SCHOOL OF PROFESSIONAL STUDIES–The 2025 Community & Youth Organizing event series highlighted the transformative power of youth-led movements. Curated and hosted by Lumumba Bandele, a professor in the CUNY SPS Youth Studies program, the series featured two compelling films on youth-driven activism and for the final segment, a live panel discussion with young activists advocating for economic justice in New York City. Held virtually over three consecutive Wednesdays in January, each two-hour session provided an opportunity for attendees to connect, reflect, and engage with crucial social issues.
‘Whose Streets?’ Film Screening and Discussion
The event series began with a screening of “Whose Streets?”, a documentary that offers an unflinching look at the Ferguson, Missouri uprising following the killing of unarmed teenager Michael Brown. The film is told by activists and leaders who experience the movement firsthand, which depicts grief, long-standing racial tensions, and renewed calls for justice.
‘Following Harry’: Film Screening and Discussion
The second event featured “Following Harry”, an intimate documentary chronicling the final twelve years of musician, actor, and civil rights leader Harry Belafonte’s life. The film showcases his deep commitment to justice and his mentorship of the next generation of artists and activists.
Youth Organizing for Economic Justice: Panel Discussion
The final event of the series, “Youth Organizing for Economic Justice: Panel Discussion,” included members of the NYC Youth Agenda Coalition, the NYC Union of Students, and youth advocacy collective YouthNPower. The conversation centered on economic justice and the increasing unaffordability of New York City for young adults.
