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2023 Civil & Human Rights Symposium theme: Level Up for Justice: Press Start
About the Event
Everyone begins the game of life from different starting points, and many people from marginalized communities often start with additional barriers. How can we adequately equip ourselves to create equitable outcomes? How can individual players get involved in “multiplayer” work? No matter where we are in our own journey for social justice, this year’s Civil & Human Rights Symposium aims to provide ways we can advance to the next level and find solutions where everyone wins. We have organized three symposium tracks based on that belief:
- Process Your Power: Women's Rights,
- Dynamics of Disability Rights,
- Voices from our Youth: LGBTQ+ and Refugee and Immigrant Youth Voices
Additionally, there will be two panel discussions facilitated by members of the
City of Des Moines Youth Advisory Board centered around the importance of youth mentorship and environmental justice/climate action.
The 2023 symposium will take place at Drake University Olmsted Center on Friday, October 27 from 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
Access the "bonus level" by attending the Symposium kick-off event on Thursday, October 26 from 6:30-7:30 p.m. at Franklin Avenue Library! Join nationally acclaimed artist and educator, Emmett Phillips, Jr. for an interactive and engaging workshop to hear original spoken word, participate in thought provoking exercises, and learn about some innovation happening in the social justice and DEI space!
Contact us at humanrights@dmgov.org for more information.
Symposium AGENDA
No matter where we are in our own journey for social justice, this year’s Civil & Human Rights Symposium aims to provide ways we can advance to the next level and find solutions where everyone wins. We have organized three symposium tracks based on that belief:
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- Process Your Power: Women’s Rights
- Dynamics of Disability Rights
- Voices from our Youth: LGBTQ+ and Refugee and Immigrant Youth Voices
There will also be two 45-minute panel discussions on the importance of youth mentorship and environmental justice/climate action facilitated by members of the City of Des Moines Youth Advisory Board. *Agenda subject to change
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8:00 - 8:45
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Doors open, registration, and breakfast |
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8:50 - 9:05
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Opening:
- Welcome from Des Moines Civil & Human Rights
- Land Acknowledgement
- Welcome from the City of Des Moines and Drake University
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9:05 - 9:20
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Transition
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9:20 - 10:35
Panel discussion:
9:20-10:05
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SESSION 1
- Process Your Power: Women's Rights track:
Indigenous Women are the Walking Embodiment of a Social Impact Strategy, Sikowis (Christine) Nobiss and Jessica Engelking, Great Plains Action Society
- Dynamics of Disability Rights track:
Feel the Power of the Disability Vote, Piper Haugan, Katelynn Schultz, and Ezekiel Quattlebaum, Disability Rights Iowa
- Voices from our Youth track - LGBTQ+ Youth Voices:
"It's Dangerous To Go Alone!": The Power of Allies and Partnerships for Effective Student Organizing, Hannah Mitchell and Rebekah Schurz, Iowa Safe Schools
Panel discussion: Make it Happen, Make it Better: Building for the Future through Youth Mentorship, facilitated by Angelina Dang and Alontae Gross, Des Moines Youth Advisory Board
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10:35 - 10:50
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Transition
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10:50 - 11:10
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Awards
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11:10 - 12:30
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Keynote Presentation: Play, Power, and Politics: A Tutorial on Games for Social Impact, Ashlyn Sparrow, University of Chicago
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12:30 - 1:15
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Lunch
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1:30 - 2:45
Panel discussion:
1:30-2:15
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SESSION 2
- Process Your Power: Women's Rights track:
Amplifying Voices: Recognizing Doulas as Family Advocates, Ebonie Bailey and Ashley Garrin, Iowa Black Doula Collective
- Dynamics of Disability Rights track:
Lemons, Limb Differences and Leveling Up, Beth Shelton, Girl Scouts of Greater Iowa
- Voices from our Youth track - Refugee and Immigrant Youth Voices:
[Session info TBD], Valley RISE, facilitated by Manisha Paudel (Chief Equity Officer, City of Des Moines), and Natalia Guerra-Cerón (Des Moines Youth Advisory Board)
Panel discussion: Our Environment: The Threats and Solutions, facilitated by Hannah Hayes and Kathleen Loder
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2:45 - 3:00
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Transition |
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3:00 - 4:00
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Endnote: Level Up: Your Story is a Secret Weapon, Caleb Rainey
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4:00 - close
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Closing remarks
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Symposium KEYNOTE
Ashlyn Sparrow is the Assistant Director of the Weston Game Lab at the University of Chicago where she teaches undergraduate, graduate and K-12 students how to design their own games while uncovering the sociopolitical implications of their designs. Through WGL, she has developed a series of alternate reality games including Indiecade award-winning game Terrarium, A Labyrinth, and Echo. In addition to her work at WGL, she works as a game designer and programmer in Chicago, having worked on Oni Fighter Yasuke for Waking Oni Games. In her previous role as the Learning Technology Director of the Game Changer Chicago Design Lab, Ashlyn was (and still is) devoted to creating game-based health interventions supported by funding from the National Institutes of Health and the National Science Foundation. During her tenure she designed and led the production of The Source, S.E.E.D, Hexacago Health Academy, Bystander, and Prognosis.
