Social Justice Social provides networking opportunity for young adults

The Social Justice Social hosted by the NAACP had dinner catered by Zeitgeist and had a raffle to give away prizes to the attendees. Photo by Marta Rigstad

On Nov. 1, the Duluth NAACP hosted a Social Justice Social at Zeitgeist Arts Cafe. This event was created to give young adults in the Twin Ports community a chance to explore local organizations that support issues of social justice.

This event was sponsored by organizations in the community such as Men as Peacemakers, Feminist Action Collective, and the American Indian Community Housing Organization.

Sandra Oyinloye, Duluth NAACP member and coordinator for UMD’s Office of Diversity and Inclusion. Photo taken by Marta Rigstad

“The young adult Social Justice Social is a collective of community members who have stakes in different organizations who teamed together to plan [this event],” Sandra Oyinloye, Duluth NAACP member and coordinator for UMD’s Office of Diversity and Inclusion, said.

Oyinloye shared what social justice means to her and what social justice looks like within the Duluth community.

“Social justice is working along with other people to change systems and institutions,” Oyinloye said. “The work we are all doing here [in Duluth] is to create an environment for young people who are interested in social justice and are doing the work to get connected and support our community. We have a lot of institutions in the Duluth community that are not necessarily inclusive and equitable for those in the community.”

Erin Kreeger, Criminal Justice Committee Chair for the Duluth NAACP. Photo taken by Marta Rigstad

Erin Kreeger, Criminal Justice Committee Chair for the Duluth NAACP, expanded on institutions that cause inequality such as government.

“I am concerned about social inequality in our community, and I’m concerned about how our state and city government systems impact racial inequality,” Kreeger said. “I want to connect with people in our community to empower them to speak their truth.”

Kreeger feels that millenials and younger generations are underrepresented in the Duluth NAACP. Kreeger believes the Social Justice Social “gives [young adults] the chance to network and get involved in social justice.”

Terresa Moses, Duluth NAACP Young Adult Committee Chair and UMD assistant professor. Photo taken by Marta Rigstad

Terresa Moses, Duluth NAACP Young Adult Committee Chair and UMD assistant professor, was the organizer of this event. Moses commented on why the social was originally created.

"The Duluth NAACP’s Young Adult Committee has been charged with reaching younger audiences for our organization and social justice movements,” Moses said. “Often times, young folks just don't know where to start in social justice work, so we hope events like this one will open a door for them."