Welcome to the 2025 SAOC Spring Symposium.

We are honored to welcome you to this year’s SAOC Spring Symposium: Equity Unfinished – Confronting Racism and Reimagining Justice. This gathering is a space for dialogue, reflection, and action as we come together to address the ongoing struggles for racial equity and social justice.

In December 2008, Forbes published an article titled, "Racism in America is Over," in the wake of President Barack Obama's election. Yet, four election cycles later, the persistence of racism and inequality remains deeply ingrained in America’s institutions and social fabric. The last 17 years have seen countless reminders of systemic racial and ethnic discrimination: from the deaths of Trayvon Martin and Michael Brown to the Charleston church shooting, from anti-Asian violence during COVID-19 to the humanitarian crises at the US-Mexico border, and rising antisemitism and Islamophobia. These events make clear that no community is immune from prejudice – and racial equity remains a distant goal.

The 2024 presidential election further highlighted the complex interplay of race and gender in American politics. Vice President Kamala Harris's historic candidacy as the first Black woman and Asian person to be a major-party presidential nominee brought discussions of race and gender to the forefront. Her campaign navigated both support and criticism, reflecting the nation's ongoing dialogue about identity and leadership.

Despite these challenges, progress continues. Legislative reforms like the First Step Act, Juneteenth’s recognition as a federal holiday, and the steady removal of Confederate symbols reflect a growing, albeit uneven, national commitment to equity. In parallel, communities, advocates, and policymakers have mobilized to expand voting rights, address health disparities, and dismantle discriminatory policing practices.

This year’s symposium invites us to confront a critical question: What would a truly equitable world look like? If racism were truly over, how would our institutions, policies, and communities function? Through thought-provoking panels, interactive workshops, and meaningful discussions, we will explore strategies to harness policy as a tool for dismantling systemic inequities, elevating underrepresented voices, and re-envisioning our shared future.

We encourage you to bring your insights, experiences, and questions to the table. This is a space for honest conversations, bold ideas, and collaborative problem-solving. Join us as we chart a course toward a future that not only acknowledges historical inequities but also actively commits to an equitable society.

Thank you for being part of this symposium. Together, let’s move beyond illusion and transform equity from a concept into a reality.

In Service,
Avery Barnett & Laurel Cooke
SAOC Co-Chairs