The author of Viral Justice will set the stage for an engaging, action-oriented
Summit on September 10.
WARREN, OHIO—JULY 31, 2024—The Raymond John Wean Foundation is pleased to announce
Dr. Ruha Benjamin as the keynote speaker for its 75th Anniversary Summit on September 10th
at The Grand Resort in Warren. Dr. Benjamin is the Alexander Stewart 1886 Professor of African
American Studies at Princeton University, founding director of the Ida B. Wells Just Data Lab,
and author of several award-winning books, including Viral Justice: How We Grow the World We
Want.
“We are excited to welcome Dr. Ruha Benjamin to the Mahoning Valley,” said Wean Foundation
President Jennifer Roller. “We expect her infectious energy and intentional focus to set the tone
for the day, and for participants to learn from her deep experience in community building and
race equity work.”
Designed to spark ideas, build connections and jumpstart solutions, the Anniversary Summit will
bring together neighborhood, nonprofit, civic and business leaders to address an urgent
community issue utilizing multidisciplinary perspectives to create a collaborative solution.
Participants can expect to learn from content experts and one another, and to contribute their
experiences and good thinking to create a more equitable Mahoning Valley together.
Find more details and register at https://www.weanfoundation.org/wean-foundationanniversary-summit/. The event is at no charge to participants, but space is limited. Please
register by August 23.
Throughout 2024, the Wean Foundation’s is honoring its 75th anniversary through events,
storytelling and other resources, providing opportunities to reflect on progress and recommit to
building community and advancing equity. As part of the celebration, the Wean Foundation
recently launched The Vanguard of the Valley, a series of profiles of residents and community
leaders who are making positive change in the Mahoning Valley every day. Read more at
weanfoundation.org/see-impact.
About The Wean Foundation
Established in 1949, the Wean Foundation is dedicated to community building in the underresourced communities of Warren and Youngstown in Ohio’s Mahoning Valley. The Wean
Foundation leverages a dynamic combination of grantmaking, capacity building, convening and
partnerships to provoke new thinking, strengthen communities and disrupt the status quo to
achieve its vision: empowered residents creating an equitable Mahoning Valley.
Visit weanfoundation.org to learn more.
Media Contact
Kasie Rogers
Associate, Communications
The Raymond John Wean Foundation
krogers@weanfoundation.org
330.394.5600 ext. 109