We Shall Not Be Moved

We Shall Not Be Moved:
Fighting for Our Lives. Fighting for Our Stories.

When: February 22nd, 2023
7:00PM – 8:30PM

Where: The Gathering Spot
384 Northyards Blvd NW
Atlanta, GA 30313

Presented in partnership with The Gathering Spot, this True Talk will focus on the historical and present relationships formed between Black communities and the media in the fight to defend and uplift the narratives of those who make the greatest sacrifice for progress. When there are coordinated efforts to denigrate or demean victims, how have Black families and community leaders fought back with a counter narrative, ensuring that the lives of the slain would be honored? This conversation will delve into this timely and necessary topic in an honest and artful way.

We Shall Not Be Moved | True Talks by True Colors Theatre Company

This special event will feature a number of special performances, including the cast of Good Bad People!
Complimentary hors d’oeuvres will be provided,
along with a cash bar.
The doors will open at 6:30pm. RSVP is required.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Our Panelists:

True Talks: We Shall Not Be Moved

Johnita P. Due

Executive Vice President of Integrity and Inclusion, CNN Worldwide

Johnita P. Due is Executive Vice President of Integrity and Inclusion for CNN Worldwide. Due, who is based in Atlanta and joined CNN as a media lawyer in 2003, was appointed to the newly created role in 2022. She has been Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer for CNN and WBD Sports (formerly Turner Sports) since 2019.

As EVP of Integrity and Inclusion, both the DEI and Standards & Practices teams report into her. Johnita ensures that CNN’s brand integrity for television, digital and sales is upheld. She advises on everything from conflicts of interest and editorial fairness to reporting about sensitive stories, language used, and undercovered communities, and ensures that a diversity of voices and perspectives are included in our content.

Under Due’s leadership, diversity, equity and inclusion remain business critical priorities. Highly regarded by employees and management alike for her inspirational leadership and editorial insights, Due helps drive the company’s efforts to improve representation and development of employees on air and behind-the-scenes, as well as the production of impactful content that resonates with all audiences. She is also committed to building a culture of engagement and belonging, creating meaningful opportunities for employees to share their voices, identities and experiences. An essential part of Due’s strategy is organizational investment in development of employees through mentoring and training programs.

CNN has been honored with significant industry honors that reflect her leadership. Due spearheaded the creation of CNN’s award-winning “We Are CNN” brand campaign, the first of its kind multi-platform campaign highlighting CNN’s progress around DEI as well as its commitment to the work that continues. In 2022, this extraordinary campaign earned an Anthem (Silver) award for Best Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Campaign and “Best PR and Marketing Campaigns” Award for TV from the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ).

Johnita P. Due (Moderator)
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True Talks: We Shall Not Be Moved

Derrick Boazman

Talk Show Radio Host, “Too Much Truth with Derrick Boazman”

Derrick Boazman, a native Atlantan, was born and reared on Atlanta’s southside. In 1997, he was elected to the Atlanta City Council and was re-elected for his second term in 2001. Councilmember Boazman resigned his seat on the city council in April 2004. Mr. Boazman is President and CEO of Facilitation Strategies, Inc., which specializes in strategic planning and group facilitation activities. He received his bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Morris Brown College, where he began his political career as President of the Student Government Association. He serves as a certified trainer teaching community leadership and organizational development skills for Midwest Academy, an instruction entity that travels throughout the country, and at the Fanning Leadership Institute of the University of Georgia in Athens. He has also served as an instructor at the Community Development Institute at Clark Atlanta University.

In 2000 Mr. Boazman was the recipient of the Concerned Black Clergy of Metro Atlanta, Inc.’s “Award for Outstanding Contribution in Politics” and Morris Brown College’s “Going the Distance – Career Achievement Award”. He was the 1997 recipient of the “Human Service Award” from the Georgia Greater Metro chapter of the Association of Black Social Workers. He also received the 1996 Community Service Award from the Atlanta Project. Being selected as one of ten people to serve on the President’s Summit for America’s Future Committee, by former United States Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Colin Powell, was one of his proudest moments.

Councilmember Boazman is an outspoken advocate for the rights of minorities and has appeared on CNN’s Talkback Live, Nightline, Court TV, dozens of nationally syndicated radio programs, as well as being interviewed by the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times and the New Yorker Magazine.

Mr. Boazman is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated and is very active with the Prince Hall Affiliated Masons where he has attained the 33rd degree. Mr. Boazman is a member of Mount Sinai Baptist Church.

