At the eighth annual Social Justice Alliance (SJA) Symposium last Friday, members of Bowie State University (BSU) and the University of Maryland (UMD) gathered to both commemorate a life cut short and to look forward to a more just future.
The SJA was founded to honor the life and legacy of BSU student Lt. Richard W. Collins III, who was murdered by a UMD School of Public Health student in 2017. This year’s symposium theme, “Freedom Dreams and Radical Joy: Youth Voices in the Pursuit of a Just Society,” both remembers Lt. Collins and seeks to expand the conversation around social justice on UMD and BSU campuses today.
“We wanted to reflect a spirit of radical hope and youth-led movements which are shaping a more just, compassionate and liberated future,” said Dr. Jeanette Snider, director of the event and assistant research professor at UMD’s Department of Sociology.
UMD President Darryll Pines and BSU President Aminta H. Breaux spoke as well as Lt. Collins’ parents Dawn Collins and Richard Collins. There were also several conversations and performances during the symposium, including a panel discussion with CNN anchor Abby Phillips, licensed therapist Kier Gaines, creator and artist Lynae Vanee, poet Stevener Gaskin, BSU Student Giovanni Porrata and UMD junior SPH student Madison Diggs.
During the panel, Diggs discussed how UMD can better listen to Black students, pointing to the 25 Black student demands list that was created after Lt. Richard W. Collins III’s death. The list was taken down and reuploaded behind a firewall this year.
“Addressing misinformation and the demands of students means ensuring transparency about what has and has not been accomplished, while also creating space for ongoing dialogue,” Diggs said.
Diggs sees these discussions as a way to reflect on progress and find ways to move forward on key issues.
“In a time where there are a lot of factors dividing society as a whole, it was beautiful to see the symposium bring together people of different backgrounds under one common goal, which is to continue advocating for social justice and equity for all people,” Diggs said.
Another perspective at the symposium came from UMD public health practice and neuroscience senior Somtochukwu Eneje, who shared a video highlighting their experience engaging with different communities while studying abroad in Costa Rica.
The SJA supported development of the study abroad course, co-developed by SPH’s Dr. Amy Morgan and BSU’s Dr. Shanell Thomas.
“It was important to me that the video felt both informative and personal, showing not just what we did, but how it changed the way we think about health, equity, and community,’ Eneje said.
Beth Douthirt-Cohen, SJA board member and Head of Strategic Initiatives for Undergraduate Studies at SPH, spoke to how meaningful young voices are to the conversation on social justice.
“It was so powerful to hear how youth leadership can offer new ways to resist hatred--and offer us ways to better love ourselves and each other,” she said.
To stay updated with the Social Justice Alliance, visit the SJA Instagram.
— Rachel Kebler ‘27
