On Sept. 22, 2026, organizers, educators, students, and movement leaders from across the country gathered virtually to celebrate Rev. James Lawson’s 98th birthday, one of the nation’s foremost architects of nonviolent social change. Hosted by the Strategic Nonviolence Academy in partnership with the James Lawson Institute at Vanderbilt University, the John Lewis Center for Social Justice at Fisk University, the UCLA Labor Center, and other partners, the event, “A Better Way: James Lawson and the Fierce Urgency of Now,” explored what Rev. Lawson’s teachings can offer organizers facing today’s challenges.
Two panel discussions connected Rev. Lawson’s decades of movement experience with the urgent questions facing organizers today.
Lessons from Rev. Lawson’s Strategic Approach
The first panel featured Dr. Sekou Franklin of Fisk University, Dr. Taure Brown of Vanderbilt University’s James Lawson Institute, and Emely Rauda of the UCLA Labor Center’s Nonviolence Education Project. Together, they reflected on the enduring relevance of Rev. Lawson’s approach to organizing and movement building.
A central theme throughout the discussion was the importance of strategy. Panelists emphasized that Rev. Lawson viewed nonviolence not simply as a moral philosophy, but as a disciplined method for creating social change. Effective movements, they noted, require careful planning, power analysis, creativity, and sustained commitment. Panelists also highlighted Rev. Lawson’s insistence on remaining focused rather than reactive. In an era often characterized by rapid responses to crises, his teachings remind organizers to think long term, build collective power, and develop campaigns capable of achieving transformative change.
The Importance of Intergenerational Organizing
A second panel featuring Dr. Zoharah Simmons, Lorie Bryant, and Troy Sheppard focused on intergenerational collaboration and the future of movement work.
Panelists discussed the importance of creating meaningful relationships between younger and older organizers, sharing lessons from decades of activism while remaining open to new ideas and approaches. The conversation acknowledged challenges that can arise when established organizations seek to connect with emerging leaders, but participants emphasized that meaningful collaboration requires mutual respect, listening, and shared purpose. Throughout the discussion, speakers returned to a common theme: everyone has a role to play in creating social change. Whether through leadership, education, community building, or direct action, movements become stronger when they create space for people of all ages and experiences to contribute.
Carrying the Legacy Forward
As attendees reflected on Rev. Lawson’s extraordinary life and influence, the event underscored the continued relevance of his teachings. His commitment to strategic nonviolence, collective action, and beloved community remains a powerful guide for those working to build a more just and democratic society.
At a moment when many people feel overwhelmed by the scale of today’s challenges, the discussion offered a timely reminder that lasting change is possible when individuals come together with purpose, discipline, and hope.
