Ruha Benjamin and Alicia Bunton: Imagination (Illinois Tech + Chicago Humanities)

A Professor of African American studies at Princeton University, Ruha Benjamin brings a unique and interdisciplinary perspective to social justice and technology. In her latest work, Imagination: A Manifesto, Benjamin argues that imagination gives us the power to challenge systems of oppression, such as hierarchies created by racism, sexism, and classism. She highlights educators, artists, and activists reflecting new ideas to challenge these worldly problems. Join the famed thinker for a conversation on how imagination can create a world where everyone can thrive.
Ruha Benjamin
Ruha Benjamin is a professor of African American studies at Princeton University, founding director of the Ida B. Wells JUST Data Lab and author of four books, Imagination: A Manifesto (2024), Viral Justice (2022), Race After Technology (2019), and People’s Science (2013), and editor of Captivating Technology (2019). She writes, teaches, and speaks widely about the relationship between innovation and inequity, knowledge and power, race and citizenship, health and justice.
Alicia Bunton
Alicia Bunton is Assistant Vice President, Community Affairs at Illinois Tech and has 17-plus years of experience as an administrator of community-based programs for underserved populations, including the homeless, mentally ill, chemically dependent, and people living with HIV/AIDS. She is a dynamic community planner and leader who has chaired planning groups convened by the City of Chicago and served on national boards. Bunton received a Golden Trumpet Award for outstanding achievement in community relations and the prestigious Edwin J. Shaughnessy Quality of Life Award from the Publicity Club of Chicago. She has since transitioned to academia and directs community affairs at Illinois Tech.