Skip to content
ProPublica Donate
ProPublica Donate
A large crowd, gathered for a rally and march to the polls, held an 8 minute and 46 second moment of silence for George Floyd, whose niece and nephew were present, in downtown Graham on Oct. 31, 2020. Credit: Julia Wall/The News & Observer
Events

Race, Police and Power in Small-Town America

Join us for a conversation about the battle for racial justice in Graham, North Carolina.

Supported by McKinsey & Company. Learn more about sponsorships.

In partnership with The News & Observer.

As racial justice demonstrations erupted in large cities last year, civil unrest spread to smaller towns across the country. In North Carolina, Graham became a flashpoint for Black Lives Matter protests as residents of Alamance County voiced grievances over a long history of racial violence, aggressive policing and restrictive laws around protesting. Earlier this year, ProPublica and The News & Observer co-published “Sound of Judgment,” an immersive story and short documentary that examines police accountability, Black social movements and white power radicalization.

To shed light on these issues, ProPublica and The News & Observer have convened activists, local journalists and a historian for a timely discussion on race and policing in small-town America. During this event, we will examine the history of power, protest and policing in Graham, present-day racial dynamics, developments since the story was published and discuss what’s next for Graham.

Featured speakers include:

  • Dawn Blagrove, executive director, Emancipate North Carolina
  • Scott Reynolds Nelson, history professor, University of Georgia
  • Ebony Pinnix, local Black Lives Matter activist
  • Julia Wall, video journalist, The News & Observer
  • Carli Brosseau, reporter, The News & Observer (moderator)

Supported by McKinsey & Company. Learn more about sponsorships.

This event has ended.