Community Center, 2572 Park Avenue, Memphis, TN
Join the Hooks Institute for a documentary screening of Duty of the Hour, a documentary film about civil rights activist Benjamin L. Hooks in the heart of Orange Mound, followed by a Q & A session. This event is open to the public.
February 5, 2018
Duty of the Hour Screening, Hooks African American Male Initiative
Monday, February 5, 2018, 12:30 PM | University Center Theatre, The University of Memphis
Join the Hooks Institute and Hooks African American Male Initiative Students for a documentary screening of Duty of the Hour, a documentary film about civil rights activist Benjamin L. Hooks. This event is open to all UofM staff, faculty and students.
January 24, 2018
Civil Rights Law: Then and Now
Wednesday, January 24, 2018, 5:00 PM | McWherter Library, 1st Floor Rotunda
Moderator Daphene R. McFerren, Executive Director Hooks Institute.
Co-Sponsored by the Benjamin L. Hooks Institute for Social Change.
In honor of MLK50, the University of Memphis Libraries will host a discussion of civil rights law led by attorneys Charles Newman and Alexander Wharton, sponsored by the Benjamin L. Hooks Institute for Social Change. Charles Newman represented Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. just before his assassination in 1968. Alexander Wharton joined the family firm in Memphis in September 2010, where he currently concentrates his practice in civil litigation.
To learn about additional MLK50 events, visit libguides.memphis.edu/mlk50 .
January 23, 2018
MLK50 Open Mic Night & Protest Poster Kickoff
Wednesday, January 17, 2018, 4:00 PM | McWherter Library, 1st Floor Rotunda
Hosted by Beverly Robertson, former director of the National Civil Rights Museum,
Join the University Libraries in honoring the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Share your own stories, poems or favorite readings from Dr. King or hear others share theirs while creating your own protest poster. For more information contact Rachel Scott a rescott3@memphis.edu or 901-678-3896.
Co-sponsored by the Benjamin L. Hooks Institute for Social Change.
January 19, 2018
Reception Honoring Dr. Julianne Malveaux
Friday, January 19, 2018, 7–8 pm | University of Memphis, University Center - 1st Floor Atrium
Cosponsored by the Benjamin L. Hooks Institute for Social Change.