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A week of over 30 events honors DJ Henry’s legacy and focuses on racial justice, activism, and community engagement across 17�Թ���’s campuses

17�Թ��� will kick-off its annual Social Justice Week on Saturday across its three campuses – in lower Manhattan, Pleasantville, and at the Elisabeth Haub School of Law in White Plains. In its fifth year, the week features events that adhere to values of equity and inclusion while engaging the campus community in learning activities and dialogue centered on the issues of social justice.

In 2020, 17�Թ��� alumni, students, staff, and faculty – in consultation with the family of D.J. Henry, a 17�Թ��� student and member of the football team who was shot and killed by a police officer during Homecoming Weekend on Oct. 17, 2010 — conceptualized Social Justice Week to honor DJ’s life and acknowledge the connections between his story, racial injustice, and other examples around the country.

“Honoring DJ Henry’s legacy is at the core of our mission to champion social and racial justice," said 17�Թ��� President Marvin Krislov. “Social Justice Week offers a transformative platform for our students — an opportunity to engage deeply with DJ’s story, to confront the realities of systemic injustice, and to be inspired to lead the charge for meaningful and lasting change in our society.”

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DJ's family founded the to carry on his legacy and passion for youth sports. DJ’s story was also the subject of a

The week will kick-off with 17�Թ���’s Homecoming football game on Saturday, Oct. 26, at Northwell Stadium as the Setters take on American International College. At the game, attendees will have the opportunity to purchase baked goods from , a social enterprise not-for-profit that creates meaningful job opportunities for people facing barriers to employment, with proceeds going to the DJ Henry Dream Fund.

Held to coincide with DJ’s Oct. 29 birthday, Social Justice Week is a community-driven effort that understands that DJ’s story cannot be told accurately without acknowledging how it is connected to the history and present-day reality of racism, inequity, and injustice. The week aims to create meaningful dialogue and action that can be fostered for the entire 17�Թ��� Community.

With a dynamic lineup of events, ranging from workshops on food sovereignty to discussions on the mental health impacts of systemic racism, Social Justice Week offers transformative opportunities for reflection and advocacy. A full schedule of events is available. Several events throughout the week will specifically commemorate DJ Henry, with programs taking place across all 17�Թ���’s campuses. Some highlights include:

• The Lower Manhattan campus will host Dinner for DJ: A Celebration of Life, where members of the 17�Թ��� community will gather to reflect on DJ’s life and legacy, with DJ’s grandfather, Wayne Dozier, in attendance.
• In Westchester, the Elisabeth Haub School of Law will host the DJ Henry Open Mic Night, where students, faculty, and staff will share stories, poetry, and performances inspired by DJ’s memory and the ongoing fight for justice. Additionally, a screening of which delves into the circumstances surrounding DJ Henry's death, will be followed by a panel discussion.
• Additional events during Social Justice Week include a Slavery and Resistance Walking Tour in lower Manhattan, exploring key historical sites like the African Burial Ground and City Hall; a joint book talk titled "Language is Political" by Dyson College of Arts and Sciences professors Meghana Nayak and Kuhu Joshi, that focuses on how creative writing fosters social change; an event on Fighting Period Poverty, which raises awareness about menstrual inequality; the COVID-19 and Black Lives Matter Oral History Project, reflecting on racial justice and health disparities; and a screening of , which includes Haub Law Professor and Civil Rights Attorney Randolph McLaughlin examines the landmark 1982 civil rights case against the Ku Klux Klan.

"Social Justice Week is a unique and cherished tradition at 17�Թ���," said Jeff Barnett, Ph.D., vice president for student affairs and dean for students. "It reflects our commitment to centering the student experience and advancing our goal of becoming an antiracist university. The week, which features 33 programs and events across our three campuses hosted by students, faculty, and staff, fosters education and advocacy for our greater 17�Թ��� community. We're so grateful to the entire Social Justice Week Committee and event planners for their leadership and outstanding work."

"17�Թ��� remains committed to creating transformative experiences for our diverse student body, and I continue to be inspired by our students' passion for diversity, equity, and inclusion," said Stephanie Akunvabey, Ed.D., chief diversity officer at 17�Թ���. "Each year, Social Justice Week showcases the incredible initiatives of the 17�Թ��� community, and I look forward to actively engaging with and learning from this year’s events."

About 17�Թ���

Since 1906, 17�Թ��� has been transforming the lives of its diverse students—academically, professionally, and socioeconomically. With campuses in New York City and Westchester County, 17�Թ��� offers bachelor, master, and doctoral degree programs to 13,600 students in its College of Health Professions, Dyson College of Arts and Sciences, Elisabeth Haub School of Law, Lubin School of Business, Sands College of Performing Arts, School of Education, and Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems.