The United States has historically been a nation in deep denial of its own past. But today, the country—indeed, the entire world—is facing a racial reckoning of epic proportions. Between a global pandemic that disproportionately affects Black communities, the tragic deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, and a growing White Power movement, the staggering depths of racial injustice in this country have never been clearer. This Black History Month, The Lavin Agency is honored to introduce ‘Liberty and Justice for All’: A virtual program featuring three incredible Lavin speakers—a civil rights legend, an award-winning academic, and a critically acclaimed novelist. Together, they’ll provide a unique perspective on the fight for racial justice, equity, and liberty for everyone.

Minnijean Brown-Trickey:  On one fateful day in 1957, Minnijean Brown-Trickey changed history forever. Part of the Little Rock Nine—the first group of African-American students to attend an all-white school—Minnijean braved an onslaught of ridicule, abuse, and even death threats from angry, racists mobs, in order to exercise her right to learn. Today, Minnijean speaks about the conviction it took to take those steps and the values she learned along the way: What does it mean to stand up for civil rights? To be an activist? And how can one nurture a fierce commitment to justice over the course of a lifetime?

Anthony Jack:  For low-income students, getting into an elite college is only half the battle. What happens once they’re there? In his award-winning book The Privileged Poor, named an NPR Favorite, Anthony Jack reveals the minefield these students must navigate—from insidious campus culture to institutional policies and structures that harm, rather than help. An associate professor of education at Harvard, Anthony’s book is backed by years of research, as well as shaped by his own experience as a first-generation college student.

Angie Thomas: The #1 New York Times bestselling novel The Hate U Give continues to reflect the reality of Black Americans, who are disproportionately threatened, intimidated, and killed at the hands of police. Author Angie Thomas not only helped further an important conversation around police brutality for a younger audience; she also strongly believes in the ability of books to empower the next cohort of leaders. “If my legacy is that I inspired the next generation of activists then I’m happy with that,” she revealed to TIME. “It’s an honor.”