LASO Co-Sponsors Roots of Black Lives Matter Event

On Wednesday, January 13th, Black Lives Matter Founder Patrisse Cullors will address American University Students in MGC University Club beginning at 8:15 pm. This event is co-sponsored by The Darkening, Black Student Alliance, African Students Organization, Caribbean Circle, Latin American Students Organization, Student Advocates for Native Communities, and NAACP at AU. Patrisse Cullors is an African-American civil rights activist, and is one of the three founders of the international Black Lives Matter movement. Cullors is credited with creating the #BlackLivesMatter hashtag, and has utilized social media to grow the movements she works for and advance the causes she believes in. Alongside Black Lives Matter, Cullors is a founder of Dignity and Power Now, an organization devoted to the rights and well-being of incarcerated people and their families. She is the recipient of several distinguished awards, including a Fulbright Scholarship and the Mario Savio Young Activist of the Year award. Cullors will deliver opening remarks to the crowd, followed by a Q & A session with attending students. The event will be followed by a mini-fair involving the co-sponsoring organizations. As a queer woman of color, Cullors has spent her life fighting for marginalized communities across the nation. Her work is extremely important to the American University student body, as well as many American University student organizations. The Black Lives Matter movement is perhaps the most well-known current activist organization in the United States, and Cullors’ work in making their recognition and growth a reality will provide extremely beneficial insight to American University students who seek to improve their respective communities. This event is open to American University students and faculty. Limited seating will be available and will be provided on a first-come, first-serve basis. Seating will be reserved for members of student media.