2024 YWCA Stand Against Racism Conference

The Annual YWCA Stand Against Racism Conference brings together a diverse audience of Northwest Ohio community leaders, service providers, advocates, groups, and individuals united in our mission to eliminate racism and promote justice.

This year's conference, "Until Justice Just Is: Building Bridges to Equity" will be held on Wednesday, May 22nd, from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM at One Seagate Center in Toledo, Ohio. Check-in and breakfast will begin at 8:00 AM and a buffet lunch is included.

The conference will address how we can work on dismantling systemic racism and promoting racial equity within our community with a focus on disparities within the justice system.

We are honored to host Anthony Ray Hinton as our keynote speaker. Mr. Hinton's story of wrongful conviction and eventual exoneration after 30 years on death row is both powerful and inspiring. He is the author of the New York Times Best-Seller, "The Sun Does Shine: How I Found Life and Freedom on Death Row" and will share his story of resilience, forgiveness, and advocacy for change within the justice system.

*Books are available for preorder when you register by May 16th. Mr. Hinton will sign books during lunch at the conference.

We are also honored to welcome our special guest, Pierce Reed of the Ohio Innocence Project - University of Cincinnati College of Law.

Our esteemed panelists include:

Willie Knighten Jr. - Business Owner, Chemical Dependency Counselor Assistant, Qualified Mental Health Specialist, & Re-entry Support Specialist

Timothy C. Kuhlman - Judge, Toledo Municipal Court

Cecil L. Holston II, LMSW – Founder, Black Clinicians of Toledo

Kara Jennings - Interim Director of Advocacy at Advocates for Basic Legal Equality