Website: ashlynsparrow.com
Symposium REGISTRATION
The event is now over. Check back here for 2024 details!
Tickets: $25
This event is free for students and for those seeking scholarship for a financial hardship exemption. To claim student status or financial hardship exemption, please email humanrights@dmgov.org or call 515-283-4284 for a registration access code.
Symposium KICK-OFF EVENT
The symposium kick-off event workshop will be facilitated by Emmett Phillips, Jr. on Thursday, October 26 from 6:30-7:30 p.m. at Franklin Avenue Library.
About the event:
Art As Activism: DEI Through Creative Eyes
The purpose of art is to build empathy and the purpose of activism is to evoke change. What happens when these essential elements are intentionally weaved into DEI training? Maybe a hard truth is easier to digest in the form of a poem? Maybe the best way to illustrate an injustice is through role-playing? Join nationally acclaimed artist and educator, Emmett Phillips Jr., for an interactive and engaging exploration of these possibilities! Come prepared to listen to the original spoken word, participate in thought provoking exercises, and learn about some innovation happening in the social justice and DEI space!
About the facilitator:
Emmett Saah Phillips, Jr. is a professional stage actor, poet, Hip Hop artist, and educator based in Des Moines, Iowa. His passion is to use performance art as a vehicle for social justice, self empowerment, and community engagement. His impactful work in arts, education, and community activism earned him a feature article in the January/February 2023 issue of DSM Magazine, as one of four “up-and-coming 20-somethings” that are making positive changes in Des Moines. Emmett works as a Youth Navigator at Oakridge Neighborhood, a Cultural Ambassador with CultureAll, and a teaching artist with the Des Moines Art Center. Though Emmett has been committed to community service and education for over 10 years, he has continued to make strides in his career as a professional artist. He has starred in plays such as The Piano Lesson and A Raisin in the Sun with Pyramid Theatre Company, Holes with Des Moines Playhouse, and Akeelah and the Bee with Des Moines Young Artists Theatre. He was also commissioned to create and perform an original poem at the 2022 World Food Prize Laureate Award Ceremony live on Iowa PBS in front of an international audience. Emmett is dedicated to artistic excellence and uplifting each community he serves with love and intentionality.
Symposium AWARDS
Nominations for the Symposium Awards are now open through 5 p.m. on October 3! Each year, local leaders, activists, and organizations are honored with a Des Moines Civil & Human Rights award. Awardees must be located within Polk County, Iowa, and will be honored during the symposium on October 27, 2023.
Click here to learn more and submit a nomination!
Symposium SPONSORS
If you are interested in being a sponsor please see the following form to be filled out and sent to humanrights@dmgov.org. Please contact our office at (515) 283-4284 for sponsorship questions.
Thank you to our sponsors:
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| Mid-Iowa Health Foundation |
| West Des Moines Human Rights Commission |
| DMACC |
Iowa City Office of Equity & Human Rights
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Des Moines Metro Credit Union
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Symposium PARKING AND TRANSPORTATION
All attendees are required to display a parking pass when parking on the Drake University campus. A pass will be sent via email. Free parking will be available in Lot 1, 1A, 24, and the lot west of Lot 24 at University Ave and 29th St.
Click here to view the parking map
DART will provide free public transportation to Symposium attendees on Friday, October 27. Attendees can simply show their event registration to the bus operator upon boarding to ride free that day. The Drake University Olmsted Center is accessible on DART Local Routes 3, 5, and 60. Plan your bus trip at: https://www.ridedart.com/mydart/trip-planner