(source: audacy.com)

Derrick Boazman
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True Talks: We Shall Not Be Moved

Gerald Griggs

President, Georgia NAACP

Attorney Gerald Griggs is the President of the Georgia NAACP. He formerly served in numerous capacities for the State Conference of the Georgia NAACP including the Chair of the Criminal Justice Committee and the Field Director of District Coordinators. Further, Attorney Griggs has worked in partnership with the SCLC, 100 Black Men of Atlanta, Emerging 100, ACLU, The Urban League Young Professionals and numerous community groups that are committed to improving the community. Attorney Griggs was honored for his Community Activism by Congressman John Lewis during the 2016 Congressional Black Caucus Conference in Washington D.C. He has been honored for his Social Justice Advocacy by the Gate City Bar Association, Jack and Jill of Stone Mountain, the Links, NAACP and numerous civic and social justice groups.

(source: geraldagriggs.com)

Gerald Griggs
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True Talks: We Shall Not Be Moved

Mary Hooks

Co-Founder, Atlanta BLM

Mary Hooks is a Black, queer, working-class mother. Hooks joined Southerners on New Ground’s (SONG) membership in 2009, eventually accepting the role of Co-Director. She is also a Co-Founder of the Atlanta chapter of #BlackLivesMatter.

(source: facingrace.raceforward.org)

Mary Hooks
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True Talks: We Shall Not Be Moved

Dr. Calinda Lee

Scholar, Former Head of Interpretation at the National Center for Civil and Human Rights

Calinda Lee, PhD founded Sources Cultural Resources Management, LLC in 2003. Since May 2022, she has devoted herself fully to its mission to fearlessly explore the past to develop cultural institutions and experiences committed to truthful, compelling interpretation. In her role as principal consultant for Sources, she brings together a diverse community of colleagues who, like herself, have occupied senior roles in cultural institutions. Their shared commitment is to collaborate with organizations that explore culture with accuracy, bravery, and a spirit of innovation.

Prior to establishing Sources as a full-service consulting firm, Lee served as the Head of Interpretation at the National Center for Civil and Human Rights. She joined the executive leadership team at The Center to oversee its mission-focused work. In that role, she directed Education and Exhibitions teams as well as emergent community partnership efforts. It is Calinda’s deep belief that information must be deployed creatively –and always intimately linked with community needs—to be of greatest service. Her personal vision “to make history personal every day, to connect lessons from the past to living in the present and planning for the future.”

As Vice President of Historical Interpretation and Community Engagement for the Atlanta History Center, Lee served as chief historian, considering historical interpretation for all aspects of the region’s past to develop the AHC’s primary collections, historic houses, historic gardens, and public programs. Calinda also developed and led the AHC’s Community Engagements, featuring its signature Neighborhoods Initiative. Balancing executive and creative roles, she curated the award-winning cornerstone exhibition Gatheround: Stories of Atlanta in addition to developing a number of other programs and exhibitions.

Educated at Spelman College (BA), New York University (MA) and Emory University (MA and PhD), Calinda’s historical expertise is distinguished by impeccable research that informs inspiring and frame changing storytelling in the present. As a scholar of 20th Century United States History (specializing in post-WWII African American social history) and administrator, Dr. Lee has held teaching and administrative positions at Emory University, Loyola University Chicago, and Spelman College. A prolific practitioner, she is recognized administrator, curator, writer, and educator. In addition to the engagements above, Lee she has worked with institutions throughout the world including the State of Georgia, Brighthouse—A Division of Boston Consulting Group, the United States Department of State, Intel, the New Mexico Black Leadership Council, Albuquerque Museum of Art and History, District of Columbia (Washington) Public Libraries, the City Museum of Washington, DC, the Reginald Lewis Maryland Museum for African American Life and History, and the Chicago History Museum, among others.

Dr. Calinda Lee
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True Talks: We Shall Not Be Moved

Donnell Suggs

Editor in Chief, The Atlanta Voice

Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, Donnell began his career covering sports and news in Atlanta nearly two decades ago. He has written for Atlanta Business Chronicle, The Southern Cross (Savannah), Atlanta Magazine, ESPN’s The Undefeated, Houston Home Journal, Eatonton Messenger, Lake Oconee News, Newnan Times-Herald, Clayton News Daily, Atlanta Daily World and for the Reporter Newspapers. He is a devout Mets fan and believes Felini’s pizza on Ponce is the best pizzeria in Atlanta. He lives in Jonesboro with his wife Chia, stepdaughter Kayla and son Chase.

Donnell Suggs
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