The Younes and Soraya Nazarian Equity & Justice Distinguished Lecture Series is a key feature of the Equity & Justice Institute.
The series helps stimulate dialogue among students, educators and community leaders committed to tackling the problems of racism, poverty, war, environmental degradation, educational inequities, religious persecution, genocide and other forms of injustice. Every year, we feature a guest speaker or film screening that specifically enhances our existing curriculum on the Holocaust and other forms of genocide and/or religious oppression.
The 2022-23 Younes and Soraya Equity & Justice Distinguished Lecture Series will focus on the City of Los Angeles. Drawing from LA’s rich cultural landscape, this year’s speakers will offer thought-provoking talks exploring the City’s history of activism and resilience; the bonds within and between its diverse communities; and the importance of the arts in creating social change.
These events are free and open to the public, thanks to the extraordinary generosity of the Nazarian family. If you are not a member of the Crossroads community and you would like to be notified of upcoming Speaker Series events, please click here.
Elizabeth Ito is an Emmy and Peabody award-winning writer and director. Originally from Santa Monica, Elizabeth attended UCLA and Cal Arts before starting her career in animation, working for companies including Cartoon Network, Dreamworks Animation and Disney TV. Elizabeth has developed, written for and directed numerous shows and short films. Her Cartoon Network short film, “Welcome to My Life,” takes viewers through the experience of a monster navigating feelings of belonging in high school. She is best known for her children’s animated Netflix-series “City of Ghosts,” as well as her work on other hit TV series including “Adventure Time” and “SpongeBob SquarePants.” Elizabeth’s recent project “Mall Stories” is a documentary-style short film that explores the lives of food-court staff members at an eatery called “Atilla the Grilla.”
DATE/TIME
Monday, April 17, 2023 7 p.m.
LOCATION Crossroads School for Arts & Sciences
Joanie Martin Community Room (Norton Campus) 1634 18th St., Santa Monica
The series is an initiative of the Younes & Soraya Nazarian Family Foundation, which supports educational causes in a broad spectrum of institutions and through a wide variety of avenues: academic, public policy, community-based, social and artistic programs in the United States and Israel.
Sadly, Younes passed away in March of 2022. Crossroads is honored that his legacy lives on through the Younes and Soraya Nazarian Equity & Justice Distinguished Lecture Series.