FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 1, 2020
Courtney Tipper
Shelby County Government
Interim Public Information Officer
Office: 901.222.2322
Mobile: 901.481.3422
SHELBY COUNTY PARTNERS WITH THE SOUTHERN REGION OF
THE URBAN LEAGUE TO HOST “SOUTHERN JUSTICE SUMMIT”
The virtual summit takes aim at police brutality, the prison system, and re-entry reform.
MEMPHIS, TN – On July 14, 2020, Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris and Memphis Urban League President Tonja Sesley-Baymon will partner with six chapters of the Urban League to host the Southern Justice Summit. The all-day, completely virtual summit will highlight successful criminal justice programs and policies that have been adopted in communities across the South.
Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris: “This moment in our history is an opportunity for us to have a serious conversation about the racist attitudes and broken systems that are disproportionately affecting black families. With over half of black Americans residing in the South, we want to shine a spotlight on what is working and what can be done better so that when they write history books about what we do today, the South will be on the right side.”
Memphis Urban League President Tonja Sesley-Baymon: “Far too often, we witness the inappropriate actions and racism of authority figures and law enforcement that Blacks have endured for generations. Today, America stands at a crossroad. Do we have the will and determination to rise above 400 years of bigotry and racism? Are we ready to guarantee justice for all of us? This summit serves as an opportunity to acknowledge that in the midst of racially motivated violence that plagues our communities of color, there are some golden nuggets.”
The Urban League partners for the Southern Justice Summit include the Tennessee Urban League Affiliates (Memphis, Nashville, Chattanooga, Knoxville); Birmingham, Alabama; and Lexington, Kentucky. The full schedule and lineup of speakers is forthcoming. Individuals may register at www.southernjusticesummit.com.
(end of release)
