The Equity & Justice Institute

Lecture Series

The 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 theme of the 2025-26 lecture series is Earth, Equity and Action. This series explores the intersections of science, justice and innovation to build a sustainable and equitable future. Each event will feature leading voices from science, activism, design and community organizing, offering bold ideas and tangible solutions for addressing the climate crisis through an equity lens.

These events are free and open to the public. If you are not a member of the Crossroads community and you would like to be notified of upcoming Lecture Series events, please click here.

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Our Sustainable LA: Equity, Action and the Road Ahead

Join us for the first event in this year’s programming, "Our Sustainable LA: Equity, Action and the Road Ahead," featuring Chief Sustainability Officer for LA County Dr. Rita Kampalath. This event will ground the series in local climate action, equity and community engagement, highlighting how science, justice and innovation converge to create a thriving, sustainable future for Los Angeles.

ABOUT THE SPEAKER
Dr. Rita Kampalath joined the County of Los Angeles’s Chief Sustainability Office in June 2017 as a sustainability program director for the office. She supports development and implementation of the County’s first sustainability plan, in addition to providing policy support for other County sustainability-related initiatives. In May 2022, she was appointed acting chief sustainability officer and in August 2023 became the official chief sustainability officer. Prior to joining the County, Rita was the science and policy director of the nonprofit Heal the Bay where she oversaw advocacy and research projects related to water quality and water resources, and guided the development of Heal the Bay’s positions on a wide range of policy issues. Before joining Heal the Bay, Rita worked for Geosyntec Consultants on a range of water quality projects, primarily focusing on stormwater. Rita received a B.S. in chemical engineering from Columbia University, and an M.S. in chemical engineering and a Ph.D. in civil/environmental engineering from UCLA.

DETAILS
Wednesday, Oct. 15
6-8 p.m.
Crossroads School for Arts & Sciences
Roth Hall—21st Street Campus
1714 21st St., Santa Monica CA, 90404

This event is free and open to the public.
Register Here

Lecture Series

Event Recordings

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Art & Activism in the LGBTQ+ Community

On May 11, 2023, the Crossroads School Equity & Justice Institute hosted a moderated talk with a diverse panel of LGBTQ+ activists, advocates and artists who discussed the role of art, spectacle and creative expression in the movement for LGBTQ+ rights.

Watch Recording
Elizabeth Ito

On April 17, 2023, the Crossroads School Equity & Justice Institute welcomed writer and director Elizabeth Ito to campus to discuss the inspiration behind her Peabody-Award winning children’s animated Netflix series, “City of Ghosts.” The show celebrates Los Angeles’ diverse neighborhoods while exploring subjects including language, Indigenous cultures, gentrification, tradition and family.

Watch Recording