The Heretic Collective Summit is a programming event that highlights essential conversations, such as Literacy, Justice Reform, and Inclusion & Representation in filmmaking. From panels with award-winning filmmakers and experts on the topics at hand, the Heretic Summit showcases a need for entertainment that highlights social impact.
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Schedule Last Updated June 9, 7:00 AM EDT
Please note: Scheduling is ongoing and is subject to change without notice.
Get to know the other attendees
Heretic Collective’s Burton Ritchie lays out the strategy for the Summit and highlights the success from Park City's Summit with David Olson of Retro Report, Arouet's Kim Thomas, Hill for Literacy's Benjamin Scherz, and Ailish McDermott and Alexandria Chalonec from The Writing Revolution.
A conversation about the connection between reading failure, systemic inequity, and incarceration — and how literacy can change life trajectories, particularly for Black and Brown communities. Experts Dr. Leah Austin, Malcom Mitchell, and Clarice Jackson
. Join us for a robust discussion about the unexpected success story of comprehensive systems-change to fully integrate evidence-based practices into Educator Preparation in one of the most complex states in the country. Literacy Academy Collective Co-Founder Ruth Genn, Director of External Affairs & Strategy Emily Hellstrom, Journalist/Filmmaker Anna Toomey, Meisha Porter, and Katie Pace Miles.
Tina Stine, Director of Programs at the Arouet Foundation, Joan Schumann, and Burton Ritchie will discuss the way our education systems break down and impact our most vulnerable.
A conversation exploring how education, health, justice, and community systems must work together to create better outcomes and unlock human potential for every child. Experts: Jaqueline Rodriguez; Melina Uncapher, Angelica Infante-Green, Talia Milgrom-Elcott, and Darci Burns
Justice reform leaders including Jesse Crosson, Andre Vitale of Gideon's Promise, Retro Report’s David Olson, and Louise Baigelman discuss the inseparable link between education and incarceration, and how literacy, academic advancement, and reentry support can create pathways to opportunity for formerly incarcerated individuals.
Educational Neuroscientist; Melina Uncapher, Kristina Wildeveld, Human Rights & Justice Advocate, Kim Thomas, and Criminal Justice Reformer, Kobie Flowers discuss how our failure to treat mental illness is premeditation for the criminal outcomes that occur.
Moderated by Kari Kurto, learn the story behind Indian River County's incredible literacy turnaround, with actress, singer, and dancer Lucy Martin, and the Learning Alliance's Barbara Hammond and Liz Woody-Remington.
How can music, comics, and storytelling help young people find their voice, build literacy skills, and shape their identity? Featuring Homeboy Sandman (hip-hop artist), Joe Schmidt (Civics for All, NYC Public Schools), and Greg Pak (award-winning comic book writer and filmmaker).
Join NFL champion and literacy advocate Malcom Mitchell for an intimate fireside chat with Hill for Literacy's Benjamin Scherz.
End your evening with a night of national headliner comics and cocktails comedy show!
Jon Rudnitsky, Liz Glazer, Harrison Greenbaum, and Pete Lee.
Please note: Scheduling is ongoing and is subject to change without notice.
Meet with the other attendees
How do we rethink literacy advocacy? By understanding it as a health responsibility, too. Panel includes Benjamin Scherz, Cyndi Weekes Bradley, New York State Assembly Member Bobby Carroll, and Jasmine Dean, moderated by Debbie Meyer.
The Arouet Foundation's Director of Community Impact Kim Thomas talk with Louise Baigelman, and Joan Schumann from Northern California Literacy Coalition discuss what happens after incarceration—and why outcomes don't always match the story.
Two-time Emmy Award-winning filmmaker Rudy Valdez, and Retro Report's Kyra Darnton. Panel moderated by Carey Swanson.
Advocates and education experts Brett Tingley, Clarice Jackson, Anna Toomey, and Meghann Bierly share how parents impact change in public schools.
Sam Whitaker, Melina Uncapher, and Meghan Manfra discuss how emerging technologies are reshaping workforce development and creating new pathways to economic mobility, including for justice-impacted individuals.
Literacy experts Dr. Leah Austin, Cindy McGurl, and Jeff Piontek, moderated by Benjamin Scherz, discuss how AI is influencing the next generation of learners.
The Arouet Foundation's Tina Stine, Kristina Wildeveld, and others explain how to empower justice-impacted women to build stable, self-sufficient futures.
Dina Zoleo and Toni-Ann Vroom, Co-CEOs of The Writing Revolution, Brandon Dickens of NIIT, and Rawan Husein, a New York City teacher, share the real story of Judy, an award-winning AI tool that is changing what teachers can do and, by extension, what every student can achieve with strong writing instruction.
Enjoy a special Musical segment from Zach Grann. He's an artist who's using songwriting to help kids with dyslexia find their voices.
How does good advocacy turn into measurable actions? Burton Ritchie, Kyra Darnton, and others discuss.
