New York Times bestselling author Richard Rothstein, Leah Rothstein to speak at UK Oct. 24
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Oct. 19, 2023) — The University of Kentucky, Blue Grass Community Foundation, Lexington Public Library and community partners will present "The Color of Law and Just Action: An Evening with the Authors" 6:30-8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 24, at the UK Gatton Student Center Worsham Cinema.
The event will feature economist Richard Rothstein, author of the bestselling book "The Color of Law: A Forgotten History of How Our Government Segregated America," and Leah Rothstein, a housing policty expert. The two teamed up to write "Just Action: How to Challenge Segregation Enacted Under the Color of Law," a blueprint for concerned advocates and community leaders that offers solutions to the problems outlined in "The Color of Law."
On Oct. 24, Leah Rothstein will explore these themes, and more, in a keynote address, followed by a conversation with Richard Rothstein (via satellite) and Renee Shaw, KET’s director of public affairs. The Uniting Voices Lexington will kick off the evening with a special performance.
“For more than three decades, redlining, the act of racial discrimination in real estate and banking, was the rule of the date,” said Katrice Albert, UK vice president for institutional diversity. “We are honored to host this incredibly courageous conversation at the University of Kentucky. The power of partnerships has deepened our community’s understanding of our country’s past systematic policies and practices that has created the immense wealth gap created by redlining. It is our hope that this robust community discussion presses us forward with a common purpose of understanding these root causes of racial barriers, gives us a shared intention toward solution-finding for economic opportunity for all and creates in all of us a call-to-action to advance Kentucky.”
Everyone in the community is invited to join the conversation by reading "The Color of Law" as part of the Lexington Public Library’s Community Reads initiative, visiting the "Undesign the Redline" exhibit at the Central Library and registering for a free ticket to the Oct. 24 event.
These efforts are guided by a collaboration that includes the Lexington Public Library, UK, BGCF365, Bluegrass REALTORS Association, CivicLex, Fayette County Bar Association, the Fayette County Clerk’s Office, Lexington Black Prosperity Initiative at BGCF, Lexington Herald-Leader, Lexington Racial Justice and Equality Commission, National Association of Real Estate Brokers – Lexington Chapter, RADIOLEX, United Way of the Bluegrass, University of Kentucky J. David Rosenberg College of Law, University of Kentucky Office for Institutional Diversity, Urban League of Lexington-Fayette County, WUKY and Blue Grass Community Foundation.
This event is free and open to all, but registration is required. Secure a ticket at www.bgcf.org/events.
Read more here: https://www.bgcf.org/thecoloroflaw/.
As the state’s flagship, land-grant institution, the University of Kentucky exists to advance the Commonwealth. We do that by preparing the next generation of leaders — placing students at the heart of everything we do — and transforming the lives of Kentuckians through education, research and creative work, service and health care. We pride ourselves on being a catalyst for breakthroughs and a force for healing, a place where ingenuity unfolds. It's all made possible by our people — visionaries, disruptors and pioneers — who make up 200 academic programs, a $476.5 million research and development enterprise and a world-class medical center, all on one campus.