The African American Policy Forum (AAPF) hosts its annual Social Justice Writers Workshop this coming June 16- 30, 2008. The goal of the Workshop is to bring together a community of like-minded scholars and advocates to provide critical feedback on both individual research and AAPF work projects designed to advance social justice. This exchange of ideas plays a critical role in enhancing the publications of attendees as well as the productivity of AAPF’s various programs. This will be the third time AAPF has hosted this Workshop in
The retreat is among the most important and valuable activities that AAPF facilitates in order to bridge scholarly research and public discourse pertaining to social justice. As a conveyor of information between the academy and civil society, AAPF recognizes the importance of developing environments in which ideas can be hatched, nurtured, and readied for “prime time.”
Although many of the participants work in academic institutions and social justice networks, AAPF realizes that existing institutional settings do not always provide the most fertile terrain for the development of ideas to advance scholar’s and activist’s projects. Consequently, AAPF seek to create environments built around broadly shared values and visions of society in order to support and sustain this work.
Toward this end, the AAPF organized this Workshop to provide individuals with an opportunity to spend focused time to both write and to brainstorm with a community of intellectuals and advocates in a pleasant, hassle-free environment. This relaxed setting should make the Workshop conducive to the production of work which participants will share with others during the workshop. AAPF’s principle goals are to ensure that all participants will have an opportunity to get feedback and suggestions on their ongoing projects in a supportive group setting.
The AAPF team is excited beyond measure about this Workshop and pleased to be able to facilitate this intellectual opportunity. The feedback
Even informal get-togethers will provide a chance to discuss a range of topics that will stimulate and inspire the participants’ writings.
AAPF looks forward to hosting the following to this year’s workshop: Arcus Foundation’s Senior Program Officer Alvin Starks, ACLU attorney Chandra Bhatnagar, George Washington Law School professor Paul Butler, Pauline Brooks, DePaul University College of Law professor Sumi Cho, Staff Attorney and Soros Justice Fellow at The Legal Aid Society Sunita Patel and UCLA School of Law professors Cheryl Harris, Devon Carbado and Russell Robinson.
Participants from last year’s Writers Workshop with AAPF Executive Director Kimberle Crenshaw