The Holocaust Center is proud to announce the establishment of the Take Action Institute, a passion project dedicated to preparing the next generation of leaders and change agents who are committed to ending all forms of prejudice and bigotry. The institute will officially launch with the Take Action Conference in January, inviting 200 high school students and 200 college students who have self-selected as anti-prejudice and social justice activists.

The Take Action Institute is a membership-based organization that was designed by students in the Central Florida community who recognized a gap in student activism and changemaking. The student leadership planning team has drawn from the barriers they have faced in their own community work to envision and plan a conference that will serve as a resource center so that all high school and college students can acquire the needed skills and tools to enable them to take effective action through social justice projects in their community. Throughout the year, students will be exposed to workshops, mentors, and networking opportunities with experts from Central Florida and around the world.

It is the Holocaust Center’s goal that students in Florida and eventually across the country will look to the Take Action Institute as the go-to hub for resources, knowledge and relationships to support their own social justice and anti-bigotry missions. Over the long term, students and alumni of the program will further collaborate with the Holocaust Center to shape the content and tools the Take Action Institute offers, ensuring they remain relevant with current social movements and events.

Presented by the Ginsburg Family Foundation, the conference will provide 400 students with access to keynote speakers and facilitated sessions led by experts in community organizing, political activism, media training and other relevant fields.

Students will return from the conference with field-tested tools they can use to take action effectively and consciously in their communities.

Keynote Speakers include:

Natalie Warne, who organized more than 150,000 students to help pass legislation through Congress at age 17

Eva Schloss, an inspiring Holocaust Survivor and step-sister to Anne Frank, who provides a unique perspective on resistance and resilience

Prashan De Visser, an activist who founded Sri Lanka Unites to inspire a new generation of peace builders around the world as a teen and today has organizations in twelve countries

Joe Davis, a nationally touring artist, and educator who uses poetry, music, theater, and dance to shape culture