Join us for the fourth annual Organized Radical Collegiate Activism (ORCA) Conference held on Friday, January 24, 2019. This unique student-led conference aims to address the challenges and advantages of doing social justice advocacy work on (and through) Alabama campuses. Through this conference, students will have an opportunity to share and present with their peers across the state of Alabama on advocacy work that students have done on different campuses to tackle social justice issues addressing one or more of the conference themes: Challenges, advantages, issues, and/or organizing of student activism, advocacy, or how to incorporate social justice into campus work on Alabama campuses to relay that social justice has no boundaries. Students will share their experiences and work through session presentations (workshops, panels, etc.) to so that you can translate what you learn to your own campus and community.
All current Alabama undergraduate, graduate and professional students are eligible to register and attend. Whether you want to just start or want to grow in your campus advocacy, this is a great opportunity to gain skills, knowledge and resources! Click on the tabs below for more information.
There is no cost for this conference and includes conference swag, breakfast and lunch.
Registration is open! Click HERE to register!
When
Date: Friday, January 24, 2020
Time: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM (Breakfast and Lunch Provided)
Where
The University of Alabama at Birmingham
Hill Student Center
1400 University Blvd.
Birmingham, Alabama 35233
Conference Information
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TIME SESSION PRESENTER 9:00 – 9:55 Employer Breakfast Various Employers & UAB Career Center 10:00– 10:10 Welcome Social Justice Advocacy Council 10:15 – 11:05 Session 1 Block
Getting Ready- How Social Justice is Present in Multiple Disciplines
Pranav Kakulamarri - Pioneering a New Pathway: Tackling Food Insecurity
Valerie Spearman & Madison MeGahee - 4 Rs of Social Justice
Andrew Cho - Defining Abortion Medically, Politically, and Societally
Shreya Pokhrel, Ari Villanueva, & Michaela Brook - The State of Incarceration
Eli Tylicki & Bella Tylicki - For the Love of Money: The Case Against Black Capitalism
Eric Davis
11:10 – 12:00 Session 2 Block
Building Community- How Being a Resident Assistant Lays the Building Blocks of Social Justice
Jace Baines - The Role of Immigrants in Social Justice Advocacy in America
Tooni Oyewusi - Social Discourse: It’s Okay to Disagree
Michael Elridge - The Mandate: The Repression of Black Voices
Kameryn Thigpen - SafeZone 101
SafeZone –
12:00 – 12:30 Lunch & Resource Fair Ballroom C&D 12:40 – 1:30 Session 3 Block
Creating Change- Let Freedom Ring For Real: We Need Prison Abolition
Eric Davis - UAB Human Rights Trail
Hanh Huynh, Shreya Pokhrel, Renuka Srivastava, & Kameryn Thigpen - Active Minds: Mental Health, Art, and Storytelling
Victoria Chen, Vani Mittal, & Elizabeth Pollard - Reproductive Health on Small Campuses: The Process of Defining and Demanding Justice
Sophie Herrington & Jackie Lamars - ACCS Safe Zone Training
Adam Patterson & Caitlyn Smith - Social Justice & Spoken Word
Jeannette Bender
1:40 – 2:45 Keynote Bushra Amiwala 2:45 – 3:00 Closing Ballroom C&D - How Social Justice is Present in Multiple Disciplines
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Bushra Amilwala is the Youngest Muslim Elected Official in the United States and a college student. She is known as Glamour Magazine's College Woman of the Year, Seventeen Magazine's Voice of the Year, Internationally as CosmoGirl's Change Maker of the Year, on HerCampus' 22 Under 22 Most Inspiring Woman list, was on the cover of TIME, plus more.
She is also the female candidate in the pilot episode for RUN The Series, and there is a documentary coming out about her on Netflix in October 2020 called "And She Could be Next." We are excited to welcome Bushra Amiwala to ORCA! -
FAQs
Who can attend this conference?
All students who currently attend an Alabama college or university are welcome to register and attend this conference. Click the Register tab to register today!
Who can attend the Equity, Inclusion, and Employment breakfast?
Only UAB students are able to register for the Equity, Inclusion, and Employment breakfast. However, all students are welcome to enjoy the FREE continental breakfast provided before the sessions.
I missed the deadline, can I still attend?
Yes! We welcome on-site registration, but please understand that food and swag are not guaranteed.
Do I have to be a student leader or a current activist to attend?
No! Whether you are just starting out or want to expand your knowledge and resource base in social justice, this conference is for you. We have a variety of sessions to address different issues and provide different resources
Is there a cost to attend this event?
Nope! This conference is FREE and it includes breakfast and lunch).
What is the theme of this year's conference?
Our theme is #IgniteInclusivity. This year, our presenters will continue to explore and address the challenges and advantages of activism on campus. You will have the opportunity to experience a day going through the Cycle of Liberation through various participation in various workshops.
You will have the opportunity to learn about a variety of social justice issues and what you can do to get involved on your campus. Also, we want to highlight that social justice has no boundaries, meaning activism can be done in a variety of different ways and can pertain to a variety of different issues. We hope you leave inspired to create change on your campus and #IgniteInclusivity!
How do I get to UAB Hill Student Center?
The Hill Student Center is located at 1400 University Blvd, Birmingham, AL 35235. The conference will take place on the third floor of this building. Please check-in at the registration tables located directly in front of the elevators on the third floor when you arrive.
Where do I park?
Parking is available in Lot 5A, adjacent to the Hill Student Center. It is $2.00 for the first hour and then each additional hour is $1.00 to a maximum of $6.00 per day, per exit. Metered parking is available on 14th Street and University Boulevard, surrounding the Hill Student Center. Meters have a maximum time limit of one and a half hours. Cost per half-hour is $.25.
What is SJAC?
The objective of the Social Justice Advocacy Council is to celebrate diversity of identity, broaden cultural understanding, encourage unity, empower marginalized and underrepresented groups, educate about identity-related issues, and promote intercultural interactions between all communities of people at The University of Alabama at Birmingham.
Who do I contact for disability accommodations?
For disability accommodations, contact Rebecca at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Direct questions to our Conference and Logistics Coordinator, Andrew, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. -
About SJAC
The objective of the Social Justice Advocacy Council is to celebrate diversity of identity, broaden cultural understanding, encourage unity, empower marginalized and underrepresented groups, educate about identity related issues, and promote intercultural interactions between all communities of people at The University of Alabama at Birmingham. It is divided into two boards. The affiliate board provides funding and resources to cultural and identity based student organizations. The programming board plans large scale events through the year to engage the students body.
Direct questions to our Conference and Logistics Coordinator Andrew at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..