Alan Khazei to give keynote address at 2015 'DEIS Impact

The festival of social justice runs from Jan. 30 to Feb. 9.

courtesy

Alan Khazei, keynote speaker at 2015 'DEIS Impact

'Deis Impact, the annual festival of social justice at Brandeis University, will feature more than 40 events from Jan. 30 to Feb. 9, including a keynote address by Alan Khazei, co-founder of City Year and founder of Be The Change Inc.

Khazei and Michael Brown founded City Year in 1988, a national service program that unites young adults looking to make a positive difference in the world with schools in poverty-stricken areas. City Year served as a model for the establishment of AmeriCorps, and it continues to thrive as an AmeriCorps program.

Khazei is the author of the 2010 book "Big Citizenship: How Pragmatic Idealism Can Bring Out the Best in America," and ran for the U.S. Senate in Massachusetts in 2010. Khazei is currently the CEO of Be the Change, Inc., a non-profit organization he founded that creates and manages national campaigns aimed at social change.

"In my work with City Year and Be The Change, Inc. – and in my political life – I have had a sharp focus on what I call in my book 'pragmatic idealism.' ’DEIS Impact reflects a similar philosophy with events and discussions that go beyond extolling the virtues of social action or decrying the many injustices in the world, to focus on impact," Khazei said. "What can we do as individuals and as communities to make positive change in America and beyond? I am honored to be a part of this 'festival of social justice,' especially at a university with such a longstanding commitment to social change."

A collaboration between the Brandeis Undergraduate Student Union and the International Center for Ethics, Justice and Public Life, 'DEIS Impact offers a series of social justice-focused events that are conceived and brought to fruition by students and faculty. The festival, in its fourth year, is supported by the Louis D. Brandeis Legacy Fund for Social JusticeKhazei's address is co-sponsored by the Eli J. Segal Citizen Leadership Program.

Featured events at 'DEIS impact include:

  • Jan. 30 to Feb. 9: An Artist's Journey Through Suffering and Liberation: An exhibition of the works of the Indian Dalit Artist Svi Savarkar
  • Feb. 4: Soulfulness and Social Justice Making, featuring the Rev. Kirk Jones
  • Feb. 5 and 6: DEIS Impact College: Open sessions on eight different social justice-themed courses
  • Feb. 9: Hiatt Industry Night: A three-part event focused on carrying social justice into professional careers

Tickets to the ‘DEIS Impact Keynote Address are available on campus at the Shapiro Campus Center ticket office Monday to Friday from 12 to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 12 to 4 p.m. A maximum of two tickets is allowed per Brandeis ID. Off-campus guests should email pospecialevents@brandeis.edu or call 877-736-4098 for more information on tickets. 

A flyer and full list of events can be found on the 'Deis Impact website.

Categories: Alumni, Business, Humanities and Social Sciences, Student Life

Return to the BrandeisNOW homepage