The #BlackLivesMatter movement was founded in 2013 by Alicia Garza, Patrisse Cullors and Opal Tomenti as a call to action after the death of Trayvon Martin (2012) at the hands of George Zimmerman who was acquitted of charges in 2013. On February 10, The Newark Public Library’s 3rd annual Black Lives Matter-Newark panel discussion will examine how we got here and the systemic challenges our families and communities consistently face. Panelists will provide action steps to help repair the damage and prepare for the future.

Confirmed Panelists: Lori Scott-Pickens, Director, community Outreach, School of Criminal Justice, Rutgers University-Newark (Moderator); Robert L. Johnson, MD, FAAP, The Sharon and Joseph L. Muscarelle Endowed Dean, Rutgers, New Jersey Medical School; Fatimah Loren Muhammad, Director Trauma Advocacy Initiative, Equal Justice USA; Demelza Baer, Senior Counsel and director of the New Jersey Institute for Social Justice’s Economic Mobility Initiative.