The inaugural speaker in the series will be Dr. Stefan M. Bradley, Chair of the Black Studies Department at Amherst College. 

Time and again, Black youth have rescued American democracy. In the struggle for their freedom rights, young, impatient Black people of the past pressed the nation to honor the Constitution. Award-winning author, educator, and leader Stefan M. Bradley will highlight historical links between the courageous agents of change who activated in the 1960s and those young leaders of the 21stcentury who challenged the nation’s conscience after the police-involved deaths of their peers. Focusing on what he asserts is “Ground Zero” of the modern Black Freedom Movement, Professor Bradley will discuss findings from his forthcoming book, If We Don’t Get It: A People’s History of Ferguson (The New Press 2025).