The 2019 Social Justice Summit

Roger Ebert once said “ the movies are like a machine that generates empathy. It lets you understand a little bit more about different hopes, aspirations, dreams and fears. It helps us to identify with the people who are sharing this journey with us .” 

It is with a similar philosophy that we started the Milwaukee Social Justice Summit, a two day activation at Nō Studios and Marquette University on November 15th and 16th of 2019. The purpose of the summit was to bring together artists of different disciplines who use their talent and vision to create works that don't merely entertain, alongside activists, organizers and social engineers practiced in implementing real world solutions to social issues.

5

Film Screenings

7

Days of Programming

22

Panelists

40

Social Justice Story Award Submissions
Mission Statement
Our desire is to help people build networks, to encourage ongoing conversation, and expand the circle of people who want to identify social issues, and match them with organizations and individuals skilled in solving those problems. The underlying causations and results of bias, poverty, and disenfranchisement.... are sadly universal. Many people in many places face them, endure them, and overcome them. If we, too, as a people unite, then we too as a people can overcome. 

People who are united are people who are elevated. If you are interested in joining our effort to bring awareness and propose solutions to social justice issues, please click here to join our online community, where you can connect with others interested in social justice issues, engage in conversation, and be the first to learn any updates from Nō Studios: Art Activated.
Master of Ceremonies
Kweku Ramel Akyirefi Smith was born and raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He is a proud product of Milwaukee Public Schools. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, and later completed his Masters of Science in Educational Psychology and Doctorate of Philosophy in Urban Education, at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. 

Since 2007, Dr. Smith has been the President of BLAQUESMITH Psychological Consultative Services, LLC. In this capacity, he conducts workshops, seminars and presentations with professional sports teams, governmental agencies, corporate entities, community organizations and educational institutions. A fierce advocate for social justice and community empowerment; Dr. Smith is regularly asked, to provide commentary on issues of mental health, foster care, human trafficking, trauma and performance. Currently the host of Unspeakable Truths, a weekly program airing Saturdays at 7am on channel 24 in Milwaukee,WI; Dr. Smith strives to speak truth in a manner which informs and empowers his community to make positive changes that will ultimately result in better outcomes for all.
2019 Panels
    • Raising Peace Ambassadors
    CHILDREN OF PEACE, UGANDA is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the wellbeing and empowerment of former child soldiers, children born in captivity, and children orphaned by the two decades of armed conflict in Northern Uganda (1986-2006). The focus is to rebuild the capacity of former child soldiers, child mothers and children born in captivity through a holistic approach, addressing the unique challenges of these children and providing psychosocial support, education, livelihood support and advocacy, which improves their quality of life and empowers the children to be peace leaders in their community. Together, we dream of spiritual, psychological and physical rehabilitation for children traumatized by the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA).
    Learn More
    In the News

    Social Justice Summit in PBS Black Nouveau

    By Kerr Consulting • 07 Jan, 2020
    In this episode of Milwaukee PBS Black Nouveau, viewers are taken to the new "Black Veterans Mural" at the War Memorial Center, and the No Studio's First Inaugural Social Justice Summit.

    Social Justice Summit featured on MSNBC Morning Joe

    By Kerr Consulting • 13 Nov, 2019
    Nō Studios founder and CEO John Ridley discusses an upcoming social justice summit in Milwaukee at Marquette University.
    Thank You

    To our sponsor, partners, and participating organizations, we thank you so much for your contributions to the Social Justice Summit, 2019. Special thanks to The American Family Institute for Corporate and Social Impact, The Milwaukee Bucks and Participant Media, and of course, our many panelists and moderators for sharing your stories and your passion for change.

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