Students at the LBJ School of Public Affairs at The University of Texas at Austin will pay tribute to the life and legacy of former congresswoman, distinguished public servant and teacher Barbara Jordan during the 22nd annual Barbara Jordan National Forum (BJNF), Feb. 18–22, 2019. Citizenship and power are central to this year's signature, student-led weeklong program, whose theme, "Extending the Power of the People," is inspired by Jordan's words:
"We believe that the people are the source of all governmental power; that the authority of the people is to be extended, not restricted."
Feb. 10–Feb. 16
The Barbara Jordan Freedom Foundation is displaying an interactive exhibit of Barbara Jordan's life at the Texas Capitol.
Tuesday, Feb. 12
Dr. Peniel Joseph, founding director of the Center for the Study of Race and Democracy at The University of Texas at Austin and Barbara Jordan Chair in Ethics and Political Values at the LBJ School of Public Affairs, participated in a special media preview as the media representative of the Barbara Jordan exhibit on Tuesday, Feb. 12, 9 a.m.–Noon.
Monday, Feb. 18
Event: "Policy on the Rocks"
Hosts: Pride Policy Alliance and GPAC
Guests: Danielle Skidmore, a transportation engineer and transgender woman who ran for the District 9 seat of the Austin City Council in 2018, and Alicia Roth Wiegel, a Texas-based policy, advocacy and campaign strategist and intersex advocate
Location: The Butterfly Bar Austin, 2307 Manor Rd., Austin, TX 78722
Time: 5:15–6:15 p.m.
Tuesday, Feb. 19
Event: "Be The Next Barbara Jordan"
This panel puts students face to face with elected officials to share insight on what it looks like to run for office and serve, and to inspire students to take what they've learned and enter the political realm.
Hosts: Feminist Policy Alliance and Pride Policy Alliance
Guests: Rep. Jessica González (D-104), Rep. Vicki Goodwin (D-47), Rep. Shawn Thierry (D-146), and Monica Gomez (political director, Annie's List).
Location: Room 3.122
Time: 12:15–1:45 p.m.
Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/be-the-next-barbara-jordan-tickets-56443957396
Tuesday, Feb. 19
Event: Screening of "Traffic Stop," a documentary about the violent arrest of Austin schoolteacher Breaion King
Participants: The screening will be followed by a panel discussion with Ms. King, her attorney, Erica Grigg, and directors David Heilbroner and Kate Davis, and moderated by the LBJ School's Michele Deitch.
Location: Texas State Capitol, 1100 Congress Ave., Austin, TX 78701, Capitol Extension Auditorium – E1.004.
Time: Tuesday, Feb. 19; doors open at 5:30 p.m., film begins at 6 p.m.
This event is free and open to the public.
Wednesday, Feb. 20
Event:"Her Voice Stirred the Nation"
Host: PAACC
Guests: Virginia Cumberbatch, director of the Community Engagement Center (CEC) at the Division of Diversity and Community Engagement (DDCE) at UT and Kahron Spearman of the Austin Chronicle, moderated by Dr. Peniel Joseph
Time: 12:15–1:45 p.m.
Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/o/public-affairs-alliance-for-communities-of-color-18821066645
Wednesday, Feb. 20
Event: "Being an Activist in Texas"
Time: 5:15 p.m.
Guests: Susana Almanza of PODER and Alejandrina Guzman, former UT student body president, others to be announced
Details: Facebook event
Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/being-an-activist-in-texas-tickets-56771985537?aff=ebdssbdestsearch
Thursday, Feb. 21
Event: Barbara Jordan Elementary School Book Drive
Event: Assembly at Barbara Jordan Elementary School
Speaker: Edwin Dorn, LBJ School professor and former dean
Location: 6711 Johnny Morris Rd., Austin, TX 78724
DONATE BOOKS
Thursday, Feb. 21
Event: The LBJ School of Public Affairs' Social Policy Network and Feminist Policy Alliance are honored to host a conversation on empowering women in politics.
Hosts: Social Policy Network and the Feminist Policy Alliance
Guests: Texas Rep. Ana-Maria Ramos (D-102), Melissa McRoy Shearer (Travis County mental health public defender), Rosie Trulove (City of Austin Neighborhood Housing and Community Development director) and Velva Price (Travis County district clerk)
Location: Bass Lecture Hall
Time: 12:15–1:30 p.m.
Register: womeninleadershiplbj.eventbrite.com
Lunch will be served.
Thursday, Feb. 21
Event: The LBJ School of Public Affairs' Social Policy Network and Feminist Policy Alliance are honored to host a conversation on empowering women in politics.
Hosts: Social Policy Network and the Feminist Policy Alliance
Guests: Texas Rep. Ana-Maria Ramos (D-102), Melissa McRoy Shearer (Travis County mental health public defender), Rosie Trulove (City of Austin Neighborhood Housing and Community Development director) and Velva Price (Travis County district clerk)
Location: Bass Lecture Hall
Time: 12:15–1:30 p.m.
Register: womeninleadershiplbj.eventbrite.com
Lunch will be served.
Monday, Feb. 25
Event: Barbara Jordan National Forum Keynote: Dallas County District Attorney John Creuzot
Location: LBJ School lobby
Time: 12:15 p.m.
Details: District Attorney Creuzot is a retired judge and award-winning lawyer who has more than three decades of experience in the criminal justice system, including as a felony district court judge, Dallas County assistant district attorney and chief felony prosecutor, as well as a criminal defense lawyer in private practice. He took office in January with a new plan for criminal justice in his jurisdiction: to prosecute only violent criminals. For lesser offenses his office will seek alternatives and dismiss all first-time cases of marijuana possession in small amounts. Too many people who do not threaten public safety have ended up in jail, he said, which is too expensive. Registration is required.
Register: BJNF19keynote.eventbrite.com
Monday, Feb. 25
Event: "Looking Inside the Legislature: It's About Education!"
Host: Ed Emmett (MPAff '74), former Harris County Judge and member of the Texas House of Representatives (R–Houston)
Location: LBJ School, 2315 Red River St., Dean's Conference Room, third floor
Space is limited; registration is required.
Time: 5:15 p.m.
Details: In this third session of his exclusive "Inside the Texas Legislature" seminar series, Judge Emmett will discuss both the current Texas Legislature's priorities for education, and the influence and legacy of Barbara Jordan on education issues during her time at the Texas Capitol.
Register: txlege_education.eventbrite.com
Media contacts:
Susan Binford, susan.binford@austin.utexas.edu
Victoria Yu, victoriajyu@austin.utexas.edu