2026 is the Southern Center’s 50th Anniversary. We are celebrating, remembering, and fortifying for the future! Be part of it all by joining us for conversations and events all weekend long!

Our history is our legacy, and it compels us forward. Join us for a reunion of advocates, leaders, and clients who have shaped the fight for human rights in the South.

Together, we will learn about the issues facing our communities and recommit ourselves to the fight for a world free from mass incarceration, the death penalty, the criminalization of poverty, and racial injustice.

From April 30 through May 2, we’ll gather for a full weekend of events:

• Welcome Reception | April 30 | SCHR Office
  • An opportunity to visit SCHR’s office for light refreshments and brief remarks about the power of 50 years, including an art display with original pieces by SCHR’s clients.
• Decriminalizing Race and Poverty Symposium | May 1 | GSU College of Law
  • Featuring keynote speakers Stephen B. Bright, law professor, celebrated civil rights attorney, former director of SCHR, and co-author of The Fear of Too Much Justice: Race, Poverty, and the Persistence of Inequality in the Criminal Courts; Isabel Wilkerson, Pulitzer Prize winner and author of the critically-acclaimed bestsellers The Warmth of Other Suns and Caste; and SCHR leaders Terrica Ganzy, Atteeyah Hollie, Patrick Mulvaney, and Tiffany Roberts. Topics include challenges to justice and innovative solutions to address the intersection of race and poverty within the criminal legal system.
• Justice Taking Root | May 1 | The Foundry at Puritan Mill
  • Justice Taking Root is SCHR’s annual Georgia benefit. Join us for drinks, dinner, a live auction, dancing and entertainment by I LOVE THIS BAND, as we celebrate 50 years of impact and raise much-needed funds to support SCHR’s mission. Individual tickets to Justice Taking Root are $250.00 per person. Sponsorships begin at $1,000 (for 2 tickets).
• Golden Jubilee Festival | May 2 | Magnolia Hall at Piedmont Park
  • The weekend will culminate in a joyous reunion full of food, games, and activities at the historic Piedmont Park. Performances include a live set from DJ Wally Sparks, a special “salsa as self-care” experience led by Anana Harris Parris, founder of Self Care Agency, and music by Cubana Song and Music in Common. All are welcome for a day for justice advocates to come together in community, reflect, and build joyful connection. Tickets start at just $25 (free for children).