Reimagining Action: Roosevelt’s Social Justice & Advocacy Day Centers Community, Dialogue and Impact

At Roosevelt University, social justice is not an abstract concept. It is a lived commitment rooted in dialogue, action and community partnerships. That commitment was on full display during Social Justice & Advocacy Day 2026, where students, faculty, alumni and community partners gathered to explore how advocacy can shape a more equitable future.

Held at the University's Chicago campus, the event invited attendees to reimagine how social justice is practiced both on campus and beyond, emphasizing collaboration, civic engagement and tangible pathways for change. The event was co-chaired by Assistant Vice President of Social Justice & Advocacy and Title IX Compliance Dr. Natasha Robinson, JD and Assistant Director for Student Engagement and Leadership Whitney Workman, MEd.

The day featured an Advocacy Fair connecting students with local and national organizations, reinforcing Roosevelt's long-standing mission to pair education with action. Throughout the event, conversations centered on how individuals can translate values into meaningful impact, whether through community organizing, policy work or grassroots initiatives.

A central highlight of the program was a fireside conversation between Dr. Robinson, Roosevelt students and alumnus Ernest Crim III, whose work as an educator and advocate has reached audiences nationwide. The discussion challenged attendees to think critically about the role of education in advancing equity and encouraged students to see themselves as active participants in shaping their communities. Throughout the conversation, Crim discussed his undergraduate experience and how his African American Studies professor encouraged his class to apply the curriculum beyond the classroom. The message was clear: "We ain't just in this to pass a test." Crim took that lesson into his own career as an educator, keenly aware of the changing media landscape with the introduction of social media, and how the relationship between student and teacher is symbiotic. Both Crim and Dr. Robinson emphasized how the best teachers understand their own limitations and are open to learning from their students' lived experiences.

Crim detailed his transition from full time educator to worldwide storyteller as being two-fold. Crim and his wife were the victim-survivors of a hate crime, the recording of which was his first social media post. That initial post went viral, and it was both that experience, as well as learning about the reach of social media platforms from his students, that inspired Crim to use the platforms to share the stories of Black history online. Speaking about the limitations of formal education, Crim says, "If ya'll not gon' pay attention to me, I'm gonna show up in your "For You" page."

Crim's reflections underscored the importance of storytelling, historical awareness and personal accountability in advocacy work. Drawing from his own experiences, he emphasized how education can serve as both a tool for empowerment and a responsibility to uplift others.

The conversation resonated strongly with students, many of whom are already engaged in service, research and activism across Roosevelt's academic programs. By connecting personal purpose with broader social movements, the event reinforced the University's role as a space where learning extends beyond the classroom.

Dr. Robinson highlighted the significance of creating spaces where dialogue leads to action. "Social Justice & Advocacy Day reflects Roosevelt's ongoing commitment to fostering critical conversations and empowering students to become agents of change," Robinson said.

Whitney Workman emphasized the importance of community partnerships in sustaining that work. "By bringing together students and organizations, we are building connections that extend learning into real-world impact," Workman said.

Together, these themes of connection, reflection and action defined the day's programming. From the Advocacy Fair to the fireside conversation, the event demonstrated how Roosevelt continues to center social justice as a core part of its identity.

As students left the event, they carried forward not only new insights, but also a renewed sense of responsibility. Social Justice & Advocacy Day served as a reminder that advocacy begins with awareness, but it is sustained through collective effort and continued engagement.

At Roosevelt, that work continues long after the event concludes.

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