Social Justice Festival

A two-day celebration of stories from multiple disciplines that build community, manage conflict, and explore identity. This highly experiential festival is an academic ritual at Buffalo State and includes workshops, performances, and art exhibits that challenge, teach, and explore diverse social and personal justice topics.

The Anne Frank Project is a program of Buffalo State University.

The 2025 festival will share ways in shaping a more just, welcoming, and connected community; Belonging.

ATTEND

We are thrilled to host our 17th annual social justice festival, AFP 2025: Belonging Begins Here - October 8 & 9, 2025!

As we face evolving social issues, our power lies in partnership—sharing our ideas and knowledge and creating spaces where everyone can thrive. A sense of belonging is crucial to one’s wellbeing, fostering positive relationships, increasing motivation and resilience, and a precursor to academic success. It isn’t passive. It doesn’t happen in silence. It isn’t some forgettable byproduct of ‘woke’ propaganda. It begins when we recognize that diverse voices are not only welcomed but essential. Where justice is not only discussed, but embodied. Where community means more than proximity—it means connection, care, and collaboration; all important 21st century skills.

Belonging is not just a value—it’s a foundation. It’s rooted in Buffalo State’s mission and commitment to access, identity, and social justice through education, and community engagement both locally and internationally. Reflecting this commitment, we invite you to be part of that beginning by attending AFP 2025: Belonging Begins Here.

Here is a tentative schedule of events for AFP 2025: Belonging Begins Here.

PROGRAM

Wednesday, October 8, 2025 – Buffalo State University

  • AFP Welcome 10:00–11:50 PM | Social Hall, Campbell Student Union

    Kicking off the festival with a welcoming remarks and building a belonging story to set the stage for the two-day festival.
    Presenters: Interim President, Bonita Durand, Professor Drew Kahn, Jonise Hall

    • You Belong Here: Zine Workshop 11:30AM–1:00 PM | Assembly Hall, Campbell Student Union

      Make your own mini magazine while exploring what belonging means to you. Learn about the history of zines in social justice movements and create a personal zine to share your story.
      Presenter: Julie Setele

    • Sophia’s Legacy Holocaust, Genocide and Conflict Education in the Classroom 12:00–1:30 PM | Social Hall, Campbell Student Union

      Engage in lessons from Sophia’s Legacy program, which shares tools in bringing challenging topics into the classroom, inspired by the powerful story of Holocaust survivor, Sophia Veffer.
      Presenters: Dr. Andrew Hashey, Leigh-Anne Hendrick, Jeanette Koncikowski

    • MHA Mental Health Fair 1:30–3:00 PM | Assembly Hall, Campbell Student Union

      This hands-on session exploring fun social-emotional games and sensory crafts that support mental well-being. Participants will leave with creative tools to manage stress and boost resilience.
      Presenters: Nicole Shields, MHA’s Youth Peer Advocates

    • Writing Our Way Together: Nurturing Belonging 2:00–3:30 PM | Social Hall, Campbell Student Union

      Learn how to facilitate a shared sense of belonging through experiencing an intuitive writing circle that uses check-ins, mindfulness, and authentic encouragement to build trust and connection.
      Presenter: Hy Carrel

    • Find Your Voice! Advocating for Your Rights 3:05–4:20 PM | Assembly Hall, Campbell Student Union

      Feeling overwhelmed by injustice? In this interactive session, you’ll explore creative ways to advocate for what matters most to you and leave with a toolkit of strategies to raise awareness and spark community change.
      Presenter: Dr. Kimberley Zittel-Barr

    • Voicing the Unheard: Belonging and Liberation 4:00–5:30 PM | Social Hall, Campbell Student Union

      Through music, reflection, and interactive activities, participants will examine silenced voices, the systems that shape them, and how communities can foster true belonging and liberation.
      Presenter: Dr. Ho Eui Holly Bewlay

    • Lyrically Healing: A Poetic Journey to Belonging 5:00–6:30 PM | Assembly Hall, Campbell Student Union

      An immersive workshop using poetry, storytelling, movement, and art to explore belonging and healing. Guided by the 9 Divine Principles, participants will reflect, create, and co-write a collective poem that affirms joy, voice, and community.
      Presenter: Ash Watson

    • Remarkable Rwanda Stories 6:00–7:30 PM | Social Hall, Campbell Student Union

      Enjoy interactive presentations by our 13th student delegation who traveled to Rwanda over the summer.

