The University YMCA announces the spring Friday Forum lecture series “Breaking Down Racism: Fighting Racial Injustice in the U.S.”
The series will kick off on Feb. 19 with “A Conversation with Opal Tometi,” one of the original founders of the Black Lives Matter movement. Recognized as a “New Civil Rights Leader for the 21st Century” by the Los Angeles Times, Tometi introduced the world to the Twitter hashtag and expanding network #BlackLivesMatter, along with Alicia Garza and Patrisse Cullors. The first lecture begins at noon at the Allen Hall main lounge, 1005 W. Gregory Drive, Urbana.
Friday Forum is a weekly lecture series held during the fall and spring semesters that strives to raise awareness about national and international trends and events. It has been running for more than 80 years at the University YMCA, adapting to the times while remaining committed to providing talks that address topics of relevance and urgency in society.
The full list of spring speakers is on the University YMCA website.
Unless otherwise noted, all lectures are on Fridays at noon in Latzer Hall of the University YMCA, 1001 S. Wright Street, Champaign.
A sign language interpreter is available with 72-hour notice. Contact Carol Nunn at 217-337-1500. All forums are broadcast at 6 p.m. on WEFT-FM (90.1) the Monday following the lecture. Friday Forum lectures also are archived on the Y's YouTube channel.
Additionally, the University YMCA invites the public to learn more about how communities are taking a stand. On Jan. 28, Art at the Y hosts the opening reception of the powerful exhibition “Unforgotten: Humanizing the Tragic Consequences of Gun Violence.” The exhibition is on view in the Y’s Murphy Gallery through February.