Joseph J. Foy, Ph.D. President | Benedictine University

On February 21, Benedictine University welcomed Tennessee State Representative Justin Jones as a keynote speaker for Black History Month. The event took place at Kindlon Hall and was sponsored by the Faculty/Staff Workshop on Structural Racism. It attracted faculty, students, and staff eager to hear from one of the nation's young leaders.

Jones, speaking in a personal capacity unrelated to his government role, discussed his journey in politics. He is known for being part of the "Tennessee Three," which includes his expulsion from the Tennessee House of Representatives followed by a landslide re-election. During his talk, he highlighted the importance of "disrupting, dismantling, and discovering for justice" even when facing challenges.

"We need more gatherings in rooms like these to imagine otherwise and engage in solidarity and community," Jones stated.

His message strongly resonated with attendees, especially encouraging young people to participate in activism and politics. The event underscored the significance of representation and the continuous fight for equity and justice.

Benedictine University has a history of hosting successful Black History Month programs. This year's event continued that tradition. Audience members expressed inspiration from both Jones' talk and the enthusiasm among students who connected with him as someone from their own age group. They felt motivated to contribute to societal change for the greater good.