Six Open Society Institute – Baltimore Community Fellows joined Open Society Foundations’ 2018 Soros Justice Fellows and alumni Fellows in New Orleans for a conference to showcase the work of the Soros Fellows past and present, participate in a series of presentations and tours related to justice work in New Orleans and around the country, and to network with people doing similar work in different areas.
Two 2017 OSI-Baltimore Fellows, Munib Lohrasbi and Alex Long, joined alumni Fellows Gianna Rodriguez (2016), Jacqueline Robarge (2002), Renita Seabrook (2014), and Jessica Turral (2010) at the conference.
This was Seabrook’s third time at the conference. “I always find the Soros Fellowship Conference to be fulfilling in my spirit,” she said. “To be in the same space with all these like-minded social justice advocates is very enriching, which continuously challenges me to take my program and ideals to the next level, providing opportunities for all. “
It was the second time for Turral. “The energy and ability to be in the presence of so many freedom fighters helped to destroy the fear that was rising up inside of me as I begin my new journey of creating a platform for people of African descent to demand liberation from oppression,” she said afterwards. “The words of wisdom that I received at this conference encouraged me to fight past my own insecurities linked to my experiences with racism and work towards publishing my work.”
