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Celebrate the growth of I.B.J. and launch the “5 in 25" Fundraising Campaign
On Saturday, February 28, 2026, we will gather for our 5th Anniversary Liberation Gala, an evening of inspiration, culture, and commitment. This year’s keynote speaker is the extraordinary Dorothy Roberts, award-winning author of Torn Apart, whose groundbreaking work calls us to imagine a world where families and communities thrive free from systemic harm.
Celebrating Our Growth
For five years, the Institute for Black Justice (IBJ) has stood as a beacon of advocacy, courage, and community empowerment. We exist to confront systemic inequities, to uplift Black and marginalized families, and to build pathways toward a justice system rooted in equity and accountability. Thousands of lives have been touched through our legal advocacy, community programs, and bold vision for transformation.
Live Entertainment
The evening will also feature live entertainment, including dynamic performances in music, dance, and art that showcase the power, resilience, and creativity of our community. Guests will enjoy an atmosphere of elegance and inspiration while connecting with allies committed to building a just and equitable society.
KEYNOTE: DOROTHY ROBERTS
Dorothy Roberts is the 14th Penn Integrates Knowledge Professor, the George A. Weiss University Professor of Law & Sociology, and the Raymond Pace & Sadie Tanner Mossell Alexander Professor of Civil Rights at University of Pennsylvania. She is also the founding director of the Penn Program on Race, Science, and Society. An internationally acclaimed scholar, activist, and social critic, she has written and lectured extensively on the interplay of gender, race, and class in legal issues concerning reproduction, bioethics, and child welfare. Her latest book, TORN APART is about how the child welfare system destroys black families and how abolition can build a safer world.