Earl B. Dickerson Centennial Conference
Online-Only Law School Event
1111 East 60th Street, Chicago, Illinois 60637
The Dickerson Centennial celebrates an historic milestone for our institution: the 100th anniversary of the graduation of one of our most distinguished alumni, Earl B. Dickerson. Last October, our first conference brought together legal scholars and historians. Our second conference brings together artists, activists, community leaders, and lawyers to celebrate Dickerson and his continuing legacy today. We will hold the second conference online via Zoom on the afternoon of Friday, April 16, 2021. As previously scheduled, this conference will include introductory remarks by Mayor Lori Lightfoot; reflections on the life of Earl Dickerson by those who knew him; a panel of activists, academics, and practitioners discussing Dickerson’s legacy on issues of fair housing; and a stage reading of scenes from A Raisin in the Sun by Court Theater performers. The event will conclude with an audience Q&A. We look forward to your participation in this celebration of Dickerson’s life, work, and legacy.
The Dickerson Centennial celebrates an historic milestone for our institution: the 100th anniversary of the graduation of one of our most distinguished alumni, Earl B. Dickerson.
Dickerson, born in Mississippi in 1891, graduated from the University of Chicago Law School in 1920, the first African American to earn a juris doctor from our institution. His distinguished career included serving as a Second Lieutenant in the US Army in WWI, an alderman of Chicago, president of the Supreme Life Insurance Company, a member of the national board of the NAACP, and president of the National Lawyers Guild. He also orchestrated and argued the landmark Supreme Court case, Hansberry v. Lee (1940), which brought an end to the use of a racially restrictive covenant in Chicago.
Dickerson Centennial Conference Part II: Community Celebration
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Friday, April 16, 2021
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Welcome and Introduction
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Thomas J. Miles, Dean and Clifton R. Musser Professor of Law and Economics, University of Chicago Law School
The Honorable Lori E. Lightfoot, Mayor of Chicago
William H. J. Hubbard, Professor of Law, University of Chicago Law School
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Remembering Earl B. Dickerson Panel
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Moderator: Valerie B. Jarrett, Distinguished Senior Fellow, UChicago Law School
Timuel Black, Social worker, historian, and co-author of Sacred Ground: The Chicago Streets of Timuel Black
Barbara T. Bowman, Irving B. Harris Professor of Child Development, Co-Founder, Erikson Institute
Stephen (Steve) Brown, Director, Brand Strategy, American Medical Association and Grandson of Earl B. Dickerson
Steven Saltzman, Law Offices of Steven Saltzman, National Lawyers Guild Chicago
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Zoom Break
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Artistic Presentations
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Moderator: Richard McAdams, Bernard D. Meltzer Professor of Law, University of Chicago Law School
Reading of Harlem, by Langston Hughes
Ron OJ Parson, Director & Resident Artist, Court Theatre
Readings from A Raisin in the Sun, by Lorraine Hansberry
Felicia P. Fields as Lena Younger
Caren Blackmore as Ruth Younger
Jerod Haynes as Walter Lee Younger
Qiana Moore-Nightengale as Beneatha Younger
Thom Cox as Karl Lindner
Ron OJ Parson, DirectorCara Parrish, Stage Manager
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Zoom Break
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Fair Housing Panel
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Moderator: Lee Fennell, Max Pam Professor of Law, University of Chicago Law School
Lolly Bowean, Program Officer, Field Foundation
Kate Walz, Senior Attorney, National Housing Law Project
Lawrence (Larry) Wood, Lecturer in Law, University of Chicago Law School; Supervising Attorney, Legal Action Chicago
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Community Remembrances and Discussion
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Attendees and panelists engage in a discussion.
Moderator: Sharon Fairley, Professor from Practice, University of Chicago Law School
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Special Announcement and Closing Remarks
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Thomas J. Miles, Dean and Clifton R. Musser Professor of Law and Economics, University of Chicago Law School
William H. J. Hubbard, Professor of Law, University of Chicago Law School
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Welcome and Introduction