Introducing Kendrick Roberson, the instructor for this spring’s LBR STD M115/AF AMER M115 We Gone Be Alright: Developing the Next Generation of Black Organizers course! In this “Meet the Professor” event, Kendrick will share his journey of becoming a young leader in the field of labor justice and why he believes it is critical for more young people to get involved. This presentation will be followed up by a 10 minute Q & A led by Semi Cole, Public Program Analyst at the Center for Advancing Racial Equity (CARE) at Work Initiative, and a 5-minute announcement regarding class recruitment afterwards.

Guest Speaker:
Kendrick Roberson is an educator, researcher, and organizer with unique professional experiences and a strong commitment to racial and gender equity. With 3 Master of Science degrees, Professor Roberson has taught social science classes at Pepperdine University and is the Director of the USC Predoctoral Summer Institute for First Generation and Diverse Scholars. He is the Chairman of the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) National YOUNG Committee where he leads training for young professionals within the union at the national level. He has also served as a legislative and political coordinator for AFGE. Roberson also serves as the Chair of City of Carson’s rent control board, and is an Air Force veteran.

Guest Host:
Semi Cole serves the Center for Advancing Racial Equity (CARE) at Work Initiative as a Public Program Analyst. In his role, Semi utilizes his passion for public affairs and community organizing to push forward the Center’s research, policy, and programmatic priorities.
Semi brings extensive experience in higher education advocacy and policy research as well as grassroots organizing, strategic partnership development, and project management. Currently, Semi manages CARE’s student organizing class and Freedom Fellowship, where he puts his talents towards CARE’s work in building a school-to-movement pathway, sowing the seeds for the next generation of black organizers.