BSU-UMD Social Justice Alliance Symposium 2026

The 8th Annual Social Justice Alliance (SJA) Symposium, Freedom Dreams and Radical Joy: Youth Voices in the Pursuit of a Just Society, will take place on Friday, April 10, 2026, from 11:00 AM–1:00 PM at the Riggs Alumni Center, University of Maryland, College Park. This year’s gathering continues to honor the life and legacy of Lt. Richard W. Collins III, centering the voices, visions, and leadership of individuals who are reimagining justice through creativity, resistance, and collective joy.

The symposium will bring together changemakers, scholars, students, and community leaders for a timely conversation about the role of youth leadership in advancing a more just and compassionate society. Grounded in the belief that joy, care, and persistence can be powerful forms of resistance and renewal, the event will explore how radical hope and youth-led movements are shaping new pathways for collective action and democratic engagement.

Hosted by the BSU-UMD Social Justice Alliance, the 2nd Lt. Richard W. Collins III Foundation, and the University of Maryland Anti-Black Racism Initiative, the annual symposium serves as a space to build community, deepen dialogue, and reaffirm our shared commitment to justice and belonging.