Booker T. Washington Symposium

June 4-6, 2006 * Chicago -- > welcome | program | speakers | audio


WELCOME

from Lee Walker
President, The New Coalition

On June 4-6, The New Coalition for Economic and Social Change and The Heartland Institute co-hosted a symposium to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the birth of Booker T. Washington. The event brought together scholars from across the country to discuss Washington’s life and legacy and how it applies today.

Twenty speakers, six panels, seven meal events, 25 sponsors, and opinions ranging from liberal to conservative to libertarian ... it was just a wonderful two-and-a-half days of learning and making new friends. My sincere thank you! to all who participated.

The presentations were all excellent, on point, and delivered with precision when required and passion when appropriate. The debates that took place over lunches and dinners were lively and often inspired. There was little “preaching to the choir”!

From start to finish, the Booker T. Washington symposium was recorded on both video and digital audio. The audio is available online at http://www.newcoalition.org/BTW2006/podcast.cfm..

On the Earth Productions, LLC handled all the video for the event. We are issuing requests for proposals to various film production groups to see how best to use the raw footage. Initial plans include a comprehensive version for archival purposes that could be sent to public libraries and schools, a shorter film featuring highlights of the conference, and a series of single-topic or single-speaker short films.

The conference proceedings also will be collected in a book that will be published jointly by The New Coalition and The Heartland Institute later this year. In the meantime, we are posting the papers online as we receive them from our speakers; click here or visit the Program link above to download them.

Now a new phase begins. The conference was only a catalyst for additional educational and networking activities that must now occur. I hope you will continue to visit this Web site and get involved in our ongoing efforts. Please contact me at 312/377-4000 or lwalker@newcoalition.org if you have advice, financial support, or time to contribute.

I look forward to working with you!