Thank you to all who joined us on Saturday, January 17, 2015 for the 23rd Annual Empowerment Congress Summit! We had a truly tremendous event, with community leaders, residents, elected officials, and more. Click here to see photos from the event.

Empowerment Congress Summit 2015, used with permission from the Office of Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas.

With its core principles of participatory government, reciprocal accountability, and intentional civility, the EC’s theme of “50 Years Later: Chaos or Community?” addressed Dr. King’s charge of strategically choosing to build and empower communities to bring about social change. The day was filled with insightful and exciting events including our plenary featuring Prof. Cornel West and GetLit, as well as nine (9) engaging community workshops addressing various issues, including, diversion, sex trafficking, public health and violence, living wages, child welfare, early care and education, and the “Turn up for justice,” youth summit. The day’s culmination was a poignant, “teach-in” featuring Prof. West and other community leaders and activists. The 2015 Empowerment Congress Summit continued in its great 23 year legacy of “educating, engaging, and empowering” communities!