2021 Academic Festival Keynote: Loretta J. Ross
Calling In the Calling Out Culture
Wednesday April 7th at 10AM
We are excited to introduce you to this year’s keynote speaker Loretta J. Ross. Loretta lists herself as Activist, Professor, Public Intellectual, in that order – so I think that tells us which is closest to her heart. She started her activism in 1970 working against gentrification and the apartheid movement in South Africa. She joined the Women’s movement in 1979, began working at the first Rape Crisis Center in the country; thus, began her popular education and organizing work in the areas of human rights, reproductive justice, white supremacy, and women of color organizing.
In the 1990s, she researched and fought hate groups such as the KKK at the National Anti-Klan Network; and she founded an educational center for teaching people about their human rights with Rev. C.T. Vivian; Plus, she co-founded SisterSong Reproductive Justice Collective in 1997.
Further, she is a principal partner with 14th Strategies Consultants, dedicated to providing expertise and assistance to organizations and Universities as they address ongoing critical issues, including Calling Out and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
Loretta is a Professor at Smith College, which has been at the forefront in creating a diverse student body, and dealing with all of the issues that concern Loretta. She teaches about the Call-out Culture (about which we will hear momentarily) and white supremacy (about which we have heard too much lately).
Finally, she is a Public Intellectual, writing, speaking, training, and consulting on these critical topics.
With it all, she has authored many articles and books on the problems our society is confronting, with a work soon to come out later this year on the topic she will address with us: Calling In the Calling Out Culture