Thursday, October 9, 2025 – Buffalo State University

    •  Trauma Healing & Restorative Practices 10:50AM–12:05 PM | Social Hall, Campbell Student Union

      This workshop introduces restorative, trauma-healing practices to reconnect with our Core Self—the wise, good, and powerful part of each of us. Through small group circles and reflection, participants will explore strategies for healing, healthy relationships, and belonging.
      Presenter: Andrew Prinzing Presented by the Criminal Justice Department

    •  The Ethics of Us: Philosophy, Responsibility, and Belonging 10:50AM–12:05 PM | Campbell Student Union 419

      This session explores how ethical frameworks shape our understanding of belonging as a moral responsibility. Through discussion and interactive activities, participants will reflect on fairness, community, and justice as essential to campus life.
      Presenters: Matthew Karovski & Glasha Zinenko

    • Living Library 12:15–1:30 PM | Social Hall, Campbell Student Union

      In this interactive session, attendees “borrow” human “books” from diverse and marginalized backgrounds for open conversations. These dialogues foster empathy, understanding, and connection across differences.
      Presenters: Eugene Harvey, Justin Crossfox, Julie Setele

    • AFP Exhibition: Belonging Begins Here 12:15–1:30 PM | Czurles-Nelson Gallery & Bacon Gallery, Upton Hall

      Art exhibition centered on belonging, in any and all of its understandings.

    • Building and Sustaining a Sense of Community at Buffalo State 1:40–2:55 PM | Social Hall, Campbell Student Union

      In this interactive session, you’ll take the Sense of Community Index 2 (SCI-2) to reflect on your own experiences, and discover your role in shaping a strong, inclusive, values-driven community at Buffalo State.
      Presenters: Dr. Kelly Frothingham, Dr. Wendy Patterson, Provost & VP for Academic Affairs, Dr. Amitra Wall

    • Belonging and Academic Success: African American Male Voices 1:40–2:55 PM | Campbell Student Union 419

      This session uses the Socio-Ecological Outcomes (SEO) Model and a student panel to explore how belonging, campus climate, and support systems shape African American male students’ academic success.
      Presenter: Michael Heflin, Ph.D. Candidate

    • Reimagining Africana Studies as a Collective Space for Belonging 3:05–4:20 PM | Social Hall, Campbell Student Union

    • Join students, faculty, and neighbors in a hands-on dialogue to explore what a more connected, community-rooted Africana Studies program looks like. Add your voice to the “Belonging Board” and co-create a vision for justice and belonging.
      Presenters: Dr. Marcus D. Watson, Professor Naila Ansari Carbonell Catilo

    • Connecting Cultures: The Dreamcatcher Project 3:05–4:20 PM | Campbell Student Union 419

      Experience Haudenosaunee traditions through storytelling and the collaborative creation of a cedar dreamcatcher. Open to all, this session explores belonging, sustainability, and our shared connections.
      Presenter: Lorinda John

    • They Not Like Us: The Social Neuroscience of Belonging 4:30–5:45 PM | Social Hall, Campbell Student Union

      This session explores the psychological and neural mechanisms that underlie “us vs. them” attitudes, prejudice, and the human need to belong. It examines how these dynamics emerge and considers strategies for reducing intergroup barriers and fostering connection.
      Presenter: Dr. Gehan Senthinathan

Students taking part in an activity during the Social Justice Fesival at the Anne Frank Project

Since its inception in 2009, our Social Justice Festival has explored underpinnings of humanity.

HISTORY

Through our Social Justice Festival, we’ve led brave and deep explorations of issues like shared humanity, social responsibility, defining inclusion, community engagement, mental health, systematic racism, the roots of Genocide, innovations in education, and personal healing. With an emphasis on doing, the festival is part of student coursework, connecting them to experts, artists, and leaders from around the globe who facilitate the interactive sessions. 

Click below to download and explore past festival programs.

The cover of the Social Justice Program for 2024
The cover of the Social Justice Program for 2023
The cover of the Social Justice Program for 2022
The cover of the Social Justice Program for 2021
The cover of the Social Justice Program for 2020
The cover of the Social Justice Program for 2019
The cover of the Social Justice Program for 2018
The cover of the Social Justice Program for 2017
The cover of the Social Justice Program for 2016
The cover of the Social Justice Program for 2015
The cover of the Social Justice Program for 2014
The cover of the Social Justice Program for 2013
The cover of the Social Justice Program for 2012
The cover of the Social Justice Program for 2011
The cover of the Social Justice Program for 2010
The cover of the Social Justice Program for 2009