2024 Events

October 17

Community Reinvestment Act Luncheon Hosted by Pinnacle Financial Partners at Hooks Institute

October 10 - 29

The Frances Dancy Hooks Social Change Art Award and Exhibition

The Theme: The Beauty of Change

Change can be difficult, but it can also be beautiful.

The Benjamin L. Hooks Institute for Social Change invites you to experience art exploring this idea. This exhibit features the works of Memphis-based artists who are finalists for the Frances Dancy Hooks Art Award.

Featured artists include: Gabrielle Yasmeen, Myia Michelle, Lunarely, Michelle Le, Jessi Ujazi, Allyssa Martin, Carrie Veil, Bryant Walker, D.Weaver, and Sarah Wright.

The exhibit was held in the Dr. Ralph Faudree Exhibit Space in the Benjamin L. Hooks Institute for Social Change on the 11th floor of Wilder Tower. 

The Benjamin L. Hooks Institute for Social Change extends its sincere gratitude to the following members of the volunteer selection committee: Lurlynn Franklin, Artist and Educator; Lakiesha Edwards, Executive Director, Urban Art Commission; and Dr. Richard Lou, Artist and Faculty, University of Memphis Department of Art and Design.

Contact amy.ruggaber@memphis.edu with questions. 

Aug. 16 - Nov. 8

'Uplift the Vote' Exhibit on Displayed in the McWherter Library on UofM Central Campus

The Benjamin L. Hooks Institute for Social Change at the University of Memphis invited the public to experience the return of its acclaimed exhibit, "Uplift the Vote," which returned to its original location in the rotunda of the Ned McWherter Library on the Central Campus of the University. This dual exhibit has toured extensively in Western TN and is focused on both the historical and contemporary importance of our most basic civil right: the right to vote.

Historical context on the urgency and importance of voting is given through an exploration of the Fayette County “Tent City” Civil Rights Movement of the late 1950s and 1960s. Using photographs, documents and reflections primarily collected by the activists and their families, visitors learn how Fayette County African Americans' demand for the right to vote changed their lives, the community and ultimately, the nation.  

Visitors can also learn information about current Tennessee voter registration laws, and non-partisan best practices on how to research candidates, issues and prepare to cast one’s ballot in an election.  

The exhibit was displayed in the rotunda of the Ned McWherter Library on the UofM campus from Friday, Aug. 16 through Friday, Nov. 8. 

About the "Uplift the Vote" Exhibit

Fayette County, Tenn., 1959: The African American community faces Jim Crow laws, intimidation and violence in their efforts to register to vote. The New York Times described the movement in Fayette County as "the longest sustained civil rights protest in the nation." During that movement, African Americans worked to increase registered voters and demanded fair elections, integration of public facilities and equal access to economic opportunities. 

First designed for display on the University of Memphis campus in 2018, the “Uplift the Vote” exhibit has become a popular touring exhibition for the Hooks Institute, traveling to Fayette and Haywood counties to educate students and community members about their own grassroots Civil Rights Movement. Additionally, it has inspired a second exhibit, now on display at the Memphis International Airport, which focuses on powerful images of the movement captured by LIFE Magazine photographer Art Shay. Lauded as an excellent example of historical context spurring contemporary action, many UofM students have registered to vote standing right beside the installation.    

The Benjamin L. Hooks Institute for Social Change extends its sincere gratitude to the following sponsors of this exhibit: OMO Energy & Technology, Inc.; the UofM's African and African American History program, Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law, Department of History, Department of Political Science, Student Government Association, Department of Theatre & Dance and University of Memphis Libraries. 

APRIL 11

Brown v. Board of Education: 70 Years Later, Where Will Memphis and the Nation Go Next?

On April 11, 2024, the Benjamin L. Hooks Institute for Social Change hosted a conference to examine the legacy of the Brown v. Board of Education (1954). In one of the most important decisions in the nation’s history, the U.S. Supreme Court held that the separate but equal doctrine that had been the law of the land violated the Equal Protection Clause of the 14^th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution by relegating African American children to second-class citizenship by forcing them to attend segregated schools.

While this decision had a profound impact on helping to eradicate discrimination in all spheres of American life, this conference will examine the impact of the Brown decision on creating equity in education for marginalized groups in Memphis and America Today. 

The conference was held Thurs. April 11, 2024, starting at 10 am in the University Center on the University of Memphis campus. The Hon. Catherine Lhamon, Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education delivered the plenary address and Tona Boyd, Associate Director-Counsel of the Legal Defense Fund of the NAACP (New York) delivered the keynote address.

A panel of professionals in education, law, and policy discussed the current state of the quest for racial justice and educational equity. Additionally, a special panel of youth representatives and future professionals gave voice to contemporary experiences of diversity in schooling, racial and educational justice.

This conference was designed to appeal to the legal and education community as well as policymakers and students.

CLICK HERE FOR CONFERENCE PAGE

February 27

Hooks National Book Award Presentation and Guest Lecture 

Hattiloo Theatre

37 S Cooper Street, Memphis, TN 38104 

Thursday, February 27, 2024 | 6pm