LOUISVILLE, Ky. — On Tuesday, Louisville's only Historically Black College & University (HBCU) established a racial justice center as an ongoing response to the Department of Justice's (DOJ) report.
According to a press release, the Jesse L. Jackson, Sr., Center for Racial Justice at Simmons College of Kentucky will do three things:
- Educate people on social and systemic racism
- Advocate for just laws and policies
- Legislate to help "improve public safety in order to move from disparities to equity."
The center -- named after the famed civil rights and political activist -- is only a concept right now, but Simmons College leaders hope to see it grow into a vessel for equity in the months and years to come.
The Eula Mae and John Baugh Foundation based in Houston, Texas made a founding contribution and approved a $2 million grant to the center, according to the release.
Rev. Jackson, 81, traveled to Louisville for the commemoration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., 55 years after his assassination. Jackson, who worked under King's leadership during the civil rights movement, sat in the pews for a unity service at St. Stephen Baptist Church Tuesday, as Simmons College revealed the initiative in his honor.
"[The mission is] to respond to the disparities that are foundational to the police misconduct seen in our city and our nation," said Rev. Dr. Kevin Cosby, president of the university.
Louisville leaders compared the inequities seen today to those experienced decades ago, saying the DOJ report is evidence of this -- and that it 'necessitated' action taken in response to the DOJ's findings.
Simmons College said the center is needed because racism is endemic in Louisville and the nation, but it reflects a bigger problem that needs to be addressed. The college called the police a "symptom" of a bigger issue -- "the centuries-old disparity between the races."
While listening, Jackson put a hand on the shoulder of former Kentucky state representative and Louisville native Charles Booker.
"This was the first time I got to meet him in person, so the first thing I did was what everyone should do -- I said, 'Thank you,' and I squeezed his shoulder and I told him I'm on his shoulder," Booker said.
When asked if Jackson said anything about the urgency of the project given the findings revealed in the DOJ report, Booker said Jackson 'squeezed his hand' every time it was mentioned.
"He said, 'We have work to do.' He said that he taught us what to do," Booker said.
No timeline on construction has been revealed yet, or whether the center will require a new building or live in an existing one.
Simmons College is still taking more donations for this effort. During the service, at least one other congregation pledged $10,000 toward the project.
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