READING, Pa. – VOiCEup Berks, in partnership with Alvernia University’s Office of Justice, Equity, and Inclusion, announced in a press release that they will host Tad Roach of the Equal Justice Initiative (EJI) for a community-wide presentation and discussion.
Officials say the discussion will take place on Wednesday, February 18, from 6 p.m.–8 p.m. at Francis Hall, Alvernia University (401 Zygmunta Lane).
The release says the event is open to the public and intended for community members, educators, students, and anyone interested in justice, equity, and civic engagement. For more information or to sign up, please visit www.voiceupberks.org/calendar.
In addition to the upcoming community event, VOiCEup Berks says they are sponsoring two student-focused presentations by Roach earlier that day, one at Conrad Weiser High School in the morning and another at Wilson High School in the afternoon, extending the reach of EJI’s work to local students and educators.
“This visit came out of a deep belief in the power of education to move people toward justice,” said Andrea Floyd, teacher at Conrad Weiser High School and advisor to VOiCEup’s Youth Volunteer Corps STAR (Stand Together Against Racism) Club. “Our students are hungry for honest conversations about history, equity, and their role in shaping the future. Bringing the Equal Justice Initiative to our schools and community creates a rare and meaningful opportunity for learning that doesn’t end when the bell rings.”
EJI speaker Tad Roach
Courtesy of VOiCEup Berks
“This collaboration would not have happened without Andrea’s vision and persistence,” said Christi Terefenko Executive Director at VOiCEup Berks. “She brings extraordinary awareness and passion for this work to VOiCEup, to her students, and to our broader community, and we are proud to support and amplify that leadership.”
About Equal Justice Initiative (EJI)
EJI is a nationally recognized nonprofit organization founded by Bryan Stevenson, author of Just Mercy, and is dedicated to challenging racial and economic injustice, addressing mass incarceration, and protecting the rights of vulnerable communities. Tad Roach serves as EJI’s Learning Engagement Specialist and works closely with Stevenson to expand education and outreach efforts nationwide, according to the release.
Roach joined EJI in 2022 after a distinguished 24-year career as Head of School at St. Andrew’s School in Delaware. A former English teacher and nationally recognized leader in school culture and learning, he brings more than four decades of experience in education to EJI’s outreach and engagement work. He holds a B.A. from Williams College and an M.A. in English from Middlebury College.