From VOiCEup Berks
VOiCEup Berks, in partnership with Alvernia University’s Office of Justice, Equity, and Inclusion, will host Tad Roach of the Equal Justice Initiative (EJI) for a community-wide presentation and discussion on Wednesday, Feb. 18, from 6-8 p.m., at Francis Hall, Alvernia University, 401 Zygmunta Ln.
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.
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.
In addition to the evening community event, VOiCEup Berks is 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.”
“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.”
The Feb. 18 evening 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.
About VOiCEup Berks
Founded in 2016 as a fund of the Berks County Community Foundation, VOiCEup Berks mobilizes and empowers young changemakers to shape more equitable communities through service-learning. Its flagship youth engagement program, Youth Volunteer Corps of Reading, engages youth ages 11 to 18 in meaningful service projects that address community needs while fostering leadership, life, and career skills. For young adults ages 18 to 24, VOiCEup’s Generation Impact initiative offers service-learning opportunities, volunteer experiences, and professional networking designed to build leadership capacity and strengthen community ties. For more information about VOiCEup Berks, YVC of Reading, or Generation Impact programs, visit www.voiceupberks.org.
