NEWPORT NEWS, Va. — Bringing change is not easy, but a few activists and students hope their words and actions will be the start.
In the third annual Social Justice Conference at Christopher Newport University, people did not shy away from the divisive topics that have split the nation and the state. This includes climate change, education, discrimination and gun control.
"In order to fix a problem, you have to understand it," said Johnny Finch, an associate professor and organizer. "We hope that this will set the staging so that people can then forge the connections to do the real work."
Dozens of people showed up to the two-day conference. Finn said a majority of the activists come from Hampton Roads, but many are from across the state.
Some of the students who participated in the conference said it was something they waited months for.
"It's definitely the talk of campus," said Pheobe Salomon, a senior at CNU. "People have been coming in and out all day, and there are a lot of conversations happening around me."
As for the activists they said they will take what they learned back to their teams. Erica Spencer, with Hampton City Schools, said improving education is an ongoing discussion.
"It gives people a level of excitement, with how can I get involved, how can I be part of the change - how can I do this because this is our community, it's your neighbor it's the person who is going to be your next employee so we are shaping what the future looks like and all of us play a part in it," said Spencer.
The 2024 conference is over, but organizers said the next one is already in the planning stages.