The Daily Bulletin Archive

Buffalo State University's Anne Frank Project is thrilled to announce its 15th annual Social Justice Festival on Wednesday, October 4, and Thursday, October 5. This year's theme is AFP 2023: Ideas + Action = Justice. The academic festival has become a signature event on Buffalo State’s calendar each year. As we stubbornly maintain our original commitment to creating a student-centered, student-driven, student-owned social justice platform, we are also cognizant of the festival reflecting one of Buffalo State’s core values: social justice. This year’s theme directly reflects the core of our mission: Ideas + Action = Justice. This simple equation spells out the necessity of following our ideas with action if we desire effective results.

We live in a world where the ‘Twitter-verse’ and ‘TikTok-land’ can falsely reward ideas presented in isolation. Ideas without action require no courage, no research, and no truth, all fitting underneath the umbrella of "reaction." Reactions do not require education, and they have no lasting impact. When ideas are followed up with action, positive impact becomes possible. This is a "response," not a reaction. The Anne Frank Project’s annual festival is the ideal platform for teaching people how to respond versus react to their worlds—this is the only way to make positive personal and social change: justice.

We are also delighted to announce this year's Donn Youngstrom featured speaker, activist and model Autumn Rose Williams. Ms. Williams was crowned Miss Teen Shinnecock at the age of 16 and has been immersed in her culture, finding pride in her Black and Indigenous heritage. She educates and brings awareness to topics such as Afro-Indigenous culture, social justice awareness, and mental health. She will open the festival with a keynote address on Indigenous awareness, self-love, and empowerment on Tuesday, October 3, at 7:00 p.m. in the Burchfield Penney Art Center's Tower Auditorium, with an interactive workshop the next morning.

For regular updates on the 15th annual Social Justice Festival,  please visit the AFP website and follow us on Instragram @annefrankproject.

Please contact Jonise Hall, AFP assistant director, with questions.