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The Movement Made Us: with Dave Dennis, Sr. 

October 12, 2023
At civil rights worker James Chaney's funeral, Dave Dennis gave one of the most impassioned and remembered eulogies of the Civil Rights Movement. A Freedom Rider, field secretary for CORE (Congress of Racial Equality) and co-director a COFO (Council of Federated Organizations) committee from which later evolved Freedom Summer 1964, Dave Dennis has been at the center of the Mississippi movement since 1961. In 1991, he joined forces with fellow activist Bob Moses to work on the Algebra Project and focused his energy on “quality education as a constitutional right." 

Join us for this important discussion with life-long civil rights activist, Dave Dennis. It's sure to be unforgettable conversation. 


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Special Guest

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David J. (Dave) Dennis, Sr. interrupted his collegiate experience during his freshman year in 1961 at Dillard University in New Orleans LA to work in the 60s civil rights movement in the South, particularly Mississippi and Louisiana, where he was arrested over 30 times in relation to his activities to register disenfranchised voters. He was on the first freedom bus ride from Montgomery AL to Jackson MS in 1961. He served in both states as field secretary for CORE (Congress of Racial Equality). He co-directed a COFO (Council of Federated Organizations) committee from which later evolved Freedom Summer 1964.

He worked closely with Mickey Schwerner and James Chaney who were murdered along with Andrew Goodman as Freedom Summer began. Dave spoke in Mississippi at the funeral for James Chaney, delivering a eulogy that will long be remembered. He returned to Dillard University in 1965 and graduated in 1968. Continuing his education, Dave left for law school at the University of Michigan, where he graduated in 1971. In 1972, he was an organizer of a successful challenge to the Louisiana Democratic Party structure that resulted in a majority African American delegation with an African American chairperson being sent to the national convention, the first time since Reconstruction.

Dave’s practice of law gave way in 1991 to his work with Bob Moses—a fellow veteran of the civil rights movement in Mississippi—and the Algebra Project. In the 60s, the most pressing need for African American residents in Mississippi for citizenship was to be able to register to vote unobstructed. Dave became committed in the early 90s to the pressing need of quality education as necessary for first class citizenship, joining Bob in his work to increase participation of low-performing students in the gatekeeper course Algebra I by or before the eighth grade. Without early access to Algebra I, students cannot complete a heavy mathematics program in high school enabling them to go into careers in science and technology.

​Dave and Bob began nearly two decades ago to pursue “quality education as a constitutional right”. The current climate of assaults on voting rights underscores that citizens must be ever vigilant in efforts to maintain safeguards to citizenship already hard-won and to continue the pursuit of those necessary elements for full citizenship that are yet to be secured. 

Moderator

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Dr. Pamela Zappardino holds a doctoral degree in Psychology from the University of RI and is a graduate of Leadership RI and Leadership Maryland. She serves on the Boards of Common Ground on the Hill, Rape Crisis Intervention Services of Carroll County, the Carroll County NAACP, the Community Foundation of Carroll County and the Living Legacy Project as well as on the steering committees of the WMC Heritage Society at McDaniel College and Carroll Citizens for Racial Equality. She has been on the Carroll County Public Schools’ Council for Multicultural Education for 15 years.


General Information about the 2023 Spring Education Series

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All three programs will be broadcast on Zoom. Register to receive the Zoom link. 

Family Revealed: From Slavery to Hope
Thursday, September 28, 2023

The Movement Made Us
Thursday, October 12, 2023

Civil Rights Activism from Yesterday to Today
​Thursday, November 2, 2023


Programs start at 4:30 pm PT, 5:30 pm MT, 6:30 pm CT, 7:30 pm ET and run for one-hour, followed by a half-hour question and answer post-discussion. 

All programs are free and open to the public. ​Minimum suggested donation is $15 per program ($45 total) and it's never too late to donate! You can register for 1, 2, or all 3 programs!


Your donations make it possible for the Living Legacy Project to continue to bring you relevant programming like this series and make them available to all, regardless of economic circumstances. Please give generously. 
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